Abstract: The fashion industry is rapidly evolving, with new styles launched weekly. Therefore, the industry requires powerful, highly automated logistics systems, especially for the booming e-commerce sector. Logistics systems specialists Dürkopp Fördertechnik, with support from Weidmüller, significantly reduced project timelines.
The latest fashion trends may be on the runway today and appearing on the high street or online the next day. Therefore, the fashion industry has an enormous need for an efficient supply chain. Dürkopp Fördertechnik, headquartered in Bielefeld, Germany, is one of the leading providers of in-store logistics solutions, having established system benchmarks for transporting and sorting flat and hanging garments.
The boom in e-commerce has driven Dürkopp's demand for developing larger systems aimed at efficiently automating complex processes in this market while reducing project timelines for its clients.
RFID creates a unique tag for each product.
Dürkopp recognized these needs early on and responded to the increasingly diverse products in the fashion industry by expanding its proven and well-regarded hanging garment adapter system to include flat-pack sorting bags for items such as shoe boxes and accessories. Each product is uniquely tagged using RFID transponders integrated into the product carriers. With millions of adapters in use daily, the system's reliability and flexibility are undeniable.
Traditional material handling systems are designed around a main panel, dispensers, and sensor-actuator interfaces. For large sorting equipment, Dürkopp combines some of these systems in a decentralized manner to form a comprehensive system covering an area equivalent to several football fields. In this way, each control unit can have its own panel. To complete large projects (such as e-commerce supplier projects) in the shortest possible time, material handling experts focused on pluggable sensor-actuator wiring using M23 ring connectors. Weidmüller provided all necessary components in pre-assembled wiring assemblies, along with corresponding combinations and lengths, significantly simplifying pre-wiring at the Dürkopp plant. Simultaneously, timely marking was achieved using Weidmüller's integrated marking system. Thus, by employing these two solutions, equipment assembly time was significantly reduced.
Pre-assembly can significantly shorten debugging time and avoid installation errors.
The SAI distributor can complete the connection, tagging, and testing operations within 30 minutes.
Faster on-site commissioning
Previously, on-site installation took two hours; now, it can be completed in the workshop in approximately 30 minutes. Upon installation, the SAI distributor and its 16 connections are already wrapped, marked, and tested, ready for immediate use upon insertion. Another advantage is that because the wiring harness is pluggable, maintenance and future expansion are much easier. Material handling systems can often continue operating 24/7 for decades. Even during maintenance, downtime is minimized. Manfred Sportelli, head of electrical design and production, emphasizes, “For us, any component that is pluggable can achieve a pluggable effect.” Mr. Sportelli has been responsible for control technology at Dürkopp for over 40 years. From the beginning, he focused on how to utilize Weidmüller's wiring solutions. “Pre-assembly allows us to significantly reduce commissioning time and avoid installation errors.”
Combining automation and digital technologies
From shop floor preparation to commissioning, service, and maintenance, Weidmüller solutions help Dürkopp keep pace with the rapidly evolving fashion logistics industry. Digital technologies can further optimize these solutions. The two companies are currently engaged in further discussions to determine how to drive future success.
Regarding Weidmüller
As a seasoned expert in industrial connectivity, Weidmüller provides products, solutions, and services to customers and partners worldwide in industrial environments encompassing power, signaling, and data processing. Rooted in these industries and markets, Weidmüller is confident in its ability to meet future technological challenges.
Weidmüller is committed to development, providing innovative, sustainable, and efficient solutions to meet the diverse needs of its customers. Therefore, we have jointly set the standard in the field of industrial connectivity.
Currently, the Weidmüller Group has manufacturing plants, sales companies, and liaison offices in more than 80 countries around the world.
