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f+h Intralogistics 2/2015

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f+h Intralogistics 2/2015

FROM RESEARCH Creation

FROM RESEARCH Creation of timetables for clocked tugger trains: consumer sets the pace 14 f+h Intralogistics 2/2015

FROM RESEARCH Willibald A. Günthner, Marco Dewitz, Thomas Arlt As part of a research cooperation with the Institute for Materials Handling, Material Flow, Logistics at the Technischen Universität München (TUM), a logic to create timetables for clocked tugger trains was developed, which is currently being used in several vehicle plants. Prof. Dr.-Ing. Dipl.-Wirtsch.-Ing. Willibald A. Günthner is a full-time professor working for the Institute for Materials Handling, Material Flow, Logistics (fml) at the Technischen Universität München (TUM) in Germany Dipl.-Ing. Marco Dewitz is a research assistant at the same Institute Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Arlt is Manager Material Control, Deliverence Assurance, Capacity Steering Powertrain Systems BMW Group In practice, tugger trains are used more and more frequently to facilitate the high-frequency provision of materials. In comparison to standard direct transport using a forklift truck, for example, this method ensures that even small batches and containers can be transported economically, while also ensuring that the stock levels and surface area of the production facility can be reduced. These are just some of the reasons why the BMW Group has decided to introduce standardized tugger train systems in all of its vehicle plants [1]. As part of a research cooperation with the Institute for Materials Handling, Material Flow, Logistics at the TUM, a logic to create timetables for clocked tugger trains was developed, which is currently being used in several vehicle plants. Transparency using clocked Routes In most cases, tugger trains run along fixed routes and are controlled in accordance with a clocked timetable similar to that of public transport [2]. As part of its tugger train concept, the BMW Group also uses clocked tugger trains with predefined routes as this provides a variety of advantages. On the one hand, fixed routes ensure a targeted control of the flow of traffic within the plant, for example, by introducing one-way routes or targeted relief of sections of the route that are used a lot. On the other hand, fixed scheduling ensures that tugger trains are synchronized with upstream and downstream processes. Logistic systems are subject to continuous changes that can, for example, change the container throughput rate. Figure 01 details some of the factors from the automotive industry that have an impact on the average throughput rate and cause continuous fluctuations. While on clocked tugger trains, the later can only be controlled using spare capacity, an intelligent control system (e.g. postponing the release of orders), or special processes, changes to the average throughput rate generally lead to changes to the routes and/or cycle times. One of the aims is to guarantee supply reliability while affect 01 Possible influencing factors on the mid and inter-day flow (fluctuations) f+h Intralogistics 2/2015 15

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