SKF
Taking your first steps into Industry 4.0 with LEO locative
About SKF
SKF Lubrication Systems GmbH in Berlin, a division of SKF, builds customised centralised lubrication systems. A wide range of components are needed for production – these include around 70,000 active master records for vendor parts. Approximately 19,000 items are available from stock. Parts that are not in stock or are missing must be reordered again and again.
Background and requirements
- In the past, the ordered missing parts were collected by employees after arriving at the incoming goods department and packed on pallets
- The parts were only delivered to the assembly stations when a pallet was fully loaded
- The collection took time, with the result that the standing and idle times of the pallets and missing parts were very extended
- LubSys wants to work purposefully towards further development in the direction of Industry 4.0
- The aim is to continue along the path of lean transformation in the Berlin plant in a targeted manner
- The assembly lines for pump units and small parts are to be supplied quickly and easily with components weighing up to a maximum of 30 kg
- The automation of internal transport routes should optimise the value-added processes
- Internal transport times – especially idle and travel times – are to be reduced
- The transport system must be geared to customer requirements
- High flexibility
- Easy implementation
- Cost-effective acquisition
Efficiency increase at a glance
Die BITO Solution
LEO locative – automated guided vehicle
» Two LEO locative driverless transport systems, which connect the workplaces with each other, are now in non-stop use to transport the lightweight containers and cardboard boxes.
transfer stations
» The system's holding stations, placed by the customer according to their needs, are approached by the transporter and the containers are either dropped off or picked up there.
Easy to use and install
» The customer has set up a circuit of 300 m according to his requirements by sticking a lane with the coloured tape included in the starter kit, which the transporter follows.
cost-conscious
» The acquisition costs are low – the goods are transported in a simple manner, without a driver or a vulnerable, expensive system
Video about LEO locative
Customer benefits
The BITO solution has provided the following benefits:
- Enormous time savings: With LEO locative, the parts that arrive at the incoming goods department are now taken directly to the assembly area in three-minute cycles
- Short travel times and idle times: The two automated guided vehicle systems complete their respective circuits every six minutes
- Each LEO locative covers about 40 km a day, travelling at one metre per second
- Quick and easy supply of the assembly stations: the system picks up the containers at the delivery and pick-up stations, in which the parts and components are transported through the hall in the plastic containers, and then delivers them to the next station.
- The system can be installed and modified by the customer without external IT and technical support.
- No W-LAN or WIFI connection necessary.
We were looking for a system that would enable us to reduce our internal transport times – especially idle and travel times. The system should be customer-oriented, highly flexible, easy to implement and cost-effective to purchase. Using the LEO locative has achieved exactly that.
