Automatic storage and retrieval

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Automatic storage and retrieval

Automatic storage and retrieval

Articles
Jun 07,24

Many might assume that Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS) are exclusively used in warehouses and stores. However, Autosys has innovatively expanded the application of ASRS beyond these traditional uses, implementing it in a variety of other areas. This versatility provides a competitive edge to customers who adopt these advanced solutions.

Batching

Like in brake linings, food and pharma, multiple ingredients must be weighed and batched as per a recipe. Even the addition of each raw material to a common hopper should be done in a specified sequence.

A typical production product-run, may require 16-18 raw materials, which are in turn chosen from 100s of possible raw materials that are available in stores.

A vertical carousel based system stores all the required raw materials in individual bins in their designated locations. The set of raw materials required for a particular schedule will first be moved from their storage location to the batching location and arranged in their proper sequence as per the recipe.

Another batching trolley will automatically go to each bin, and the required weight of that material will be fed into a weigh hopper and the sequence repeats for all the materials in the recipe. The batched quantity is then automatically transported to the mixer and discharged.

When the production schedule is changed, the materials required for the next product are rearranged. The unwanted bins are returned to the VC-ASRS and the required bins are fetched. Bins of various sizes (for example small quantity bins and large quantity bins) can be integrated into a single system. The changeover from one product to another can happen seamlessly and without any delay.

Raw material filling

The VC-ASRS also provides a separate filling and pick-up station for refilling the raw material into the respective bins. The bags issued by stores are scanned (using barcode scanner) and the corresponding bins are brought to the filling location. After the bins are filled, they are taken back to the storage location.

Tools and molds

Tools and molds used in various industries like machine tools, press, foundries etc., have the same problem of a wide variety. These must be stored safely, fetched when required and returned to storage after use. A vertical carousel based asrs is ideal for such requirements as it saves time, eliminates mistakes and ensures automatic traceability.

Warehouse inventory retrieval

When we have a large number of SKUs to be managed in a small storage space, vertical racks are the ideal choice. But manual retrieval and restocking would be challenging due to the vertical heights and limited manoeuvring space. An automated vertical carousel system can make maximum utilisation of available space and the storage bins can be brought out with extreme precision and ease, both for stock retrieval and restocking.