At the 31st German Material Flow Congress in Munich, the VDI honoured the innovative logistics solution „cv.Crossdock“ from cellumation GmbH with the VDI Logistics Innovation Award 2024. The modular conveyor system sorts objects from different numbers of inputs to different numbers of outputs.
In so-called crossdocking, the incoming goods are prepared for dispatch directly from the unloading point without intermediate storage and routed to the end customer or other distribution points. The cv.Crossdock is based on this method and, as a component in the material flow, distributes objects from any number of inputs to any number of outputs. The new solution from cellumation optimises nodes in existing material flow layouts (e.g. in retrofitting) and enables new planning options for efficient and robust overall solutions.
Thanks to its modular design, this conveyor system adapts to its environment, the object sizes to be conveyed and the sorting requirements. This means that dozens of objects can be placed on the cv.Crossdock Fast and collision-proof in all directions independently of each other move and cross.
The cv.Crossdock consists of any number of hexagonal robot cells, each with three omnidirectional wheels (so-called omniwheels). Above the surface, a 3D camera recognises the individual objects and acts as the „eye“ of the system, transmitting information on size and height to the software. This controls the omniwheels independently of each other in a 360° angle and Enables controlled movements on the smallest surfaces. Thanks to the vision system, objects can be identified and their movements precisely tracked.
The cv.Crossdock ensures safe and fast transport even for difficult goods (such as polybags, paperbags, bags or even damaged cartons). At the exit, the object always leaves the celluveyor in the desired orientation: short side or long side first, centred or aligned at the edge. This process step is in the Celluveyor included - no subsequent processes are required for alignment.
This innovation for sorting objects in intralogistics Enables the automation of movement sequences, which previously had to be carried out manually (with great physical effort) or through complex (and failure-prone) component chains.
If, as part of a retrofit or brownfield project, an existing layout needs to be made more efficient, a node needs to be rectified or manual processes need to be replaced, the cv.Crossdock can be integrated with minimal invasiveness. To ensure seamless compatibility, this component communicates with its environment via industrial interfaces such as Profinet or EthernetIP. The system is plug'n'play integrated on site in one and a half days and put into operation, minimising downtime during a conversion phase.
Source: VDI e.V.
