Automated small parts warehouses (AKL) - dynamic and flexible

An automated small parts warehouse (AS/RS) enables high handling speeds and fast access to goods. Unitechnik offers dynamic miniload solutions that are optimally integrated into your warehouse technology to achieve high storage density and space efficiency. We analyze your processes, design tailor-made small parts warehouses and select the right components. The small parts warehouse portfolio includes storage and retrieval machines, shuttle systems, walking beam storage systems and the innovative Skypod system from Exotec. Warehouse management is carried out using our modular "UniWare" software. Our service also includes the electrical and mechanical maintenance of your miniload.

Both autonomous vehicles and conventional conveyor technology can be used to connect the automated small parts warehouse with other intralogistics components.

Advantages of an automated small parts warehouse

Hoher Durchsatz bei kurzer Reaktionszeit – Automatische Kleinteilelager ermöglichen schnelle Zugriffe und dynamische Abläufe, ideal für Sortier-, Kommissionier- und Nachschubprozesse mit hohem Tempo.

Fast and flexible

Effizienz trifft Wirtschaftlichkeit – Durch kompakte Bauweise, automatisierte Prozesse und geringe Betriebskosten bieten moderne AKL-Lösungen ein hervorragendes Verhältnis von Investition zu Leistung.

Good price/performance ratio

Abläufe ohne manuelles Eingreifen – Vom Ein- bis zum Auslagerprozess laufen alle Bewegungen automatisch und softwaregesteuert ab, was Präzision, Sicherheit und Geschwindigkeit maximiert.

Fully automatic

Flexibilität für jede Ladeeinheit – Behälter, Tablare und andere Kleinladungsträger mit variablen Maßen lassen sich problemlos lagern und effizient in bestehende Abläufe integrieren.

Various load carriers

More on the advantages and disadvantages of automated logistics systems

From the selection of manufacturers to complete integration

Conceptual design
Component and manufacturer selection
Realization from a single source
Ramp-up management, training and service

Control of logistics processes

UniWare warehouse management system ensures maximum efficiency
Optimization of existing processes
Integration of all new processes into the logistics processes
Maximum process reliability and stability
UniWare: warehouse management, material flow control and system visualization in one system. You can find more information here

Automated small parts warehouse with shuttle system: View of a modern high-bay warehouse with several red shuttles that move autonomously between the shelves.

Small parts storage technologies

AKL with shuttles

Shuttle system with red-painted shuttle vehicles in the automated small parts warehouse with gray plastic containers

Large number of vehicles within the racking system
Flexibly adaptable to building geometry
Level and aisle changes possible
Scalability of performance through additional shuttles
Multi-deep storage
Focus: storage and sorting

Performance in every dimension -shuttle system:

30 m height: maximum space utilization
High dynamics: for top performance
Flexible load carriers: containers, trays, variable
Scalability: grows with your needs
Temperature variety: normal, chilled, frozen
Limiting factor: only the lifter - not the system

3D representation of an automated small parts warehouse with shuttle system and several storage lifts for bin storage and retrieval

AKL with storage and retrieval unit(s)

Automated small parts warehouse (AKL) with storage and retrieval machine and dense storage rows of blue containers

Rail-guided, automatic vehicle for transportation
Single or double load handling attachment
Multi-deep storage
Focus: Storage

Classically strong - SRMs remain the first choice for high warehouse architecture with defined throughput:

Up to 25 m high: ideal for large heights
Performance: Medium - reliable in continuous operation
Flexible load carriers: Containers, trays, variable sizes
Scalability: Low - ideal for clearly defined requirements
Space utilization: Medium - proven structure with simple planning
Area of application: Normal, refrigerated and deep-freeze environments
Limiting factor: SRM travel speed

Automated mini-load warehouse with storage and retrieval machines (SRMs)

Walking beam memory

Walking beam storage with yellow plastic containers and central load handling device for automatic storage and retrieval

Consisting of two lift masts with mounted transfer carriages
Compact, closed design with low approach dimensions
Multi-deep storage
Focus: Storage and order consolidation

Compact and precise - the walking beam storage system is impressive when space and structure count:

Up to 18 m high: suitable for medium-height storage rooms
Performance: Medium - efficient with moderate throughput
Load carriers: Variable - containers and trays in various sizes
Scalability: Low - ideal for a stable system size
Space utilization: Medium - structured storage zones with clear paths
Temperature ranges: Normal, chilled, frozen
Limiting factor: Walking beam performance and capacity

Walking beam storage as a dynamic small parts warehouse

Skypod system from Exotec

Exotec Skypod system with autonomous robot for vertical storage operation in an automated container warehouse

Warehouse robots climb 12 m up the shelves
and move freely around the area
Containers or trays are transported autonomously to picking stations
Multi-deep storage
Focus: Storage and picking
You can find more information here

Flexible, scalable, future-proof - the Skypod system sets new standards in container logistics:

Height: up to 12 m - ideal for compact to medium-height warehouses
Performance: High & scalable - depending on the number of robots
Load carriers: Flexible - containers & trays, different heights
Scalability: Very high - grows dynamically with the system
Space utilization: Medium - good density with high access frequency
Temperature ranges: Normal & cool
Limiting factor: Area & number of robots per m²

Automated small parts warehouse: Skypod system from Exotec

Shelf-to-Person-Systeme

Autonomous transport vehicle (AMR) transports shelving unit with containers in shelf-to-person

