"We opted for an implementation partner who, in addition to impressive references, was able to offer a comprehensive range of automation and software systems from a single source," says Managing Director Josef Wagner. "Element Logic impressed us with its interesting expertise and an intelligent solution for our requirements."

Logistics for catalog and online retail

The mail order center of the catalog and eCom company for craft and handicraft items and carnival supplies is completed in the Geratshofen industrial and commercial area in Wertingen. A modern logistics center is being built there on an area of 33,000 square meters with investments in the multi-digit million euro range. Around 20,000 creative items and 8,000 carnival items will be stored there in future for distribution via the catalog and online channels as well as for supplying the branches in Austria, Switzerland and France. The order placed with Element Logic to ensure coordinated, automated and reliable processes for storage and order processing includes the complete intralogistics equipment for the logistics center, excluding forklifts and some manual shelving. The SuPCIS-L8 warehouse management system from Element Logic's subsidiary S&P was also implemented as a comprehensive software solution for process control and warehouse management.

As hardware components, Element Logic installs a comprehensive, precisely tailored conveyor system with a system partner. The system is controlled by the eController and the PLC automation controller from Element Logic. The conveyor technology connects the individual workstations between automatic carton erection, picking in the autostore, manual packing areas, carton sealers and outgoing goods. In addition to scanners and labelers, five case erectors and five case sealers were integrated, two of them with volume reduction.

Storage spaces for 135,000 containers

At the heart of the intralogistics system in the family-owned company's new logistics center is one of the largest autostore systems in Germany. The storage cube, known as the grid, offers storage space for 135,000 containers with side heights of 425 millimetres. On the surface of the grid, 325 R5+ robots ensure fast storage, transfer and retrieval of the bins and their presentation at 40 integrated picking stations. The ports are set up under the Autostore system and connected directly to the conveyor system. Here, picking is carried out from the source containers into shipping cartons. In addition, 17 conveyor ports are integrated into the cube. The Autostore robots use them to transfer the system totes directly to the conveyor system for onward transportation to other connected workstations.

The WMS SuPCISL8 from S&P connects the Autostore via a standard interface and takes over inventory management, material flow and process control. The software retrieves the items from the container warehouse in order-related sequences and controls the dialogs of the connected workstations. System performance can be further increased through prioritization strategies.

"With its dimensions and the intelligent design of the system components, the Autostore system at Buttinette is a proven example of the high level of flexibility offered by Autostore technology," summarizes Joachim Kieninger. "Together with the comprehensive intralogistics automation and the future-proof software solution, the project at the new Buttinette logistics center is another successful showcase project for Element Logic."