The academic training relies on automation solutions provided by SSI Schaefer. The Institute for Logistics and Material flow engineering (ILM) of the Otto-von-Guericke-University in Magdeburg trains its logisticians in machine engieering at an automatic small-parts storage system (Miniload) from SSI Schaefer. SSI Schaeer received the tender. „The optimal design planning outlined in the submitted documents indicated that the manufacturer had covered in fine detail all the relevant aspects significant for us“, explains Professor Dr. Hartmut Zadek, Chairman of Logistics and Managing Director of the ILM, in awarding the contract to SSI Schaefer. „The outstanding cost-benefit ratio of the offer contributes importantly to that.“Around 4,000 students enlisted in Magdeburg for logistics faculties. Students of the technical logistics faculty especially work at, and with, the large systems of the institute. The SSI Schaefer Miniload, invested in by the region Saxony-Anhalt and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), is currently being used by the faculty for investigations in energy efficiency. „We currently have six Master´s theses for this area of basic research which will be published soon“, says director of the institute Zadek.The one-aisle Miniload offers 840 storage positions and has been named "Ziems-Gasse" by the Magdeburg University according to the founder of the Technical Logistics faculty, Dietrich Ziems. Furthermore, SSI Schaefer has supplied around 250 totes, conveyor system components for the infeed and the Warehouse Management System „ant“. With this basic equipment around 50 students per term work on different projects to scientifically research solutions for the future needs of intra-logistics under real conditions and this can progress to the project maturity phase or provide for the development and optimization of future systems. The present objective is to achieve energy efficiency. „There are different rudiments for optimized storage strategies in automated warehouses“, explains Zadek. „The conveyor system does not have to be controlled automatically by the software. With the SSI Schaefer Miniload we currently analyze the possibilities of flexible storage, transfer and retrieval strategies by the user." In future the user can, if required, exactly indicate the positions for the storage and can influence the processes regarding energy consumption for the automated components such as conveyor system and storage and retrieval machines (SRM). „This also involves the integration of new storage strategies in the development of software and control engineering", says Zadek.According to this, modelling of the material flow computer and adjustments to the control software were made on the system. For example, parameters for the transport and lifting speed of the SRM can be determined and set. Thus, the starts of the horizontal and vertical movements can be delayed, for example, by using energy recovery concepts to decrease energy consumption. „With our basic research we develop interfaces for influenceable parameters to decrease the energy costs", summarizes Zadek. „This type of the user-oriented research is going to support the future developments of the manufacturers.“For SSI Schaefer this knowledge transfer is done in parallel as, since 2007, the intra-logistics specialists have cooperated with several universities and offer the possibility of combined study. During block training the students of SSI Schaefer each rotate between the training company after three months per term. The major fields of study are mainly information technology, mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. The combined study courses comprise six terms. The qualifications obtained are normally internationally accepted Bachelor degrees. Scholarships are also announced. „Although we acknowledge there is a widespread skills shortage we have always taken the responsibility for supporting and training young academics, and, it is always part of our company philosophy", says Ramona Vian, head of human resources at SSI Schaefer. „Against this background we started four years ago to offer the combined training for academic job profiles alongside the apprenticeship training positions for skilled trades and commercial occupations. The positive experiences we have had so far regarding professional competence and recruiting support our decision to do this.“In fact, out of 19 students who have started their training in the combined study at SSI Schaefer in recent years, four have already completed their course. SSI Schaefer currently employs twelve students on the combined study course. Eleven students will be added this year - with business studies and software engineering being included for the first time. For the university graduates, SSI Schaefer offers a wide range of employment possibilities, from design engineers, software developers and start-up engineers to controller and personnel specialists. „An outstanding qualification opportunity", judges Robert Matthes. The student working in IT Projects at SSI Schaefer is on the verge of taking his exams – which naturally include the energy efficiency-project at Magdeburg University. As a student of a combined Bachelor study of applied IT, Matthes has made the project-specific adjustments to the WMS "ant" which made possible the short project implemention time. „The advantage of the SSI Schaefer Miniload in the research is that during its movements the energy and position data of all axes are recorded within the millisecond range", says Matthes. „Furthermore the SRM can be managed and controlled via WMS and material flow control, paralleling a productive system.“With the modifications made to the WMS and material flow control system it is now possible to operate the storage and retrieval machine in a special testing mode. The user has the possibility to plan single storage movements, relocations and retrievals in advance and combine them in so-called "experiments". These stored experiments can be carried out at random and can also be copied.Within the test environment with the Miniload acceleration and delay of the traveling and lifting axis can be changed by the user with the help of dialog systems at the university in Magdeburg. After performing such a test, the energy data of the storage and retrieval machine are linked with the "experiment" and can be analyzed arbitrarily. „The objective of the entire concept is to determine travelling patterns which supply the optimum balance between throughput and energy saving“, says Matthes. He goes on to say “the installation of the Miniload by SSI Schaefer at the Otto-von-Guericke-University in Magdeburg has created new professional possibilities for the training of intra-logisticians and the development of new storage strategies and concepts at the Institute for Logistics and Material Flow Engineering“ „The combined study is an important pillar of our educational system", states Director of the Institute, Zadek. „Therefore we will continue to support the practically applied research and development of the manufacturers. The Miniload from SSI Schaefer generates aspects of innovation which critically examine and challenge the normal practice of existing systems. This is a benefit for all participants." Should you require any further information, please feel free to contact:Central press office SSI Schaefer Germany:Katharina Kunz, Fritz Schäfer GmbHPhone +49/2735/70-395, E-Mail: katharina.kunz@ssi-schaefer.dePress office SSI Schäfer Noell:Desiree Kreisel, Marketing AutomationPhone +49/9334/979-541, E-Mail: desiree.kreisel@ssi-schaefer-noell.comCompany profileSSI Schaefer is recognized as the world’s leading supplier of warehousing and logistics systems. Services offered range from sophisticated design to equipping facilities with products from the company’s comprehensive product range, and implementing these projects as the general contractor. The range of competencies under the SSI Schaefer umbrella name forms the basis for developing market specific, multi-purpose storage systems targeting market requirements and for determining heterogeneous solutions in the field of intra-logistics. The product range of SSI Schaefer/Fritz Schaefer GmbH, Neunkirchen, headquarters of the international SSI Schaefer Group, encompasses the core area of warehouse equipment, including workshop, plant and office equipment, plus a variety of waste collection and recycling containers. Typical products are storage and transport containers, shelving, pallet rack, cantilever and mobile racking systems, which form the basis for manually operated or fully automated storage systems. Fritz Schäfer founded the company in 1937, and today the company has offices around the world. In Germany alone, SSI Schaefer is represented by 12 offices. SSI Schaefer Noell GmbH, D-Giebelstadt, complements the product and services portfolio as a specialist for sophisticated logistics systems. Acting as general contractor, the company has completed over 300 logistics systems worldwide. Capabilities range from system planning and consulting to the implementation of turnkey systems and customized after-sales services. Salomon Automation GmbH, A-Friesach, Graz, provides specifically tailored solutions from a single source for all types of logistics systems – manual and fully automated. The company supports its customers throughout the lifecycle of logistics systems, including planning, implementation and maintenance.SSI Schaefer Peem, GmbH, A-Graz, specializes in modular order picking technology. The company designs, develops and manufactures highly dynamic, small parts conveyor systems as well as automatic order picking systems, including the customized software.
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