Robots bring complete shelves directly to the picking station
Ergonomic operation without walking distances or bending down
Parallel order processing possible at several stations
High flexibility with changing product ranges and fluctuations in demand
Scalable performance thanks to additional robots and stations
Focus: Increased efficiency through dynamic goods-to-person logic

Direct performance - shelf-to-person systems offer:

Maximum ergonomics: the workstation comes to the employee
High speed: reduced picking times thanks to order bundling
Flexibility: ideal for dynamic product ranges and seasonal peaks
Modular design: grows with increasing storage requirements
Relief: robots take over transportation and shelf approach
Limiting factor: only the station - not the system itself

3D model of an automated shelf-to-person system with mobile robots, storage racks and integrated conveyor technology

Automated small parts warehouses - The system comparison

	RBG	Shuttle	Skypod system from Exotec	Cube storage	Walking beam storage
Max. height	25 m	30 m	12 m	8,20 m	18 m
Capacity	Medium	High	High, scalable	Medium, scalable	Medium
Load carriers	Containers, trays, variable sizes	Containers, trays, variable sizes	Containers, trays, different heights	Standard containers, one size	Containers, trays, variable sizes
Limiting Power factor	RBG capacity	Lifting capacity	Area	No. of robots per m²	Walking beam performance and capacity
Scalability	Low	High	Very high	High	Low
Degree of room utilization	Medium	Medium	Medium	High	medium
Temperature range	Normal, Cool, Freezer	Normal, Cool, Freezer	Normal, Cool	Normal, Cool	Normal, Cool, Freezer

Shuttle warehouse for Calibration Factory - Testo Industrial Services

Yusuf Kaya, Key Account Manager bei Unitechnik Systems, steht in einem dunkelblauen Sakko und hellem Pullover zwischen silbernen Förderbändern und grauen Kunststoffeimern in einer hell erleuchteten Werkshalle und lächelt freundlich in die Kamera.

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Shuttlelager für „Calibration Factory“ von Testo Industrial Services

Stories from our logistics projects

References and case studies for small parts warehouses

DEHN

Two shuttle warehouses, one pallet HBW, goods-to-person picking, multifunctional robots, production supply with AMR vehicles

Testo

The logistical centerpiece of the new Calibration Factory is a shuttle warehouse with 7000 storage spaces. The measuring equipment to be calibrated is temporarily stored here before and after processing.

B.E.G.

B.E.G. Brück Electronic GmbH: AutoStore warehouse for 5000 containers with 6 robots and 3 carousel ports, integration into the existing material flow

nobilia

Logistics center for 750,000 kitchens per year. Highly dynamic shuttle-AKL, high-bay warehouse, palletizing robots, WzP and PzW picking, UniWare MFS, ...

SIEMAG TECBERG

Space-saving storage for mining equipment and technology: This was the focus for the SIEMAG TECBERG group when building the new production, staging and spare parts warehouse.

Berg Pharmacy

Logistics center for pharmaceuticals and medical products, 4 aisles AKL, partially refrigerated, 20,600 containers, 72 flow channels, 18 workstations, 1,000 orders/day

Sander Gourmet

Unitechnik implemented a logistics center for delicatessen products for Sander Gourmet. The central component is a shuttle warehouse for 30,000 E2 containers with 120 shuttle vehicles.

INSTA

Logistics center and production warehouse: AKL for 27,000 containers, HRL for 2,500 pallets, conveyor technology and order picking on two floors, LVS UniWare

LSG Sky Chefs

Europe's most modern catering company. Overall responsibility for logistics systems: AKL, conveyor technology, LVS. Control and IT for electric monorail system

Eaton Electric GmbH

Central distribution center of Eaton Electric GmbH in Meckenheim. High-bay warehouse and order picking for 35,000 different articles

soft-carrier

Distribution center for office supplies, incl. renovation of the existing pallet and small parts warehouse, 47,000 containers and 2,600 pallets in 14 aisles

VOSS

Logistics center for automotive suppliers: 3-aisle miniload, 13,320 storage locations for trays, central sorting loop, 4 picking stations, SAP LES

60-second short videos of selected references

Your contact persons

M. Yusuf Kaya

Key Account Manager
Logistics Systems

T +49 2261 987-524
E-Mail | vCard

Andreas Klee

Key Account Manager
Logistics Systems

T +49 2261 987-525
E-Mail | vCard

Christian Mertens

Key Account Manager
Logistics Systems

T +49 2261 987-502
E-Mail | vCard

Michael Huhn

Head of Sales
Authorized signatory

T +49 2261 987-518
E-Mail | vCard

Worth knowing

Small parts warehouse planning

A good planning process requires clear and transparent structures - as in our proven 3-phase model. We would be happy to support you in planning your small parts warehouse as an integral part of your internal logistics.

Find out more about planning your small parts warehouse here

Automated small parts warehouse Costs

Would you like to know how much a warehouse costs? No problem, use our new warehouse planning tool. Enter the number of storage locations you require and we will compare two alternative solutions with space and personnel requirements as well as the investment budget. Try it out - quickly and anonymously.

Click here for the warehouse planning tool

White Paper

Automated Small Parts Storage - Technologies in Focus

The 7 pitfalls when building a logistics center

We have been implementing logistics projects as a general contractor for over 20 years. In the process, we have repeatedly noticed things that hinder the success of projects. We have described seven pitfalls in a PDF.

Download free of charge