A Danish airport has invested in a robotic storage system to transform the way it handles duty free goods.
The EffiMat small parts pick and storage system has been developed by UK company – and IntraLogisteX 2020 exhibitor – RARUK Automation.
It can pick five items within its vertical shelving and deliver them to picking stations on the same tray.
One of the Denmark’s busiest air cargo centres, Billund Airport’s investment in EffiMat forms part of a wider expansion programme, which includes a new 6,650m2 storage facility constructed next to the terminal building.
To optimise the use of space, two EffiMat storage systems have been specified.
As well as providing greater capacity for storage, the EffiMat systems will be used to provide fast picking of items to re-stock the duty-free shop in the adjacent terminal building.
Previously, these goods were stored in a separate warehouse, which meant that delivering them to the shop incurred time and the cost of internal transport.
The new facility will allow goods to be delivered directly to the EffiMat storage robots on the ground floor. Warehouse staff will then pick the duty-free items on the second floor.
The vertical systems will utilise the full height of the warehouse to reduce spatial waste.
They will also improve picking productivity and provide employees with good, ergonomic working conditions, said Billund Airport.
Furthermore, an interface between the airport’s ERP system and EffiMat robots will register in real time when an item is bought in the shop and the system will automatically pick a replacement to ensure stock is replenished.
According to Billund Airport, as well as providing an immediate productivity boost, this investment is seen as being a vital step in ensuring the airport is ready for further growth in line with expectation.
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