Warehouse and transport management in the metals industry: Technical warehouse management system with integrated report designer
At AISTech, 3tn will present the latest version to its technical warehouse management system TWMS/metals. The newly added innovative features make operation with the system even more convenient and reliable. Customized reports can now be flexibly generated, for the crane drivers operation will be easier and a software version for users handling smaller numbers of transport orders is also available now.
The technical warehouse management system TWMS/metals controls and visualizes transport and storage activities in the metals industry from continuous casting through to the shipment of the finished products. It optimizes the use of storage capacities across various warehouses or even plant-wide, ensuring that the means of transport, such as cranes or cross transfer systems, are efficiently used.
With the new, integrated Report Designer, 3tn has expanded the parameter setting feature of TWMS/metals to make reporting more flexible. Authorized users may now independently and via dialogue-based steps generate new customized reporting templates. This enables them to adapt the system to changing conditions independently of 3tn and during ongoing operation. As a complement to the already wide range of templates, they may now, for example, generate and test special shift reports, and enable them, as required, for use by specific groups of authorized users.
3tn has also simplified the user interface for crane operators. They may now navigate through lists by multi-touch gestures as known from smartphones or tablet PCs. The input of data has generally been simplified: The new „auto suggest“ function enables TWMS/metals to propose entry data – for example, from the list of existing coil numbers – even if only fragments of information are available. This feature also reduces the risk of misentries.
For users having to deal with smaller numbers of transfer orders, 3tn will introduce a new software version capable of guiding the crane driver solely based on the 3D coil landscape on the display in the crane cabin. Sensor equipment for detecting the crane position is no longer required.
If a new transfer order is issued, the display will first show an image of the pick-up point. The crane operator will travel to that position and pick up the coil. Then the system will propose a destination. In addition to the 3D display, while traveling to the storage position, the crane operator will be provided additional information on the screen for easier orientation, for example logos or coil identifiers.
This is a major advantage for systems handling smaller numbers of transfer orders as it saves investment and operating costs. For larger-scale systems, it provides the possibility to continue operating in an emergency mode in case the sensor equipment fails.
3tn at AISTech 2014, Indianapolis, USA (5 – 8 May 2014): Booth 1288
Background:
A central element of TWMS/metals is the visualization of warehouses in real time as near-reality 3D views. In the crane cabins, the current warehouse situation is displayed as seen by the crane operator. Arrows guide the crane operators from one position to the next, while all information they need for processing an order is being displayed.
A three-dimensional view is implemented on the client terminals in the offices. The users can move freely about this display and view the warehouse from any perspective. If they want to know where a certain coil is, they can zoom in on it from the total view, as known from „Google Earth“.
This system optimally manages all warehouse activities. It enables target-oriented storage and efficient use of the available storage space. The system optimizes crane movements, avoids unnecessary shifting operations – and therefore the associated risk of damaging any stored material – and speeds up the transport activities in general. It creates transparency as it makes all information readily available and all activities intuitively comprehensible.
The result: optimal storage of all products, short transfer times, efficient use of personnel and means of transport, no damage due to improper storage, and safe working conditions. Moreover, the system reduces the tracing effort to virtually zero.
3tn developed TWMS/metals specifically for the metals industry. The system is preconfigured for all products, means of transport and warehouse arrangements common in this industry. In one direction, it communicates with ERP and MES systems and, in the other direction, with the basic automation systems and the sensor equipment.
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About 3tn
Thomas Niepmann and Thorsten Tönjes founded 3tn in 1999 after several years of working together on warehouse management projects in the metals industry.
Their business plan was to develop customer-specific software solutions for optimizing material movement, specifically adapting to the requirements of the metals industry. This philosophy has been consistently followed ever since.
The 3tn team consists of software developers, computer scientists, electrical technicians and engineers. Their expertise covers every stage of a project, from analyses and feasibility studies, through software development, all the way to project management, commissioning, and user training. Experienced technicians ensure comprehensive after sales support and constant on-call service.
3tn Industriesoftware GmbH
Thomas Niepmann
Rhenus Platz 3
59439 Holzwickede/Germany
+49.2301.91261-0
info@3tn.de
http://www.3tn.de
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Regina Reinhardt
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+49.241.89468-24
reinhardt@vip-kommunikation.de
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