Full speed ahead: getting the internal flow of materials moving with tugger trains.

The requirements for controlling production are increasing due to ever smaller batch sizes, which means that the material flow processes must be well organized. What is needed here is fast and efficient warehouse and transport management that makes the best possible use of the spatial conditions and the associated transport routes. Have you ever asked yourself: How can I make the individual transport routes of materials or other stored goods between the warehouse and production or assembly as efficient as possible?

One solution module can be the use of tugger trains in conjunction with a tugger train management system that can be customized in our SuPCIS-L8 warehouse management software. Comparable to a public transport bus, the driver of the tugger train - usually consisting of a tractor and at least one trailer - follows a fixed schedule. The individual stations are shown to the driver on the display, so that he is always informed about which station he has to head for next.

However, the question rightly arises at this point for whom the use of the tugger trains is suitable at all. And by whom is the tugger train schedule specified or, to put it bluntly, who takes over the efficient planning of the individual route sections? Quite simply, the planning and control of the tugger trains is handled by our high-performance warehouse management system. It manages all stopping points and staging destinations, including the capacities of the tugger trains as tractor units and trailers with type and parking spaces. To simplify handling when loading the trailers, the trailers can be equipped with light displays, as we know it from pick-by-light or pick-to-light locations. The trailers are loaded at the loading station with containers provided. Each container knows the destination where it is needed. Depending on the storage technology used, provision for loading can take place in different ways. For example, by full retrieval from a manual or automatic tote warehouse or by picking in a manual warehouse. A bin location is assigned to each bin. Once loading is complete, sequencing is route-optimized on the route for all loaded totes. Once they arrive at the destination station, the containers to be deposited there are displayed and acknowledged on the vehicle terminal or, optionally, by means of pick-by-light displays.

The main use of tugger trains is particularly suitable for companies in which transport tasks are performed regularly or over mostly longer distances.

With the use of tugger trains and our warehouse management system for efficient control of the tractors, there are significant advantages compared to the otherwise "usual" use of forklifts.

Less and an overall quieter warehouse traffic with increased safety at the same time. One route train is safer than several individual vehicles crossing each other. Fewer vehicles and fewer employees operating the vehicles also result in reduced capital investment. By having the tugger trains follow a fixed schedule, unnecessary (empty) trips are avoided. Thanks to simultaneous supply and disposal, there is an improvement in productivity in production or assembly.‍

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