In summer 2024, the medium-sized logistics service provider LOXXESS put a semi-automated solution into operation at its Haiming site in the Bavarian chemical triangle. The Tegernsee-based company is a logistics partner to several companies in the chemical sector and has many years of experience in the industry. It has considerably expanded its capacities in Haiming for a long-standing customer from the chemical industry. This also included the development of an innovative solution for the customer’s plant supply.
The most important customer requirements included reliability and precision in drum handling as well as the efficiency of the system to ensure the continuous and uninterrupted supply of customer operations. Last but not least, the aspect of safety played a key role in protecting employees and the environment. No standard solution was available for this, which is why a customized system was developed in collaboration with plant engineering specialist Scheuchl to partially automate the bagging of drums. Previously, the insertion of protective film into different types of barrels was carried out completely manually. Over a period of four years, a solution was developed in which an inliner robot takes over the majority of the process. The “inliner” is a white film that is inserted into the steel barrels to protect them. The film is first pulled over a cylindrical holder, the “stamp”.
Greater efficiency and relief for employees
All further process steps are then carried out by the system: the robot opens the drum, lifts it and places it over the stamp with the film. Finally, the film is pulled over the edge of the drum and the drum is closed again. Only the first step is still carried out manually; however, the entire laborious process of inserting the film by hand is no longer necessary.
“Above all, the automation technology increases the safety of our employees and relieves them of a physically demanding task,” explains Florian Schwarz-Gewallig, Member of the Management Board at LOXXESS. “In addition, the system ensures consistently high quality and more efficient handling of the drums.”
The LOXXESS technology and logistics team was in constant coordination with the customer to implement the application. The family-owned company also took on the financing of the system and a comprehensive test operation, which was designed as an iterative “learning process” in order to best meet the customer’s requirements. Finally, LOXXESS also took on the acceptance and complete commissioning of the solution.
Conclusion: The semi-automated solution not only relieves the burden on employees, it also increases efficiency and quality for the benefit of the customer. As a result, it meets their requirements and contributes to the expansion of the site.