Optimisation of sheet metal storage and flow

Euromilk is a leading manufacturer of high-end agricultural machinery. The Polish company has been producing its solutions for more than 40 years, currently selling in more than 30 countries worldwide. The company’s mission is to ensure the highest possible innovation and quality of production and to maintain attractive product prices. To achieve this, the company is investing in new technologies to ensure high quality and continuous development.

To streamline the process of sheet metal processing, Euromilk decided to implement a TwinTower automated storage system with two access stations for the loading and unloading of sheet metal into the storage system and to significantly improve its flow to the area of the laser cutting machine.

In the two columns of the automated storage system, up to 126 tonnes of material can be stored on 42 shelves. 36 shelves are used for storage of sheet metal with maximum dimensions of 3 m x 1.5 m, while the remaining 6 shelves in elevated locations are used for tools storage, providing additional space savings on the floor of the hall. The tool shelves have raised shelf sides and a filled bottom. The automated storage system retains all the rails so that the increased locations can be replaced in the future with standard ones for sheet metal storage.

Two access stations integrated into the storage system serve to optimise material flow. The first station transports the sheets from the automated storage system to the laser cutting area, from where the sheets are sent for processing. The second access station is an unloading station and has one stop outside the storage system. Efficient operation of the system and the access stations is facilitated by Smart WMS Standard software and two operator desktops.

The introduction of the automation system on Euromilk’s shop floor has allowed the creation of an efficient and safe connection to the laser cutting machine together with the storage system in a small area.