Hänel Lean-Lift system at BYSTRONIC LASER AG
At BYSTRONIC LASER AG a new 800 m2 building was erected to accommodate a central storage facility including goods receiving section, storeroom and materials handling for components.
Bystronic Laser AG: the central storage facility
Hänel Lean-Lift complex on the left, the pallet store behind it, the high-bay storage racks on the right
The objectives of the new storage system were:
Expansion of existing storage capacity!
Maximum utilization of room height through 2 stories!
Optimization of materials flow!
'just-in-time' handling of assembly materials and components!
Changing the 'man to goods' order picking system into a 'goods to man' system!
An examination of different storage systems favored Hänel's vertical lift system
At a visit to SWISSTECH in Basle, it was possible to compare the various storage systems such as horizontal and vertical carousels, miniload systems and others.
The clear benefits of installing vertical lift systems became obvious:
Flexible choice of different storage compartment (module) sizes within the container size chosen!
Maximum capacity due to height-optimized storage!
Parallel lift operation allowing multiple users to pick and stock simultaneously!
Control of annexed rack storage system for Euro pallets and high-bay racks in the same system!
BYSTRONIC decided in favor of the Lean-Lift system from Hänel
The decision in favor of the Hänel's Lean-Lift system was based on 4 criteria:
Tailored complete solution designed by Hänel's consulting engineers, which meets our high requirements exactly and can be expanded without difficulty!
Operator-friendly solution with the use of terminals right at the lifts!
Networking of the different storage systems by the powerful Hänel inventory management system!
Convincing price-performance ratio!
On the ground floor the components are retrieved as required
In the basement the Lean-Lifts are stocked with components
Hänel's control software handles all the inventory management
The inventory management system from Hänel monitors and coordinates all the positioning, retrieval and storage processes. It is specially adapted to the needs of the customer. The optimal interoperation of software and Hänel lifts guarantees efficient storeroom operations.
The advantage: a constant overview of inventory status and accurate inventory control. Unexpected parts shortages cannot occur and the stock quantities can be reduced. This lowers costs!
The Hänel Lean-Lift has significantly improved the work situation at BYSTRONIC
Storage capacity has been increased by 80% - using a minimal floor area, but spanning 2 stories. The turnover of goods has been increased by 30%. Numbers of staff working in the storeroom could be reduced - 4 of the 10 are now working in production, thus contributing to an improvement in the cost structure.
Question to Mr. Gygax, head of storage and transport at BYSTRONIC LASER AG:
Have your expectations been fulfilled and how do you rate the investment from today's perspective?
The investments have been well worth while!
All 4 lifts work with the utmost reliability. Day-to-day work confirms that the decision to install the Hänel Lean-Lift system was the right one - all our expectations have been fulfilled.