Intelligent Material Storage and Delivery
Case Study – Material Handling and Storage:
To reduce cost, forklift traffic, and inventory levels, a leading Tier 1 automotive supplier decided to implement an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). The challenge was how to interface with 72 different operator molding and assembly stations, coordinate the traffic around the 200,000 square foot plant, track material movement, and manage the 17,000 parts in inventory.
Knowing their MES provider also supplies Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), the Engineering team turned to Ujigami’s™ team for help. The team worked with them to identify 5 critical areas of scope:
- An easy to use operator interface
- High AGV utilization rates
- Routing and vehicle decision management
- Optimized material movements
- Accurate scheduling and inventory management
Ujigami™ PDMS software was selected to create a fully automated system. Ujigami™ interfaces with all operators through a simple touch-screen, and controls the AGV and ASRS subsystems in real-time to ensure parts arrive when needed. Material requirements, part and AGV location, and inventory levels can be viewed from any device with a web browser.
The Engineering Manager is impressed. “The Ujigami™ system works. The team has delivered an easy to use system that exceeds all our expectations!”
Production also appreciates the new capability. “I no longer worry about whether we have the parts for the schedule.” The Director of Operations explains “We really like Ujigami’s™ ability to automatically respond to unexpected production requirements and keep the plant running.”