The American group Avnet Inc. is one of the biggest distributors for IT products and solutions in the world and GEBHARDT has supported the implementation of their central warehouse in Munich, Germany as their logistical partner and supplier.

The ongoing technology trend in both private homes and the industry ensures high demand for electronic components with these embedded systems primarily found in cars, machinery and plants, medical devices and consumer electronics. Avnet sees itself as the partner for the technology industry and offers an assortment of supply chain and logistics services for the global electronics industry with its Avnet Logistics business segment.

High-tech logistics for high-tech products

The previous warehouse in Munich became too small and the company decided to build a new facility in the local vicinity to provide space for around 250,000 pallet and container spaces, and also to integrate a 1,500 m2 programming centre.

The logistics centre is blazing the trail for Avnet’s global logistics strategy in the 21st century. This is also reflected in the selection of intralogistical systems where modern logistics facilities guarantee high productivity with short cycle times. GEBHARDT Fördertechnik won over Avnet with their high degree of efficiency and the longlasting operational reliability of their plants, in addition to the individual advice and support.

On The Move

Their expertise enabled GEBHARDT to provide a solution where the material flow is highly automated and perfectly designed for the requirements of special handling for delicate components. The 4.8 km of conveyor systems ensure that containers and boxes are transported quickly, a lifting beam warehouse ensures that stacked empty containers are buffered, and a three-aisle shuttle warehouse with 12 multi-level shuttles enables orders to be processed and consolidated efficiently in a way that conserves space.

At incoming goods, the goods are first repacked into special ESD containers for protection against electrostatic discharge. Electronic components are susceptible to damage from discharge and products therefore must be handled carefully and protected against voltage throughout transport in the warehouse and during handling.

After the goods are collected by a worker, the containers with goods are automatically transferred via a lifter on the conveyor line to the AutoStore container warehouse, modular shelving system or directly to order consolidation in the shuttle warehouse or dispatch. The workers are continually supplied with containers from empty container storage via an empty container line above the total of 19 incoming goods work stations.

The AutoStore warehouse provides space for 45,000 containers which are stacked directly on top of each other by robots. Before being stored, however, the goods are repacked again into the special AutoStore containers at one of the five repacking stations. A total of 36 robots store and retrieve the goods, bringing up to 680 containers per hour directly to the 16 adjacent work stations.

Shuttle warehouse consolidates orders

Orders are consolidated before dispatch based on a highly dynamic shuttle solution with the GEBHARDT Storebiter 300. A special feature is the shuttle’s ability to serve multiple rack bays on top of each other without having to change levels using a lift.

The sequencer manages well over 400 double cycles per aisle, guaranteeing efficient and quick order consolidation. The containers and boxes are temporarily buffered until all the products for an order have arrived, then retrieved in sequenced order, saving on freight costs and increasing customer satisfaction.

This impressive facility not only meets Avnet Logistics’ performance requirements, but also the Lean Logistics group philosophy with its high operating efficiency, quick cycle times, standardised processes, and prevention of malfunctions and failures.

GEBHARDT

www.gebhardt-group.com

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