German Forklift truck manufacturer Jungheinrich has launched a wide aisle warehouse navigation module at CeMAT 2011
May 31, 2011
German Forklift truck manufacturer Jungheinrich has
launches its wide aisle warehouse navigation module at CeMAT 2011.
Similar in nature to the navigation system in a car, and also suited to pre-zone operations Junheinrich’s wide aisle warehouse navigation system allows trucks to freely maneuver in the warehouse.
According to Jungheinrich Sales and Marketing Board Member Dr Helmut Limberg the system makes it possible to manage processes outside narrow aisles more efficiently and safely.
“Since the highly successful market launch of the RFID-based narrow aisle warehouse navigation system two years ago, up to 25 percent higher throughput rates are being achieved with the system,” he says.
Navigating in wide aisles differs fundamentally from narrow aisle warehouse navigation.
While the current position of the narrow aisle truck is calculated with RFID technology and transponders set in the floor, the Junheinrich wide aisle navigation module uses a special tracking system.
“Trucks in wide aisles are not guided the same way as in narrow aisles — instead they are freely manoeuvrable,” Limberg explains.
“The basis for the efficient implementation of wide aisle warehouse navigation systems involves the integration of all industrial trucks in the operator’s process chain.
“This includes the haulage and loading of both incoming and outgoing goods.
“The wide aisle navigation system module is simply attached to different Jungheinrich trucks, no matter whether they are reach trucks, order pickers or battery-powered stackers.”
PRECISE TRACKING
Jungheinrich uses an optical tracking system for wide aisle navigation.
This makes it possible to determine the exact position of the truck. Positioning accuracy is within the range of a few centimetres.
The navigation system is built around the Jungheinrich 2475 truck data terminal and the Jungheinrich Logistics Interface. The interface translates the communications from the Warehouse Management System to the language understood by the truck and visa versa.
FUNCTIONALITIES
The Route Management function shows the driver the direction and route — similar to a modern car navigation system.
“For instance, if the driver takes a wrong turn, the Route Management function initially advises him of that,” Limberg says.
“If the driver continues along the ‘wrong’ route, Route Management recalculates it. The aim is to have the forklift reach its destination via the shortest and quickest route.
The Truck Tracking function ensures constant positioning of the truck. Parallel transfer of the tracking information to the Warehouse Management System or Truck Guidance System helps optimise the management and control of the entire truck fleet.
As soon as the driver has reached the destination — for example a position in the warehouse aisle — and initiates the lift function, the Lift-Height Pre-Selector allows automatic extension of the hoist frame until the pallet location pre-set by the Warehouse Management System is reached.
Extra scanning or confirmation of the rack location is no longer necessary.
“The bottom line is that the Route Management functionality, the Lift-Height Pre-Selector and the automatic feedback to the WMS greatly reduce pressure on the driver,” Limberg says.
“Stacking or retrieving goods in or from the wrong rack is now relegated to the past. The application of warehouse navigation in wide aisles will translate into significantly improved process safety in the warehouse and logistics systems.”