Jungheinrich and the Bilstein Group have worked closely together on a solution concept to further develop automation in the Bilstein Group's logistics. The focus is on the integration of the Automomous Mobile Robots (AMR) EAE 212a. "This is the first use of autonomous mobile robots in the Bilstein Group and, in addition to our picking robots, is another important step towards process automation," says Phillipp Becker, Site Manager Bilstein Group Gelsenkirchen. "In particular, efficiency gains and the possibility of using our well-trained forklift drivers in more complex transport tasks have motivated us to get involved in this topic."

Share of empty runs minimized

Alexander Korell, Sales Mobile Robots, Jungheinrich, adds: "The AMR on display at Logimat 2024 impressed the Bilstein Group, allowing planning to begin for the implementation of an EAE 212a fleet. The subsequent proof-of-concept project was successfully completed in September 2024. Commissioning of the system at the Gelsenkirchen site is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2025."

In the first step, the EAE-212a pallets used are transported over a distance of 220 meters to the staging areas of the outgoing goods department. Jungheinrich's Logistics Interface, which has been individually set up for the process, manages the transport orders and forms the interface to the customer's Warehouse Management System (WMS). The mobile robot system receives unique transport orders from the WMS, which are processed according to the principle of minimizing the proportion of empty runs. The WMS manages the occupancy of the pick-up and drop-off locations.

Agile ground-to-ground transportation

The EAE 212a is designed for the automation of low-lift inserts and is therefore suitable for the supply and disposal of incoming and outgoing goods lanes. Thanks to its Jungheinrich patented chassis design, it is only 790 mm narrower than a Euro pallet. This enables maneuverable and agile floor-to-floor transport at speeds of up to 6 km/h. The vehicle is capable of transporting loads weighing up to 1.2 tons. The EAE 212a navigates entirely without artificial landmarks. Complex preparation measures in the warehouse are therefore not necessary.