Automated object detection for a transparent material flow
Companies with a high throughput of outgoing goods are often faced with the challenge of optimal time and delivery management. It is important to check whether the outgoing parcels are the right ones, whether all labels have been scanned and whether the delivery is complete. The solution for flawless deliveries is an automated and transparent material flow.
Long search times due to manual processes
The consequences of a lack of digitalization of logistics processes quickly become apparent in many companies: major time losses due to manual scanning and booking of goods, high error rates and ultimately inefficient processes.
Leiner GmbH also faced this challenge. The medium-sized company from Bavaria has been producing 1975 high-quality awnings and shading systems for the German and international market. Here, too, the employees in the shipping department were busy preparing the products for delivery.
Instead of their main task – packing the awnings – they spent a lot of time scanning and checking that the goods were complete. They were also unable to check for sure that every box had been scanned by hand.
Solution: Automated recording with RFID Gate
In addition to the RRU 4500 readers directly above the loading bay door, Kathrein Solutions SMSH antennas were installed on the side next to the doors. (Image © L-mobile)
Leiner GmbH therefore decided to install an RFID system from L-mobile with stationary RFID readers from KATHREIN Solutions. In this way, the work processes in the outgoing goods area were automated, making them reliable and time-saving.
When the awnings arrive in the packing area, the respective order is selected using the production documents generated by the hand scanner. The shipping labels for this order are then printed with an RFID chip directly at the workstation and attached to the packages.
As soon as the carrier arrives to collect the goods, they are simply pushed through the RFID gate. Due to the bulk detection of the RFID labels, it is no longer necessary to scan the goods individually. During the RFID loading process, the data is automatically recorded in a database table so that the current location of the goods can be tracked at all times.
Leiner GmbH therefore decided to install an RFID system from L-mobile with stationary RFID readers from KATHREIN Solutions. In this way, the work processes in the outgoing goods area were automated, making them reliable and time-saving.
When the awnings arrive in the packing area, the respective order is selected using the production documents generated by the hand scanner. The shipping labels for this order are then printed with an RFID chip directly at the workstation and attached to the packages.
As soon as the carrier arrives to collect the goods, they are simply pushed through the RFID gate. Due to the bulk detection of the RFID labels, it is no longer necessary to scan the goods individually. During the RFID loading process, the data is automatically recorded in a database table so that the current location of the goods can be tracked at all times.
In addition to the RRU 4500 readers directly above the loading bay door, Kathrein Solutions SMSH antennas were installed on the side next to the doors. (Image © L-mobile)
“I would definitely recommend an RFID-supported goods issue. It avoids a lot of errors, saves time and, of course, saves costs.”
Florian Lahoda – Head of IT, Leiner GmbH
Great time and cost savings
One of the biggest advantages of the RFID system is the huge time saving. Whereas scanning the individual parcels used to take up to 40 minutes, employees can now complete this step in a maximum of two minutes with the RFID gate.
As there is a high volume of packaging and shipping in the seasonal business, especially in the peak season, the RFID solution is particularly helpful because search times are reduced, employees can get on with their actual work and the error rate is reduced. Another plus point: there is now 100% certainty that every box has been scanned and that the delivery has been fully recorded in the ERP system.
The employees at Leiner GmbH were very positive about the RFID gate. Thanks to the simple and user-friendly handling, they got to grips with the new software solution from L-mobile very quickly. And thanks to the RFID readers from KATHREIN Solutions, both time and costs are saved.
In addition to its use in outgoing goods, RFID technology is also suitable for many other applications: automated object detection also ensures a transparent material flow in incoming goods, warehouses or production. Solutions such as pick-by-light, e-kanban or electronic labels enable seamless tracking of materials, orders or goods.
You can find this use case as a case study on the Kathrein Solutions website. Get in touch.
