Full speed ahead: How tugger trains get the internal material flow moving.

Production control is becoming increasingly demanding as batch sizes become smaller and smaller. Good organization of the material flow is therefore essential. What is needed is fast and efficient warehouse and transport management that makes optimum use of the available space and transport routes. Have you ever wondered how you can efficiently organize the transport routes of materials or goods between the warehouse and production or assembly?

One possible solution is the use of tugger trains. These can be customized using our tugger train management in the SuPCIS-L8 warehouse management software. Similar to a scheduled bus in public transport, the driver of the tugger train follows a fixed timetable. The tugger trains consist of a tractor unit and at least one trailer. The next stops are shown to the driver on a display so that he always knows where he needs to go next.

The question of for whom the use of tugger trains is suitable is justified. Who sets the tugger train timetable and plans the route sections efficiently? It's simple: our powerful SuPCIS-L8 warehouse management system takes on this task. It manages all stopping points and staging destinations, including the capacities of tractor units with trailers and parking spaces.

To make handling easier when loading the trailers, the trailers can be equipped with light displays. Just as you know it from pick-by-light or pick-to-light stations. The trailers are loaded at the loading station where the containers are provided. The destination location at which each container is required is known. Depending on the storage technology used, the containers can be staged in different ways. For example, by full retrieval from a manual or automatic container warehouse or by picking in a manual warehouse. Each container is assigned a storage location. After loading, the software plans the sequence for all loaded containers on the route in a route-optimized manner. Once at the destination station, the vehicle terminal or an optional pick-by-light display shows the containers to be set down for confirmation.

The main use of tugger trains is particularly suitable for companies where transportation is carried out regularly or over longer distances.

By using tugger trains and our warehouse management system, we control tractor units efficiently. This offers considerable advantages compared to the usual use of forklift trucks.

1. Warehouse traffic is quieter and safer as fewer vehicles are in use.
2. Route trains increase safety as they cause fewer traffic movements than individual vehicles crossing each other.
3. Fewer vehicles and operating personnel reduce the amount of capital tied up.
4. Route trains follow a fixed timetable and thus avoid unnecessary empty runs.
5. Simultaneous supply and disposal increases productivity in production and assembly.

Is a tugger train also an option for you? Please feel free to contact us.