In Katowice, SSI Schäfer is setting up a highly automated logistics center for the «Vehicle Lifetime» division of the automotive supplier Schaeffler in close cooperation with the robot specialists from RO-BER, the SAP experts from SWAN and the robotics and AGV experts from DS Automation.
Fig.: SSI Schäfer
Schaeffler is one of the leading suppliers to the automotive and mechanical engineering industries and has been driving innovation in motion and mobility for over 75 years. This high standard of quality is also evident in the "Vehicle Lifetime Solutions" division, which offers customized repair and service solutions for passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and tractors. The highly automated logistics center in Katowice, Poland, performance enhance
Smart technologies
In Katowice, autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), intelligent robotics, and modern conveyor technology are to be perfectly integrated to guarantee seamless material flows. This presents a challenge, as the installation is taking place in a building that is only 12 meters high. The system is designed to make optimal use of the available space and can be expanded at any time with additional AMR or AGV units.
The centerpiece of the system will be an automated small parts warehouse with over 120,000 storage locations, operating 55 RackBots and 116 RunBots. The RackBots autonomously store and retrieve containers on all the system to the container conveyor technology connect
Wamas Control Center
Directly connected is the destacking area, where an intelligent robotic cell automates the destacking of small load carriers (KLTs) and prepares empty pallets for further transport. The gantry robot used for this purpose is implemented by RO BER. Key advantages of gantry robots include gentle product handling, consistent performance – regardless of product size and weight – and relieving employees of physically demanding tasks.
Small parts AGVs flexibly supply ergonomic workstations, while pallet AGVs handle the efficient transport of large load carriers. These driverless transport systems are supplied by the AGV specialists DS Automotion. The autonomously operating transport systems are therefore a key component of the value chain. For seamless integration into warehouse organization, the driverless transport systems can be individually adapted to different applications and areas of use.
Perfectly orchestrated
With its new, highly automated warehouse, Schaeffler relies on state-of-the-art control through SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM). The successful implementation is the result of a close partnership between Schaeffler's expert teams and SWAN GmbH. While Schaeffler develops the customized business logic in the Warehouse Management System – the core of SAP EWM – SWAN ensures intelligent material flow control within SAP.
This also includes the seamless integration of all technical interfaces to the sub-systems, including conveyor technology, automated small parts storage, and AGV fleets. The complex system is controlled and monitored by a central information platform: The WAMAS Control Center ensures complete transparency, coordinates material flows, and provides key performance indicators for optimization and maintenance. The result: a perfectly orchestrated intralogistics solution that combines efficiency, precision, and future-proofing.
The system is therefore easily scalable and ensures optimal availability for Schaeffler: "For us , it was crucial to combine maximum efficiency with the greatest possible flexibility," explains Jörg Zellerhoff, Warehouse Engineering Logistics Techn. at the Schaeffler Group. "The new distribution center enables us to react particularly quickly to changing market demands ."
Jörg Zellerhoff sees the new facility in Katowice as a prime example of modern logistics: "Here we are demonstrating how state-of-the-art technologies can be combined to form a harmonious overall system." With their combined experience and innovative strength, Schaeffler and SSI Schäfer were already certain at the start of the project: The distribution center in Katowice is intended to become an important component of Schaeffler's global logistics strategy – and another milestone in a strong partnership.
