Cliff Holste, Materials Handling Editor

The News: Automated logistics solutions provider Dematic recently announced the addition of a new mini-load product to its automated storage and retrieval (AS/RS) product line, which it calls the Multishuttle.

SCDigest Says:

For high throughput tote and tray applications, the system is capable of handling up to 700 “ins and outs” per hour, and companies can deploy just the number of shuttles that are specifically required at any time. What Do You Say? Click Here to Send Us Your Comments

Why It's Worth Noting: Companies are increasingly looking for solutions to automate split case picking system, and the Multishuttle is an option companies can consider for that application.

Also, this mini-load Multishuttle solution is modular and scalable in design, which allows a company to implement a system that is scaled to its current requirements or present appetitive for automation, but then add capacity over time to meet growing volumes or to add additional SKUs to the system.

The Story: The Dematic Multishuttle is an automated mini-load storage and retrieval system designed to handle totes and trays of material weighing 25 to 75 pounds and provide high-density storage.

The system uses computer-controlled shuttles, which travel the length of an aisle between rack storage locations that hold totes or trays. The shuttles are equipped with inserter/extractor devices for putting away or retrieving loads, and are capable of delivering direct or MRO materials to specific locations, such as different work cells in manufacturing operations.

In distribution operations, the shuttles can deliver loads to a person who will pick items from the tote/tray. When the pick is completed, the load is automatically returned to its storage location.

Another likely application is to manage slow-moving items. In this scenario, when a slow-moving SKU is required, the Multishuttle system retrieves that item from its high bay storage location and creates a temporary pick face for it. This eliminates the need for a pick face in the DC for each slow mover, freeing up valuable space.

This makes the Multishuttle an interesting alternative to traditional carousel applications for slow moving SKUs.

Dematic says the system was engineered to provide for a flexible, scalable deployment. For high throughput tote and tray applications, the system is capable of handling up to 700 “ins and outs” per hour, and companies can deploy just the number of shuttles that are specifically required at any time. This includes having separate shuttles for each bay level, each of which is capable of independent and simultaneous operation. (See graphic nearby.)

For low to medium-volume applications, Dematic says the shuttles would probably not be dedicated to one bay level; instead, the shuttles would be moved between different levels by means of elevator-like “lifts.”

The solution seems to be applicable across a wide number of vertical industries. Dematic says that the first adopters are customers in such verticals as general merchandise, retail grocery, meat wholesalers, industrial suppliers, general manufacturing, especially for “kitting” applications.

Dematic notes that in the event something goes wrong causing the system to shutdown, loads can be accessed manually.

Dematic also told SCDigest that a typical Multishuttle project takes 24 to 48 weeks to complete from initial planning to full deployment, and provides customers with a payback period of 2 to 4 years

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