Consortium at University of applied sciences Frankfurt researches innovative intra-logistics solutions for Frankfurt airport
Research project „SimFö” is funded by the LOEWE-Program
In parallel to the growth of the market, the demands on the logistics, production, storage and material flow processes of companies are increasing: the reason for the start-up company benjamin GmbH to develop the concept of “fluid logistics”, the research project “SimFö – Simulation of Innovative Conveying Technology” has now been included in the funding line 3: SME Collaboration Project (Module B) of the LOEWE program of the State of Hesse. The technology of the Fluids Logistics is an intra-logistic solution that allows a variety of goods to move freely from the rails as well as individually in the room. Under the guidance of the FH Frankfurt (university of applied science) an object library for simulation programs will be developed. The performance of the fluids logistics is simulated simularly on a part of the baggage handling system at the Frankfurt airport.
Partners include benjamin Systems GmbH, SimPlan AG, Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main as well as Fraport AG. The two-module project is funded by the Hessian Ministry of Science and the Arts. Around € 325,000 from the LOEWE program (Land Offensive for the Development of Scientific-Economic Excellence) will flow into the first module. The total project volume (modules 1 and 2) is almost one million euros.
“With “SimFö”, we demonstrate the efficiency and efficiency of the fluids logistics in transport, warehousing, handling and production areas and provide the intralogistics market with a simulation module for simulation software already used today, “explains Prof. Dr. Kai-Oliver Schocke , Professor of Production Management and Logistics at FH Frankfurt and consortium leader of the research project.
Fraport provides the application data for the simulation of a part of the baggage handling system. “Fluid logistics is a highly innovative, future-oriented technology. Fraport AG attaches great importance to the pursuit of such innovative approaches and to support research projects through our participation,” says Alexander Laukenmann, Head of Corporate Development, Environment and Sustainability at Fraport AG. Researchers at the University of Applied Sciences Frankfurt and Goethe University Frankfurt are currently testing the control algorithm and develop them. “In the future, the suitcase will be heavily compressed and “parked” on a surface against today’s technology, and will only be moved via the control software in case of need. This solution saves space and energy,” explains Project Manager Prof. Dr. Kai-Oliver Schock. Within the scope of the project, the scientists want to test whether the algorithms can cope with 5,000 cases at the same time and which area space is needed.
benjamin Systems GmbH intends to implement this algorithm in the control software of “fluid logistics” and to connect the control software to a simulation software. The object library “SimFö”, which is necessary for the simulation software, is developed by SimPlan AG within the framework of the project and can be applied at a later stage in different simulation programs. Companies that are faced with the decision to introduce new logistics solutions can also use the simulation software implementation of “fluid logistics”.
The research project will be housed in the House of Logistics & Mobility (HOLM) building from April 2014 onwards. HOLM in the immediate vicinity of Frankfurt Airport and is a neutral cooperation platform for joint research and development activities of institutions and companies active in the fields of logistics and mobility.
More information on HOLM can be found at www.frankfurt-holm.de
The project „SimFö” (HA-Project-No.: 405/13-44) is funded within the framework of Hesse model projects from the resources of the LOEWE-Landesoffensive for the development of scientific and economic excellence, Fördergerie 3: KMU-Verbundjob.