Overview
The Dematic Intra-Facility Transport System to and from Production features Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) or Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) to move pallets to and from production equipment. Dematic Warehouse Execution System (WES) software manages the flow of raw materials or components from storage to production equipment and from production equipment to outbound shipping. The AGVs/AMRs provide safe, multi-shift operation with reduced labor costs and highly accurate inventory management.
These systems are ideal for operations that strategically store materials on the factory floor and accommodate delivery to and transport from production for a just-in-time flow.
Typical users include manufacturers of durable goods such as automobiles, trucks, automotive components, appliances, medical devices, construction machinery, agricultural machinery, and electronics. The system is also well suited for consumable products such as paper products, printed materials, food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care items.
Benefits
- Process improvement
- Operational flexibility, real-time control
- Responsive, on-demand continuous flow
- Synchronized material flow paths that reduces response time and delays
- Visibility and insight of operations
System description
The Dematic Intra-Facility Transport System has a pre-engineered, standardized design configuration that ensures predictable performance. Here is the general order of how the system functions:
- The system receives a request for material to be transferred to or from production machinery.
In some systems, the request may be for work-in-process materials to be returned from production and delivered to automated storage. Or in other systems, the request is to bring parts and components to and from kitting workstations. - The AGV or AMR travels to the load pick up site and lifts it.
- The AGV or AMR transports the load to the designated site and drops it at that location.
Note: The throughput rate of the operation determines the number of AGVs or AMRs needed. Simulation models can determine optimal fleet size.
System management
The Dematic Warehouse Execution System (WES) software manages a continuous flow of orders for processing downloaded from the Manufacturing Execution System (MES). The MES indicates the appropriate material required at each production machine.
The Dematic WES software is a scalable logistics software platform responsible for directing, controlling, and synchronizing workflows. It dynamically processes, inventory, labor, and material handling automation in real time.
Warehouse Management System (Host)
- Submit move request
- Inventory control
Move orders
Status and completion
Dematic Warehouse Execution System
- Task management and execution
- Task attributes, priority, changes
- Synchronize and optimize processes
- Put-away location management
- Mobile automation fleet management
- Visibility and insight
AGV/AMR Traffic and Operations Management
- AGV/AMR task management and dispatching
- Traffic control and communications
- Visibility and insight
Comparison
The Dematic Intra-Facility Transport System is more accurate, require less labor to operate, and use less warehouse space than conventional pallet transport systems.
| Manual Transport System | Automated Transport System |
| Manually operated | Automated system (less labor resources required, safer work environment) |
| Manual transport, pick up and drop off | Automated transport, pick-up and drop-off |
| Conventional low-density racking for staging | High-density storage (requires less floorspace) |
| Workforce sets pace for all tasks | WES software sets pace, provides even continuous workflow |
| Potential for issues with meeting production plans | Synchronized with production plan |
| Manual functions prone to errors, inefficient, slow | Optimized workflows |
| Variations in response time for material move requests | Predictable response time for material movement requests |
| Limited visibility, status, and insight | Real-time visibility, status, and insight |