Basic HTML Version
The Open Shuttle driverless vehicles
supplied by Knapp to agricultural
products supplier, Grene, at the
company’s automated warehouse in
Denmark utilise swarm intelligence to
optimise transport processes.
An international group serving the
industrial, wind power generation
and agricultural sectors, Grene has
operations in Denmark, Sweden,
Norway and Finland, as well
as dealers worldwide. The
Grene Agro division is focused
on the needs of the farming
sector, parks and forestry
organisations. It supplies spare
parts for agricultural vehicles,
farm tools and products for
animal husbandry, all of which
are sold through a dealer
network, either in stores or via
a webshop. Grene Agro holds
more than 100,000 items in
stock and also manufactures
custom-made parts in its own
workshop at the company’s
headquarters in Skjern,
Denmark. With farmers requiring
rapid deliveries of parts and supplies
– especially during key periods, such
as harvesting – Grene’s automated
warehouse offers same-day service,
with orders received in the morning
being delivered to customers before
4pm or the next day before 7am.
Back in 2012, Grene decided on a
comprehensive expansion and retrofit
of its existing warehouse in order to
meet growing demand and become
equipped for multi-channel distribution.
At the heart of the new solution was
Knapp’s OSR ShuttleTM goods-to-
person storage and picking system and,
Swarm intelligence
working alongside it, the Open Shuttle
mini Automated Guided Vehicles
(AGVs), which independently handle
complex transport jobs.
Flexibility
Grene sought a flexible and space-
efficient solution to connect the
various areas of its warehouse. A
static conveyor system was out of
the question, as there were long
distances to be covered and there
was a requirement for clear access
for personnel, forklift trucks and other
transport vehicles. Knapp’s Open
Shuttles have proven to be an ideal
alternative, operating reliably for over 10
hours a day for more than six months.
The three Open Shuttles at the site are
used for a variety of tasks including
replenishment of workstations and
transport of completed parts to the OSR
ShuttleTM for storage.
Rapid installation
The integration of the Open Shuttles
into the existing warehouse was
remarkably quick and easy, with start-
up and training completed in just two
weeks. The user interface for monitoring
the Open Shuttles is designed to be
especially intuitive and user-friendly.
The system can be adapted to changing
logistics needs rapidly too. The customer
can configure everything easily –
including the activation or deactivation
of the Open Shuttles, making changes
to the layout, changing paths, locking
warehouse areas and much more. “The
transport processes can be set
up very quickly and flexibly with
the Open Shuttles,” says Dennis
Pallesen (pictured), Grene’s
Warehouse Manager. “This saves
us time and we can work much
more efficiently. In addition, our
warehouse staff view working
with the Open Shuttles very
positively.”
Swarming safely
The free-moving vehicles work
according to the principle
of swarm intelligence: the
fleet adjusts to the work
requirements and takes care
of tasks independently in the different
areas of the warehouse. The swarm is
where the work is. As well as intelligent
routing, the Open Shuttles ensure safe
movement. Through an innovative
dimension scanner, the Open Shuttle
detects static as well as moving objects
and reacts intuitively. The Open Shuttles
independently plan the fastest route for
their tasks and find alternative routes
when blocked by an obstacle, without
the need for optical or physical aids. This
guarantees safe and flexible interaction
with people and other transport vehicles,
including other Open Shuttles.
48
Logistics Business Magazine | September 2015
WAREHOUSE AUTOMATION