Quick ROI promised
June 1st 2011 The Auto Cruiser and Order Verifier from SSI Schaefer are designed to help bring levels
of automation to the warehouse that are simple to implement and bring quick ROI
SSI Schaefer's independent Auto Cruiser is designed to close
the gap for internal transport between fork-lift transport
and conveyor technology. It is said to increase efficiency,
cut costs by 50% and deliver energy savings of more than 80%.
With an optimum performance of up to 600 transport units per
hour, the system is designed for applications with small and medium
throughputs, for example in production, disposal, processing
returns, handling special items or deliveries for finishing processes.
The scalable transport system basically consists of an
autonomous, self-propelled transport carrier, designed to transport
600 x 400mm standard containers, boxes or individual items,
including a robust track network supplied with loading units.
The system has components for straight lines, curves and points
allowing the conveyor to be flexibly adapted to the existing
circumstances. The operator is therefore free to plan the length and
routes of the Auto Cruiser's track network. This Auto Cruiser setup
means that various processing stations, building areas, production
facilities, the warehouse and sales areas can be linked up perfectly.
The standard version transports individual loads of up to 30kg.
Other than a power supply using standard socket connections,
nothing else needs to be connected to the IT and/or conveyor
infrastructure. The robust vehicles have their own drive and energy
source, eliminating the need for an extra central control unit.
The goods are transferred to the transport carrier on universal
loading platforms. At the same time, the vehicle receives a card
containing the destination station in barcode form. Transport is
started by pressing a release button. During transport, the
destination card's barcode is recorded automatically to ensure
that the points are set correctly. Definitions for the respective
points position are set when commissioning the system. This is
simply a matter of reading in barcode details and requires no
complicated programming. The
operator is free to choose the
transport's destination and
stopping points. Another special
feature is the energy supply. The
transport carrier is fitted with a
rechargeable battery which is
energised by charging devices
located in the track. If power
levels fall, the vehicles slow down
and interrupt their journey to
re-charge their energy levels at a
charging device on a free track.
However, the charge cycles
which run during loading and
unloading stops usually supply
the transport carriers with
sufficient energy. Once the
vehicles reach the destination
station and have unloaded their
goods, they are given a new
destination card.
A typical Auto Cruiser system
costs less than a third of
conventional conveyor technology, says Schaefer.
Every distribution warehouse wants to ship goods accurately and
with perfect documentation. The Order Verifier from SSI Schaefer
includes fully automated, item-by-item checks and documentation
for shipments in a bid to make this possible. Recent developments
in image processing and mechanics provide a solution for
automatically counting, identifying and documenting items.
The module automatically checks complete shipping orders at a
speed of up to 6,000 items an hour.A patent registration has already
been filed for the technology used which raises quality levels in order
picking to that of Six Sigma, in other words an accuracy of more
than 99.999%. In addition, the module for the automated
monitoring process satisfies statutory requirements for track & trace
and forms the basis for extensive shipping documentation and
consistent documentary evidence of origin (Pedigree Law).Not only
does the new system offer wholesale pharmaceutical companies a
powerful tool for complying with increasingly stringent statutory
requirements and automating order-picking checks, it also delivers
outstanding quality management features for virtually every sector.
The items picked into containers for an order are emptied into
the checking station and automatically separated on a conveyor belt
where they are lined up like a string of pearls. The system then
records the barcodes of the individual parts. Any products without
barcodes are captured photographically at a throughput rate of up
to 6,000 items an hour. The industrial image processing technology
used allows the volume, content, expiration date and counterfeit
indicator of all items to be checked. IT compares the information
recorded with the corresponding order details. Once approved, the
station puts the order back together and transfers it to a load carrier.
The recorded item data and photos are saved to the IT system and
stored for documentation purposes so that the customer can be
provided with accurate details of his shipment at any time.
The modular system can be adapted to various product
features without the need for any predefined item databases or
other learning processes. It can also be easily integrated into
various existing system layouts due to the automatic filling point
and modular design. This results in high transparency and
process reliability without any major changes to existing
warehousing processes. The various financial benefits translate
into ROI of less than two years, says Schaefer and range from the
reduction in shipping errors and returns, compliance with
statutory requirements and complete, photo-based
documentation to automation of the monitoring processes. The
system can adapt to 1D or 2D
barcode variants or RFID. More articles from SSI Schaefer Ltd: | 
