To satisfy the ever increasing need for leaner processes and more flexible production, Kardex developed the LR 35 storage and retrieval solution for small and medium-sized warehouses. Applying the LR 35 Vertical Buffer Module solution to ecommerce, wholesale, industry and electronics etc where a wide range of products are observed, LR 35 can guarantee the essential just-in-time supply of fully picked assembly kits optimising the flow of the assembly process.
Production efficiency has increased dramatically in recent years, and the desire for continued improvements in efficiency will continue for many years to come. While only a few substantial improvements can be achieved in this area, there remains a great deal of potential in the area of production logistics. David Burywood, New Business Director at Kardex Remstar, explains: “The Kardex Remstar LR35 is the first unit in our Vertical Buffer Module family. We listened to our customers and developed a solution in response to the manufacturing industry’s call for intelligent material flow automation, delivering greater flexibility, and better management of a wide range of products.”
Continuous component assembly
The continuous component assembly solution consists of the new Kardex Remstar LR35 with a state of the art, ergonomic turntable for order picking supported by Power Pick Global Smartpick 6000 warehouse management software and an additional LR35, used as interim buffer storage. This configuration of Kardex equipment can be combined with automatic connection to the assembly area. If only a few standard sized bin types are used for storing goods, then the storage volume in the LR35 units can be optimally utilised in terms of depth and height.
Comparing LR35 to a mini-load system or static shelving, the footprint of the dense storage system is between 40% to 60% smaller respectively. This releases valuable floor space for other revenue generating activities. Bins containing assembly parts picked from the first LR35 are transported to the assembly area where they are placed into buffer storage in the second LR 35. Conveyor, trolleys or driverless transport systems can be used to transport the goods from the order picking area to the buffer storage area. Software-assisted batch picking saves even more resources, reducing overheads, when putting together the assembly orders. As soon as a user requests the fully picked assembly sets they are retrieved by a potential second LR35, which working together with conveyor technology ensures just-in-time delivery to the workstations.
75% Greater Throughput
Compared to conventional shelving systems, the new LR35 based, assembly buffer solution increases throughput by up to 75%. All incoming assembly orders can be supplied at short notice but only once all the components are available for picking, removing space consuming bin sitting around the assembly area containing incomplete orders. This wasted floor space and products exposed to damage or loss are a thing of the past.
Picking information on the screen of the Kardex Remstar LR35 supports the operator. The storing process can be done during daily business hours, because the unit has separate openings for storage and picking.
Special Applications Director, Doug Card is convinced: “With the new solution we are responding to the trend in production logistics towards ever smaller units. Manufacturing companies can benefit from space-saving, cost-effective storage and manage an ever wider range of product variants more efficiently.”
To learn more about the LR35 click here or contact Kardex Remstar at info.remstar.uk@kardex.com or call visit our website at www.kardex-remstar.co.uk
