Becoming the logistics hub for Middle and South Eastern Europe - that was the goal Lenze was pursuing. Therefore, Lenze invested in a new ultra-modern storage and order picking system for state-of-the-art material handling to guarantee perfect customer supplies. Based on a long-lasting partnership, TGW implemented the core element of Lenze's logistics centre in Asten, Austria.
Comprehensive software solution for energy management
TGW was entrusted as general contractor to implement the entire logistics solution within the new building in Asten. Lenze's system is monitored and controlled by the TGW CI_LOG Supply Chain Management Software. The warehouse management system as well as the material flow controller and Commander controls are provided by TGW. All these components are connected to the SAP host system via the CI_LOG interface.
TGW's Commander control system provides for efficient energy management within Lenze, implemented by an automatic stand-by mode in the material handling equipment. If no tote movements are requested, the system will switch into stand-by mode. Energy feedback modules were installed in all storage & retrieval machines which immediately convert the braking energy into power for the lifting axis. This measure reduces the operating costs by up to 20 per cent.
Mini-load and high bay warehouse by TGW
TGW implemented a 20 metre high, fully automated high bay warehouse with integrated mini-load warehouse accommodating up to 9,000 pallets and up to 18,000 totes, holding more than 20,000 different SKUs in stock. The advantages for Lenze and its customers are obvious: improved availabilities, increased flexibility and reduced lead times. The mini-load warehouse handles up to 260 storage and retrieval cycles per hour. The warehouse is served by TGW Magito cranes and Combi Telescopes as load handling device. "Despite their enormous height, our Magitos have acceleration values comparable to a sports car, which is due to the lightweight design of the equipment", Markus Lehner explains.
Besides the automatic mini-load warehouse, the solution includes four ergonomic order picking workstations with Pick&Pack technology. "The Pick&Pack workstations permit the picking personnel to pick the items into cartons or onto the pallet“, says Markus Lehner.
The warehouse is connected to the pallet picking area via a sequencing buffer which allows Lenze to operate the two systems independently from each other. The pre-picked totes from the mini-load warehouse are supplied to the pallet picking station in a pre-defined sequence.
Drive technology by Lenze for Lenze
The entire drive equipment for the storage & retrieval machines were implemented with in-feed and feedback modules as well as servo inverters and drives by Lenze. Lenze and TGW have been partners for many years already: "Seen from a local standpoint, we are nearly neighbours. On the other hand Lenze offers the ideal drive and control systems for the TGW product portfolio", explains Markus Lehner, Sales Manager at TGW. Both companies are proud of the forward-looking collaboration, combining technologies of either of them.
