As part of the installation of a new factory for drivetrain components in Kapfenberg (Austria), Pankl chose the flexible shuttle technology from KNAPP for the automation of the small parts warehouse with work station supply. Pankl develops, manufactures and sells engine and drivetrain systems as well as chassis parts for racing cars, high-performance vehicles and the aerospace industry. The new manufacturing site for high-performance motorcycle gearboxes including the new storage system, will start operation in 2017.
“We opted for the concept from KNAPP because it’s clear that the core components of the system have been carefully thought through and are technically sophisticated. Another crucial factor was the extremely productive cooperation during the concept phase. The project engineers and product managers were quick to grasp our unique requirements and went on to develop excellent solutions,” explains Stefan Zinner, Series Production Manager at Pankl.
Scalable shuttle system
The new solution consists of an automated YLOG-Shuttle-System connected to three work stations. The YLOG-Shuttle system is perfectly scalable to adapt to company growth and guarantees high availability. The diverse and extensive range of toothed wheels and shafts manufactured by Pankl will soon be stored across 4,300 storage locations. Afterwards, they will be supplied to the assembly work stations according to the goods-to-person principle.
Traceability
At the ergonomic workstations from the Pick-it-Easy series especially adapted for Pankl, a safety check comprising three different steps will be carried out to ensure that each part can be traced, should this be necessary at a later stage. The individual parts will be supplied to the work station in the correct sequence and the staff will be instructed by Pick-to-Light to remove the correct article. The serial number is read using image recognition technology, identifying the part removed. What’s more, the assembly process is verified using image pattern recognition technology from the KNAPP subsidiary ivii GmbH.
Stefan Zinner has high expectations of the new technology: “For us, the KNAPP system is a pioneering solution leading the way towards Industry 4.0, which goes far beyond the classic requirements of warehouse logistics. It involves value-adding interaction between man and machine. The staff carry out assembly tasks that require technical skill and are supported in these tasks by an image processing system.”
The KNAPP Group, headquartered in Hart bei Graz, Austria, operates internationally in the field of warehouse automation and warehouse logistics software. KNAPP is a leading global provider of all-in-one intralogistics solutions and automated storage systems, and has specialized in the core sectors pharma, fashion, retail, food retail and industry. Having an export rate of 98 percent, KNAPP supports customers around the world and thanks to its network of 30 different subsidiaries, KNAPP guarantees optimal customer care.
About KNAPP Industry Solutions
KNAPP Industry Solutions, headquartered in Dobl, Austria, is the specialist for tailor-made solutions for industry, manufacturing and distribution logistics within the KNAPP Group. With its scalable shuttle solutions such as the Open Shuttle and the YLOG-Shuttle system, the company has technology at its disposal that offers new possibilities with regard to flexibility and availability in the industrial environment.