Description

Volume DIVE is a completely newly developed and customised storage and picking system for urban retail and modern delivery services. It is characterised by its compactness, modularity and high performance. Despite its compactness, fast access to each individual bin is possible with minimal restacking. This enables a flexible throughput of up to 4,000 bins per hour. This makes it ideal for Q-commerce applications, but also a real alternative for e-commerce and classic, energy-intensive miniload applications. Volume DIVE consists of

• the mobile robot, the so-called Snapper.
• the special shelf, the so-called Speedrack.
• and the load carriers (standard euro bins or beverage crates).

The Speedrack consists of several modules with 48 bins each and can be extended as required. Heights of up to 14 m can be realised. Due to the simple levelling via adjustable feet, it can be installed on any floor.
The Snapper travels at up to 3 m/s and can store and retrieve bins on the entire level across modules. It has a rotating gripper unit and can thus pick up and deliver bins on all 4 sides.
The load carriers are standard beverage crates and standard euro bins in the sizes 300×200 mm, 400×300 mm with 25 kg as well as 600×400 mm with 35 kg. The bins can be stacked with different heights within one tower.

Innovations

Volume DIVE differs from other bin systems in several areas:

• The Snapper has rotating wheels, a universal gripper and a 360° rotation unit. This allows it to pick up and deliver standard bins in any position, including the base. Volume DIVE does not require any external lifters.
• Retrieval and storage are possible on all 4 sides of the racking.
• Restacking is carried out without moving the snapper by means of the 360° rotating unit and guarantees faster access to the bins. Due to the stacking height of 3 load carriers, restacking only takes place once on average.
• The high performance results from several access levels.
• The individual modules fit through any regular door. In the smallest version, a floor space of only 16 m² is required – this aspect also clearly distinguishes Volume DIVE from comparable solutions.
• Standard euro bins in common sizes can be stored, with or without recessed handles, as well as beverage crates.
• Different bin heights can be stacked within one tower.
• Compared to other solutions with custom-made special bins, the bins of the Volume DIVE may also be used outside the system.
• The performance is scalable by the number of robots.
• There are no restrictions due to picking ports, as loading and unloading can take place at any balcony position in the warehouse.
• Sprinklers on the moving levels are possible for increased fire safety requirements.

Market relevance

Volume DIVE is particularly suitable for booming quick-commerce applications in urban environments (10 items in less than 60 seconds) due to its compact design, innovative construction principle and simple commissioning.

• Volume DIVE is ideal for inner-city delivery services of groceries, for example, which have redefined the on-demand world in terms of delivery speed (keyword: last mile) in the last two to three years and which have to realise a high turnover in a small area.
• As a micro-hub, it is also a perfect solution for the increasing shortage of available storage space in urban areas.
• Thanks to the flexible bin handling of common standard sizes, customers do not have to purchase new bins.
• A transfer to conveyor systems is possible, but not necessary, so that no accompanying investments in connecting automatic systems are required.
• Volume DIVE can be used as a compact small-parts storage and order-picking system for slow-moving C-items up to high-performance handling for A-items.
• This makes it an alternative to static and energy-intensive miniloads with stacker cranes or shuttles. It is also an ideal system for beverage delivery services in urban environments. Another field of application is the mobile supply of vending machines for chilled beverages. It can also be used for efficient containers with automatic provision of spare parts and accessories for construction sites.

Customer benefits

Volume DIVE makes optimal use of the potential of state-of-the-art robot technology and is ultimately flexible, ultra-compact and extremely fast.

• The system is completely scalable in size and performance and therefore suits many customers who want to store small parts in a compact and automated way, but remain flexible for future changes.
• An extension in length, width and height is easily feasible, so that Volume DIVE can grow parallel to the company’s development. Performance can be scaled by the number of snappers.
• If a C-item seasonally becomes an A-item, Volume DIVE is still the perfect storage system for this due to its short access times.
• Set-up is quick and easy. The material can be brought in through normal doors, so Volume DIVE can be used in ordinary rooms, e.g. in existing shops.
• Because the installation can be realised quickly, e.g. on a weekend, the customer is not hindered in his regular processes.
• Compared to a complex miniload solution, the customer can already use Volume DIVE after a short time.
• There are no increased requirements for the evenness of the floor, so Volume DIVE can be used in all common halls and rooms.
• Another main advantage for the customers is that they can continue to use their standard bins (and do not have to purchase new ones) and they are allowed to leave Volume DIVE.