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09.07.2016 - 08:04:38

Logistics Heavyweight begins Research Cooperation with UDE on Lightweight Solutions in Intralogistics

On 26th of April 2016, with the support of EFRE.NRW, the project “Development of lightweight rack feeders on the basis of cable-driven technique from North Rhine-Westphalia (LEAN)” was initiated in Duisburg. The project under the lead of both departments of Mechatronics and Transport Systems and Logistics of the University Duisburg-Essen (UDE), involves a range of major, medium-sized and small-scale enterprises in its research programme.


Research on a lightweight cable-driven storage and retrieval machines has a longstanding tradition for engineers of the University Duisburg-Essen (UDE). Two departments of the Centre for Logistics and Traffic (ZLV) of the UDE, namely Mechatronics (Prof. Schramm) and Transport Systems and Logistics (Prof. Noche), have already been researching on these topics for several years. Now, a new chapter of this research cooperation is to be written: On 26th of April 2016, with the support of EFRE.NRW, the project “Development of lightweight rack feeders on the basis of cable-driven technique from North Rhine-Westphalia (LEAN)” was initiated in Duisburg.

Whereas the feasibility of this idea had already been verified in the previous project “Development of a rack feeder based on the Stewart-Gough platform” within the EffizienzCluster LogistikRuhr, the thematic focus of the current project lies on the proof of industrial applicability in practice, which, amongst others, will be furnished by the development of specialized components, the conception and the installation of a demonstrator as well as the tentative continuous operation at the logistics heavyweight HAVI Logistics.

Apart from both UDE departments, a range of regional companies, amongst others mercatronics GmbH from Bocholt, the logistics service provider HAVI Global Logistics from Duisburg, w3logistics AG from Dortmund and SDZ GmbH as well as igus GmbH from Cologne and SICK AG, both as associated partners, take part in the project. Subsequent to technical development of single components of a new storage and retrieval machine as well as its IT connection, an installation of the demonstrator system as well as the execution of different tests will be carried out.

A special characteristic of the project, which has a term of 36 months and a financial volume of 2.5 million Euros, is the intensive participation of small and medium enterprises from North Rhine-Westphalia, that will work on a broad range of different tasks: mechatronics has, amongst others, committed itself to develop single components, while w3logistics takes part with its know-how in the field of warehouse management systems and igus GmbH makes contributions in the field of development and manufacturing of artificial energy chains.

Within the opening of the project on 26th of April 2016 at HAVI Global Logistics GmbH, Arnim Spengler, a member of the Centre for Logistics and Traffic (ZLV), was introduced as the general coordinator of the project. Moreover, the different project boards were elected. Apart from Spengler, Dr. Tobias Bruckmann (Mechatronics) and Cyril Alias (Logistics) are responsible for the technical coordination and the scientific direction of the project.

From a mechatronic point of view, the appeal to the new project is especially based on the transfer of the cable-driven robot technology developed by UDE into real industries of the transport and logistics branch, since the adoption of freshly developed innovations, like logistics robots, is a central learning stage for the logistics researchers.
The project LEAN is funded by the European Fonds for Regional Development (EFRE). The project’s timeline is planned for 36 months at a financial volume of 2.5 million Euros.

https://www.uni-due.de/imperia/md/images/zlv/lean_gesamtprojekttreffen.jpg
Image: The participants of the LEAN Kick-Off-Meeting look to their joint research future with great optimism.

For further information, please contact:

Arnim Spengler, Tel. 0201/183-2852, spengler@mercatronics.de
Dr. Tobias Bruckmann, Tel. 0203/379-1908, tobias.bruckmann@uni-due.de
Cyril Alias, Tel. 0203/379-2615, cyril.alias@uni-due.de