Case Studies
Advanced Cold Storage Logistics for Sensitive Drugs at Roche
Overview
Analytics & Modeling - Predictive Analytics Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems Functional Applications - Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) | |
Healthcare & Hospitals Pharmaceuticals | |
Quality Assurance Warehouse & Inventory Management | |
Track & Trace of Assets Warehouse Automation | |
Software Design & Engineering Services System Integration Training | |
Operational Impact
The high-bay cold storage is a self-supporting steel silo structure with a height of approximately 29 meters and a volume of more than 40,000 cubic meters. It operates at 2 °C to 8 °C. The roof and wall cladding is attached directly to the supports and roof girders without using additional components. The base plate is 10 meters below ground so that from the outside the structure has a visible height of 20 meters above ground. The cold storage has four aisles for single-deep storage. Storage and retrieval of the 8,100 pallets is fully automated using Vectura cranes from Swisslog. Their clear height is 26.5 meters, and the aisle length is 73.57 meters. Each crane has a maximum load capacity of 1,000 kilograms per storage or retrieval unit. The system can handle approximately 120 in- and outfeeds per hour. | |
The deep-freeze storage is a channel storage system consisting of a freestanding steel structure. It houses 2 x 10 channels with 5 pallets each and 2 x 8 channels with 6 pallets each. Of the 196 pallet locations, 54 are suitable for weights up to 1.4 tons while the others can handle weights of up to 1 ton. The deep-freeze storage has one aisle. A fully automated multi-depth crane with multiple load handling attachments can access all channels; their ends are equipped with push-through guards. The system can handle approximately 40 in- and outfeeds per hour. For safety reasons, the area is surrounded by a fence with a height of two meters which has four access doors. | |
The entire storage facility is cooled using recirculating cooling units. Fire safety is ensured through inertization (reducing the oxygen concentration of the air). Air locks and air curtains minimize the temperature and air exchange between the various storage areas. The new high-bay cold storage is separated by reinforced-concrete firewalls from an adjoining warehouse and a building used to transfer stock. A staircase tower attached to the outside facade of the warehouse acts as an escape route from the service platforms for the cooling units and allows roof access for repair and maintenance purposes. | |
Quantitative Benefit
The high-bay cold storage warehouse has 8,100 pallet locations. | |
The deep-freeze warehouse offers room for 196 pallets. | |
The high-bay cold storage operates at temperatures between 2 °C and 8 °C. | |