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Autostore

AutoStore

This specialist article describes what is behind the automated warehouse system, how it revolutionizes intralogistics and the advantages it provides.

Beatrix Niklaus

Product Managerin

As a product manager, I have been responsible for managing and controlling the portfolio since 2019 and act as an interface between the specialist departments, marketing and sales. Learn more about me.

What is AutoStore?

AutoStore is an innovative and automated warehouse system from Norway, which revolutionizes intralogistics worldwide by combining high storage density with efficient picking. Due to its form and density, it is frequently described as “cube storage” warehouse.

The fastest “goods to person” solution enables enterprises to maximize their storage capacities and accelerate order processing. AutoStore has established itself as a leading technology for automated storage and picking of small parts.

As an alternative to a small parts storage area and in contrast to conventional shelf storage areas, AutoStore does not require any additional space and not necessarily much space between the individual articles either due to its structure.

AutoStore System (Source: AutoStore)

How is an AutoStore system structured and how does it work?

Conventional systems for warehouse automation require space for walkways and driveways through the storage area. An AutoStore system, however, uses a grid structure, whereby this space is saved within the warehouse and the complete available space is utilized in the entire storage height.

The system consists of only five modules: The articles are stored in “bins” that are stacked next to each other as well as on top of each other in an aluminum grid. This stacking principle is similar to that of building blocks. On the grid, robots continuously move on tracks, “dig out” the bins, withdraw them from the grid and take them to “ports” (workstations). The “key pillars” of this procedure are speed, accuracy and efficiency.

  • Grid: the aluminum grid system that serves as a frame and a driveway
  • Bins: the solid plastic containers for storing the goods
  • Robots: the battery-operated robots that move on the grid and transport the containers
  • Ports: the workstations for picking and putaway
  • Controller: the central control unit of the system

The AutoStore robots move on the upper side of the grid at a speed of up to four meters per second and, in doing so, automatically put away the containers and remove them from stock.

Picking takes place at the work centers, which are connected to the existing intralogistics. The controller is the interface for the internal data flow and provides fast access to stock data in cooperation with any warehouse management software.

Modules of an AutoStore system (Source: AutoStore)

What are the benefits of an AutoStore system?

In addition to flexibility, efficiency and scalability, the automatic storage and picking system provides numerous benefits for enterprises. For planning and implementing an AutoStore system, however, the specific requirements and conditions in the warehouse of the respective user must be taken into account to ensure an optimal solution.

  • Space saving and high storage density of the articles
  • High picking speed
  • Flexibility and scalability of all warehouse processes
  • Energy efficiency
  • Reduction of personnel costs
  • Process security due to order-related outsourcing to AutoStore
  • The complete warehouse process changes from a “push” to a “pull” model (goods to person)
  • By staging the goods in the “pull” procedure, unnecessary buffers can be avoided and, subsequently, the efficiency of the
    program run stocks increased
  • Shorter staging times and ways during picking
  • Reduction of personnel required for the walking routes as the goods are taken to the employees
  • Optimal utilization of the existing storage space as the containers are stacked on top of each other
  • More ergonomic workstations are created: stretching, bending down, lifting and walking to get to the desired goods is no longer necessary: at best, a pneumatic lifting device is available for receiving the goods

Where can AutoStore be used?

An AutoStore system is particularly suitable for the following application areas and industry sectors:

  • Industrial companies
  • Transport companies and logistics service providers
  • E-commerce and retail trade
  • Food and beverage industry
  • Automotive industry
  • Pharmaceutical industry and healthcare
  • Fashion, clothing and sports equipment industry
  • Electronics and consumer electronics industry

How do automated storage techniques and SAP EWM harmonize perfectly?

Example of an AutoStore implementation

An advanced logistics hardware application such as AutoStore requires an equally advanced software integration. In addition to AutoStore hardware and an advanced SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) system, an agile, intelligent and highly integrated SAP connection is needed as otherwise AutoStore cannot unfold its added value.

A cosmetics manufacturer has targeted a digitization of its entire storage techniques for automatic and robot-supported storage and picking of small parts. First of all, the existing SAP Extended Warehouse Management system was individualized by adjusting it to its corporate processes. Moreover, an intelligent and highly integrated SAP connection of the AutoStore hardware was implemented into the advanced SAP EWM system. By implementing SAP EWM and the downstream AutoStore connection, it was possible to successfully harmonize the entire storage techniques including SAP connection in such a way that logistical processes could be optimized.

Conclusion

The AutoStore system is an innovative and highly efficient solution for automated storage and picking of small parts. Due to its space-saving construction, high storage density and fast goods movement, it revolutionizes intralogistics and enables flexible scaling in accordance with operational requirements. The seamless integration with SAP EWM ensures optimal control and synchronization of the processes, which significantly increases efficiency and transparency in warehouse management.

AutoStore is particularly suitable for industry sectors with high small parts occurrence such as e-commerce, food, electronics or pharmaceutical industry and can be integrated into various building structures. Thanks to its high availability, energy efficiency and extensibility, it is a future-proof investment, which maximizes storage capacities and reduces personnel costs.

As a whole, AutoStore is a future-oriented solution that raises warehouse logistics to the next level and supports enterprises in optimizing their processes and becoming more competitive.

FAQ – Frequently asked questions

The smallest grids are demo grids with less than one hundred storage locations. The currently largest productive system has 1.2 million AutoStore containers. The largest project request was for 2.7 million containers. This solution is scalable in between.

Yes, the storage and picking solution can be expanded during regular operation. Possible extensions include, for example, additional robots, ports or bins in an existing system. Alternatively, it is also possible to expand the grid itself.

This depends on a number of parameters that vary from project to project (ABC distribution, grid design, positioning of workstations, etc.). The performance or throughput per AutoStore robot is normally between 20 and 60 container movements per hour.

When setting up an AutoStore, the design can be adapted very flexibly to local conditions and environments. Container stacks are placed on the floor in such a way that they are arranged around existing obstacles (columns, pipes, walls, etc.). This avoids the need for any structural measures. As a rule, the levelness of the floor must be checked and established, which must be ensured due to the stack height. However, this can be achieved with relatively little effort.

For a system with a height of 16 bins and a load of 30 kg per bin, the floor must be able to bear a load of 2,000 kg/m².

A modern logistics hardware solution such as AutoStore requires equally advanced software integration. To effectively connect the AutoStore hardware with a modern SAP Extended Warehouse Management (EWM) system, an agile, intelligent and highly integrated SAP connection is required. Otherwise, AutoStore cannot realize its full potential.

AutoStore offers various standard interfaces (APIs) for communication between AutoStore and warehouse management systems (e.g. for picking, putaway and port processes).

These include automation solutions such as

  • Miniloads, i.e. automated storage systems for bins or trays consisting of racks, one or more storage and retrieval machines and warehouse management software that optimize storage capacity and order picking
  • Shuttle systems, i.e. semi-automated high-performance compact storage systems in which an electrically operated shuttle transports the pallets into the rack channels and removes them from there
  • Autonomous mobile robots, i.e. intelligent vehicles for the automation and more flexible organization of the internal material flow in warehouses or
  • hybrid technologies

The global average is 99.7%

AutoStore is a pioneer here: a comparison carried out by a customer shows that AutoStore consumes 10 to 15 percent less energy than miniload systems. A system with 10 robots requires the same amount of energy as a vacuum cleaner.