When was the ASRS system invented?

The ASRS system, which sounds pretty fashionable, has actually been used for many years and can be used in warehouses by all walks of life. So what is AS / RS ? When did the Automatic Storage and Retrieval System first appear?

• What is ASRS?

• Benefits of ASRS

• When was the ASRS system invented?

What is ASRS?

If you don't know, ASRS is a way for facilities to maximize storage space while reducing personnel and increasing efficiency. The first system appeared in the 1960s, initially focusing on heavy pallet loads, but has since evolved to include smaller loads. That's why you will see e-commerce, jewelry and other industries making use of them today. For a deeper classification of Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems, here's how the material handling industry (MHI) explains it: "These systems automatically locate the required inventory and deliver it to a conveyor system, manually discharge or ergonomically Compared with manual storage methods, this can reduce labor, floor space and inventory levels, while improving accuracy and productivity. Typical storage applications include order picking, tools, consolidation, work in process, and in the environment Buffering in cold, frozen or clean room environments. "

Benefits of ASRS

So why use ASRS instead of traditional people and equipment? Automated storage and retrieval systems bring unique benefits to industries ranging from automotive and manufacturing to pharmaceutical and distribution warehouses. They are not ideal for every industry, but they can help save costs and time. Specifically, ASRS:

• Reduce parts and product costs

• Reduce labor costs

• Maximize storage space

• Increase security

• Achieve seamless processing and logistics

• Make tracking more efficient

Of course, if the facility is not constructed properly, you will not enjoy these benefits. Every construction element is as important as AS / RS  itself.

When was the ASRS system invented?

Storage and retrieval machines have been a fixture in global supply chains for nearly 60 years. The technology we now call the Automatic Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) was originally developed by Demag's predecessor Demag. Its innovative foundation has been in today's modern high-bay warehouses and effectively controls the material flow in industry and logistics. In the 1950s, most of the supply chains within the walls of warehouses or distribution centers were manually operated and located close to the ground. A fleet of forklifts and reach trucks transports most of the cargo and uses conveyor technology. Heavier parts and loads must be stored on the ground, while the height restrictions of the forklift keep the shelf height low, resulting in a large open distribution warehouse occupying the land. Such a large space also means that inventory should be stored as much as possible without the need for demand-oriented control of material flow and picking.

Demag's engineers Friedhelm Podswyna, Horst-Werner Ruttkamp,and Werner Kühn came up with a revolutionary idea: turn the storage shelf literally upside down and then fix it to the ceiling. In this way, the mobile mast with the rotary lifting device can be moved up and down on each rack aisle to access the items stored in the rack. This shelf may be taller than any forklift can lift, enabling higher, denser storage.

The first storage and retrieval machine went into operation in 1962 and was installed in the Bertelsmann Book Club warehouse in Gütersloh, Germany. Although it was controlled manually from the cab on the mast, it did have some automation ... it was controlled by punch cards. For Germany, the timing of this innovative approach to supply chain operations couldn't be more appropriate, as it rose from the booming 1950s to meet the challenges of the 1960s. High-density storage helps companies cope with growing energy consumption, rising energy prices, and shrinking space in distribution centers in cities and industrial centers. In addition, the ability to automate has eased the increase in wages in the region. ASRS stayed here ... Until the 1970s, the warehouse ceiling and rack rails were stuck. However, advances in engineering and computer science have made it possible to upend distribution centers again. The shelves were lowered to the ground, and the masts climbed from the floor, retrieving inventory with new strength and speed. These changes reduce the sway load at high altitudes, allowing for faster, more frequent, and more specific selection of multiple aisles.

By the 1980s, ASRS devices had spread throughout the African continent and became popular in North America and many other regions of the world. The rate of innovation is as fast as the system itself and rises to new heights. ASRS facilities are now called elevated warehouses because they raise the potential elevator height to as high as 45 meters (nearly 150 feet). System technology is also evolving, including AS / RS  machines that may switch from aisle to aisle. In the 1980s and 1990s, computer and IT technologies and software-controlled warehouse technologies were expanded. Sensors, magnets and lasers were introduced to measure distance and position with unprecedented accuracy. The stepless drive system requires less energy and new load handling equipment penetrates the rack, enabling different container and pallet systems to serve new markets.

Even though we have entered the 21st century, ASRS shows no signs of slowing down. Today, the list of automated things is growing and more industries will need Automatic Storage and Retrieval System. If you are looking for a company that will take the time to understand your personal business needs, products, future growth plans and space requirements, Jiangsu NOVA Intelligent Logistics Equipment Co., Ltd. will be a wise choice.