Continental automates pallet capture with ZetesMedea ImageID
Continental chose ZetesMedea ImageID to automate goods receipt processes. Thanks to the warehouse execution solution, powered by machine vision technology, Continental achieves higher productivity, accuracy, and transparency in their daily operations.
In the frame of their Industry 4.0 strategy, Continental chose ZetesMedea ImageID to automate goods receipt processes at two of their plants: Ingolstadt and Groß-Rohrheim. Thanks to the warehouse execution solution, powered by machine vision technology, Continental achieves higher productivity, accuracy, and transparency in their daily operations. Additional camera based ImageID gates will be implemented in the USA and in Lithuania.
20 to 25 percent productivity increase
Continental was previously handling their goods receipt process with handheld scanners, which involved a lot of effort and took several minutes per pallet. To save time and improve productivity and accuracy, ZetesMedea warehouse execution system and an ImageID gate were implemented. One of Continental’s pilot locations is in Ingolstadt. A high volume of pallets is received there every day, with up to 60 boxes stacked on each pallet. Each box has a label with a 2D barcode that must be read and compared with the inbound deliveries in SAP.
User-friendly interface
On receipt of goods the pallets are transported from the truck to the ImageID gate. The Zetes ImageID cameras are installed on the tripods to the left and right of the door that separates the goods receipt and warehouse areas. The other components include a traffic light and a mobile workstation with a mobile scanner, label printer and monitor. The monitor displays the user-friendly, web based ZetesMedea user interface (Web UI).
Real-time SAP comparison
The scanning process, which takes only a few seconds, starts as soon as the forklift operator sets the pallet down between the two camera tripods. During the scanning process, ZetesMedea not only reads the label data but also compares it in real time with the inbound deliveries in SAP. If everything is right, the traffic light turns green and Zetes ImageID opens the quick door. Then the label printer automatically generates a Sum label with SAP.
If individual barcodes were not recognised during the scanning process because they were damaged or covered, for example, the employee is notified immediately via the traffic light as well as in the web user interface (WEB UI). In these cases, the operator gets a visual notification and can then enter the missing information with the manual scanner in a focused manner and without a time-consuming search. Once this process is completed, the storage process can begin. “With this technology, we can work faster in goods receipt with higher quality”, says Andreas Dinzinger, Head of SCM Warehouse and Shipping at Ingolstadt. The payback time for the investment is expected to be less than two years.
Different processes
Continental expects an even shorter payback time with the second ImageID gate installation in Groß-Rohrheim (South Hessen). There Continental operates a central logistics centre for passenger vehicle spare parts, with an area of 34,000 square metres. In contrast to Ingolstadt, 1D barcodes (instead of 2D) are captured at Groß-Rohrheim. Another difference is the reading distance between the pallet and the camera. This is actually not a problem, as ZetesMedea and the ImageID gate are able to capture all barcodes within a user-definable reading range. In practice, this means that the reading area can be several square metres in size which gives high flexibility.
"The Pallet Scan Gate is another step towards an automated future. With this technology, we work faster in goods receipt and with a higher quality."
Andreas Dinzinger, Head of SCM Warehouse and Shipping, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH, Ingolstadt
"Zetes has convinced us with their technology as well as with a very professional approach" Monika Fuchs, Teamlead SCM Goods Receipt, Conti Temic microelectronic GmbH, Ingolstadt
