Vision meets practice

Free-flowing streams of goods without rigid pathways, machines and equipment that adapt to the flow of production, cargo handling in record time and intelligent, fully automatic goods transport without loss of space – this is our vision of the logistics of tomorrow.
To make this possible, we developed fluid logistics.

The Technology Behind the Concept

The technology is based on a modular platform system that makes use of electromagnetic fields. With it, wares and goods as well as machinery and equipment can be transported and precisely positioned.

The core element of fluid logistics is the intelligent floor. Planar units are laid out like tiles and enable a fully automatic flow of goods using freely moving load carriers. Products and equipment are able to move around the area freely, simultaneously and independently of one another.

Thanks to the modular design, the system can be flexibly and individually extended and adapted to the specific application.

Intelligent Software for Smooth Operation

The decentralized control of the individual planar units makes the entire system resistant to disruption. If a planar unit fails, it will be bypassed. The system adapts to requirements intelligently and in real time. The chance of failure of the entire system and thus an interruption in the flow of goods is eliminated.

The basis for this is the use of intelligent algorithms. The overarching system makes it possible to adapt the route flexibly. Objects can be transported individually or as a group and positioned precisely.

The Most Important Features of Fluid Logistics:

  • System adaptation in real time
  • Free flow of material
  • Fully automated
  • Individual and combined transport (group)
  • For objects of different sizes and shapes
  • Suitable for heavy loads
  • Expandable as desired

Planar Unit

The entire work area, for example the floor of a warehouse, is equipped with planar units (PUs).
Due to our plug and play design we can guarantee high system availability in green- and as well as in brownfield applications.

In the unlikely event of a single unit malfunctioning, it can be easily and quickly replaced. Almost infinitely variable system expansions are possible by adding new PUs. This means that you don’t have to predict scheduling parameters for the next 10 years while planning the system, but can instead expand the system dynamically as required. This lowers the investment risk and preserves liquidity.

Mover

Between the load-carrying movers and the planar unit, an electromagnetic field is generated that is only active during actual movement. The load carriers move freely over the floor surface, mounted only on ball or roller bearings.

Practically any load can be transported on a mover. One powerful software feature is the possibility of momentarily connecting several movers to form a compound mover in order to temporarily create a larger load carrier. Individual movers can also be equipped with other tools, such as robots.