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Reference project Digital Engineering in logistics

Digital engineering in logistics

The increasing acceleration and digitalization in intralogistics can quickly become a major challenge. This is particularly the case when supplying production areas work more slowly than the subsequent final module production. In such a case, SpiraTec supported a customer with the adjustment and implemented a storage system in the material flow that ensures continuous production. Specifically, this involved a high-bay warehouse system with corresponding interlinking (conveyor technology) as a storage system.

SpiraTec was able to score points with its many years of expertise and was awarded the contract to develop a digital real-time solution and provide support for the engineering phases up to the FAT.

Project goals

  • Increasing productivity by integrating a high-bay warehouse between production areas
  • Design the new productivity in a comprehensible way without the systems having to be completely built up in real terms
  • Visualize and optimize feasibility and cycle times
  • Minimize planning risks and errors and qualify software on the digital twin
  • Realization of cross-border cooperation

Increase in productivity

Planning large systems digitally

Display functional content in 3D

Software qualification

Technical realization

  • Simulation of all processes in real time by mapping complex logistics with the digital twin
  • Acceleration factors in the digital twin for time-optimized testing
  • Management by a higher-level material flow system (MFR, LVR)
  • Control is carried out with more than 10 PLC systems
  • All subsystems are in permanent communication with each other
  • FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) is carried out on the digital real-time model – the digital twin

Project summary

The digital real-time model developed by SpiraTec offers great added value for the operator. Both the production system as a real system and a quality system are available. This is used to test the complexity of the logistics (e.g. changes to product pallets) from the material flow system or warehouse management computer through to implementation in the system controls before integration into the production system takes place. This offers a significant increase in the quality of the software for real commissioning.

With this solution and the support of SpiraTec, the customer can be sure that the right product is always in the right place at the right time. Productivity is guaranteed, while risks are significantly reduced.