A collaborative development of a solution to deliver a system that is scalable and can grow with Symbion’s business expansion plans. This facility provides industry leading service levels in a competitive market place. The collaborative partnership continued through construction, commissioning, software testing and ramp-up support.
System Key Figures
Building area 9,500 m²
SSI Cuby footprint over 1,500 m²
Stock lines up to 20,000 (medicines and pharmacy lines)
Order lines per day up to 85,000 order lines per day
Fast order turnaround times, even on peak days
High picking productivity and accuracy
Minimal shortages and maximum degree of order fulfilment
High resilience and redundancy to ensure continuity of supply
Capacity to deal with future business growth without additional capital expenditure
High space utilization
Fast ramp-up time and migration from previous site
Functionally rich Warehouse Control System
This 3D-MATRIX Solution® design means that any bin can be delivered to any pick station, increasing picking efficiency, enhancing flexibility, and reducing order processing time. It also enhances stock accessibility meaning minimum stock levels and a larger SKU range can be kept.
The goods-to-person system enables operators to pick directly to the order containers from the two-level Advanced Pick Stations. The ergonomic solution from SSI SCHAEFER has been specifically developed for this task and makes goods to person picking highly efficient. It provides clear user guidance and monitors picking accuracy via light curtains to ensure the right product is placed in the right order bin.
The Brisbane facility incorporates an A-Frame over 60 m long. The SSI SCHAEFER A-Frame is an automated order picking solution which enables rapid processing of multiple orders, even under peak loads. At Symbion Brisbane there are 1,500 configurable product channels and the A-Frame is replenished via the adjacent carton live storage for bins, which is automatically replenished by the SSI Cuby shuttles.
The order finishing area includes Strapping machines, Lid Closing machines, Document Drops for various shipping documentation and despatch ramps at outbound. The incoming goods area consists of automatically supplied decanting stations and features a tare scale to ensure loading accuracy and tolerance checking. The site also incorporates a vault for controlled and dangerous medications, a fridge for refrigerated items and a pallet racking area for bulk storage and non-binnable items.
The system, for the first time in Australia, includes WEASEL® automated guided vehicles transporting cased and binned goods across a pedestrian walkway to ensure maximum space utilization and minimal disruption to Symbion staff.
The automated system is managed by WAMAS® logistics software. This includes the A-Frame, SSI Cuby shuttle system, 3D-MATRIX Solution®, goods-to-person two level Advanced Pick Stations and RF picking. The WEASEL® AGVs and the other various handling machines in the system are also managed by WAMAS®, as are the management screens and system reporting.
To provide optimal system performance, Symbion has opted for SSI SCHAEFER’s Resident Maintenance Module, a comprehensive service philosophy whereby SSI SCHAEFER service engineers are located on the site. This proactive service ensures any issues that arise are attended to immediately, delivering maximum up-time and optimal performance of the system, which are critical factors for the success of the project.
Symbion Brisbane Case Study GLOBAL version
