PRODUCT REVIEWS
SchwarzwaldEisen stores metal sheets in a separate , manually-operated storage area . Kasto UNICOMPACT 3.0 automated storage system .
Warehouse software
The warehouse management system ( WMS ) KASTOlogic and the intelligent app KASTOlogic mobile , two software solutions from industrial warehouse system manufacturer Kasto , are helping to streamline the operation of automated and manual storage areas at Schwarzwald-Eisenhandel GmbH & Co . KG ( Germany ). They are allowing the steel stockholder to accelerate its processes , minimise error rate and track orders seamlessly .
For about eight years , an automated storage system in Lahr from Kasto ’ s UNICOMPACT 3.0 series has been providing quick and efficient storage and retrieval of solid bar , tube and section of up to six metres in length . The stockholder offers a range of materials consisting of around 10,000 products ( mainly construction steel , stainless steel and aluminium ).
Seventy to eighty per cent of orders for steel section are semi-processed to customers ’ specifications using machine tools in Freiburg . For long stock , the Kasto system supplies material to two removal stations via an operating gantry crane with short access times based on a material-to-operator principle . Sheet material is stored in a separate , manually operated area .
SchwarzwaldEisen uses the eNVenta inventory management system ( IMS ) across all of its sites . The storage system in Lahr is linked to it via an interface created specifically for the purpose , as are two
KASTOlogic mobile app . other automated Kasto storage systems at Karlsruhe and Westerwald in Rhineland-Palatinate . It ensures standardised order management and a high level of inventory transparency . The IMS transfers order data electronically to the KASTOlogic WMS which , in turn , triggers the required material to be called up at the respective site . All processes can be tracked seamlessly , virtually eliminating operational errors .
“ In the past , our manually operated metal sheet warehouses required paper-based management . It was not always easy to locate the required material in the long rows of shelves . Due to the broad product range , staff sometimes removed the wrong sheet or incorrect quantities and the customer did not always receive what was ordered ,” SchwarzwaldEisen explained .
To integrate these storage areas into the intelligent electronic control system , Kasto
engineers assessed the problem and developed a solution to display all storage areas in a standardised and consistent control format . One of the tools used was KASTOlogic mobile , a platform-independent , mobile version of KASTOlogic . The software makes it possible to use the essential functions of the WMS on mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones , independently from the UNICOMPACT ’ s operator panels .
The mobile facility manages the UNICOMPACT automated storage system for long stock and the manually operated metal sheet storage area . Warehouse staff have access to order and product data at any time . When removing sheet , the system directs the operator to the respective storage location and specifies the required quantity .
The shelves have QR and bar codes . When an operator scans one with the mobile device , the material ’ s removal is confirmed and a replenishment order is triggered if the inventory is running low . All information is available both in the WMS and IMS via customised interfaces . The software system is scalable to include other sites as required . Both the storage system and the control system can be serviced remotely . n
. kasto . com
Blank stacker
Automatic Feed Company ( AFCO ) has announced its new EDGE Stacker , designed to transport blanks via an overhead conveyor system and precisely drop them into ice
AFCO Edge Stacker .
cube stacks , regardless of the end use . This stacking system was specifically designed for blanking or cut-to-length lines producing surface-sensitive steel , surface-sensitive Aluminium or blanks for laser welding .
“ The EDGE Stacker is available as a single- or double-station stacker that can be equipped with either switchable permanent magnets , vacuum capability or a hybrid version that includes both . The overhead belt conveyors are servo-driven , providing blank support and precise delivery of parts from the press or shear to the stacking area . A variety of stacking guide options are available to ensure ice cube stacks while protecting surface and edge quality ,” said the manufacturer .
The entire end of line EDGE Stacker typically includes the exit conveyor with sheet lifters , multiple guide assemblies and rotating stacking carts with scissor lifts . This stacker provides numerous modes of operation including Single Stacking for a single stack per station ; Continuous Mode Stacking for nontrapezoidal blanks ; Alternate Mode Stacking for trapezoidal blanks ; Dual Side-by-Side Part Stacking and Dual End-to-End Part Stacking .
Soft Piling ®, a feature developed to protect the parts ’ leading edge , is “ unique to Automatic Feed ’ s motion control .” For an added level of edge protection , Stop & Drop stacking is also available .
The EDGE Stacker can handle material from 0.5mm - 4.0mm thick . Parts can vary from 100mm ( 4 ”) – 4000mm ( 157.5 ”) length and 300mm ( 11.8 ”) – 2134mm ( 84 ”) in width . n
64 | sheetmetalplus . com | ISMR December 2021 / January 2022