While the main objective of the industry is to increase productivity and reduce process costs, it should also focus on improving quality and increasing flexibility. Even though C-Parts represent only a small proportion of the purchase volume of the company, the procurement efforts involved here are very high. Hence, the potential for saving lies in the optimisation of processes.  iSCALE handles the logistical storage management of C-Parts almost on its own. Würth Industrie Service offers sensor-controlled weighing technology for the traditional Kanban material storage as well as for supply to the line and directly to the individual assembly stations. This flexible and independent application in the actual place of use is only possible because the system is operated without power and is controlled via new radio technology (IOT). The Kanban bin W-KLT®2.0 (Würth small load carrier 2.0) is equipped with a sensor-controlled scale, which continuously checks the weight inside the bin directly at the customer’s location and transfers the same via an encrypted interface to the ERP system of the C-Parts provider. Once the weight goes below a defined value, a notification is sent automatically to Würth Industrie Service, an order is initiated and a delivery is subsequently triggered. The scale system is designed for all the bin sizes of Würth Industrie Service following the VDA norm (2115, 3215, 4115, 4315) and is first implemented for the bin size 2115.

The benefits are significant: A fully-automated logistical stock management replaces the cumbersome stock-takings, re-orders and interim storage at the customer’s location. As the inventory is continuously audited, any fluctuations and peaks can be identified in time, and thus, the supply security can be maximised. iSCALE is particularly suitable for manufacturing companies having irregular requirements of direct materials. In addition to that, the process is economised significantly by reducing the tied-up capital, since high inventory levels can be reduced at customer’s location, and in turn, areas for storage spaces.

iSCALE is an important part of several from the entirety of procurement and logistics solutions of Würth Industrie Service. With iSCALE, it is possible to deliver to the central storage locations as well as seamlessly supply to the exact place of requirement and the individual assembly area. Thus, the processes are completely networked as defined by the principles of lean factory. In this way, the C-Parts management partner offers an additional solution within the production and operating materials supply, using which the users can further digitalise their entire delivery chain and make it more transparent. Thus, the processes are so simplified that the customers or the production employees no longer have to themselves order any materials required. On the basis of the weight, the intelligent system independently identifies the exact requirement for material and automatically notifies the same to the ERP system of Würth Industrie Service. Thus, the entire supply chain and the flow of material to the place of use will be largely self-controlled.

Further information on different Kanban solutions at Würth Industrie Service is available on our website at www.wuerth-industrie.com/kanban.