Drive Technology Driving logistics forward COVID-19 has seen the number of parcels skyrocket as consumers shift to eCommerce. Osem Jibrail, SEW-Eurodrive’s national industry specialist for parcel logistics tells Manufacturer’s Monthly about the components powering this shift.
T
HROUGHOUT the COVID-19 crisis, the number of parcels Australia Post delivered so far in 2020 increased by 26 million compared to 2019, according to an analysis from Deloitte Access Economics. The report, Economic assessment of Australia Post’s activities during COVID-19, found that Australia Post had helped facilitate an additional 25 million transactions that may not have occurred in-store because of lockdowns. Deloitte Access Economics partner John O’Mahony said the rise in demand came as lockdowns and restrictions on physical shopping drove consumers to online retailing. “Consumer behaviour has changed as a result of this health and economic crisis,” he said. “Businesses and individuals have had to adapt drastically to a changing climate. With many stores closed, or having limited physical operations, consumers have shifted to online purchases, resulting in changes to delivery networks. This extravagant increase in demand gives a subsequent rise to such requirements as an increase in space, increase in stock on hand, shorter delivery times and a higher capacity for business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions. Osem Jibrail, SEW-Eurodrive’s national industry specialist for parcel logistics says that now more than ever,
reliability, availability, operational efficiency and cutting edge technology are instilled into the automated parcel handling systems therefore forming a stable backbone. “If a parcel handling centre’s capacity is overrun due to an increase in incoming and outgoing goods, it can cause gridlocks, lost or damaged items, and subsequent delays to the complete process,” Jibrail said. A well-designed parcel handling system is capable of meeting the required throughput along with some built-in contingencies. This includes operational fall back plans which address the most common scenarios that can occur in an automated system. Having said that, there is only so much you can plan for. This is why a great deal of the burden falls onto the lower level components of the system, such as the mechanical and electrical parts. This includes conveyors, bearings, motors, drives and control systems. Being a market leader in geared motors and drive control systems, SEW is well seasoned in how those burdens need to be handled in order to maintain system functionality and reliable operation. SEW-Eurodrive, a manufacturer of drive technology, works with parcel handling organisations to ensure their systems are ready for anything. Its gearboxes drives and motors have been used around the world in
industries such as mining, logistics, airports and food manufacturing. “We take a lot of time and effort to find out more about our customers and their needs,” he says. “From a technical perspective, we look for what makes a system tick, a site’s key productivity indicators, and what they need to achieve them.” Collaborating with the respective stakeholders as well as other machine suppliers or manufacturers involved is key to providing the best solution for the demand. Doing so allows SEW to coordinate its drive technology for precise automation, a growing trend amongst SEW-Eurodrive customers. Automated technology can remove workers from potentially dangerous or repetitive activities in a facility. For example, a fulfilment centre would store a range of products at heights, repeatedly retrieving those products for orders could pose a safety hazard. Automated storage and retrieval systems with Industry 4.0-enabled technology removes those risks entirely. In addition, fast, multi-axis movements, sometimes with high accelerations and repetitive start/stops, are required for storing incoming goods. To ensure the process moves smoothly, SEWEurodrive offers highly dynamic servo drive technology and the relevant controllers and software. Thoroughly understanding a client’s needs can also lead to simpler
start-ups, as the use of appropriate and modular drive components combined to fit a particular purpose is quite a common occurrence. Keeping complexity low is a key target for SEW-Eurodrive, according to Jibrail. He said the goal is to simplify all aspects of the proposed solution where possible, so as to sustain a simple maintenance and operations model. Minimising maintenance requirements is a major goal for any organisation. With minimal maintenance requirements comes minimal staffing, spare part holdings, maintenance related training, knowhow and overheads. SEW-Eurodrive has also invested in resources in building up its Australian support network, holding more than $30 million worth of additional stock to support the needs of local industry. While the company is headquartered in Germany, it operates seven branches in Australia at Townsville, Mackay, Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Adelaide and Melbourne. Jibrail said what makes SEWEurodrive stand out in the industry is care factor, long-term performance and collaborations with clients. SEW Eurodrive offers 24-hour/7 days support through a dedicated hotline and online support for emergency breakdowns and troubleshooting (1300 36 34 32).
SEW-Eurodrive has also invested in resources in building up its Australian support network, holding more than $30 million worth of additional stock to support the needs of local industry.
manmonthly.com.au
Manufacturers’ Monthly AUGUST 2020 37
