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Staffing needs almost halved
The US cooperative Associated Wholesale Grocers keeps 54,600 dry goods, fresh produce, and frozen food items in stock for its 1,100 members using a highly automated, full-range logistics center . The facility is designed for a daily picking capacity of more than 460,000 retail units.
Knowledge transfer in the Seychelles
Natural hazards are increasingly occurring worldwide in the form of floods, landslides, forest fires, storms, earthquakes, and rockfalls. Acute crisis management is required, but so are long-term strategies for transportation routes, where Gasser Felstechnik provides assistance in the Seychelles.
German Design Award for Traigo-i
Following the Red Dot Design Award 2025, Toyota Material Handling's new 48-volt counterbalance forklift, Traigo_i, has now also received the German Design Award 2026 in the Excellent Product Design – Industry category. The focus: the complete integration of lithium-ion technology.
Long-term contracts at SBB Cargo
Numerous SBB Cargo Switzerland transport customers, such as Migros, have signed new single wagonload (EWLV) contracts with terms of up to ten years. New contracts have also reportedly been concluded with fenaco, Stahl Gerlafingen, and the Swiss saltworks.
Cooperation with Capra Robotics
Frei Fördertechnik announces its future collaboration with the Danish robotics specialist Capra. "This expands our portfolio to include mobile robot platforms that bring even greater flexibility and efficiency to production and logistics," says Michael Schüpbach, Head of Automation & Robotics. The AMRs are versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications.
SSI subsidiary continues to consistently rely on SAP
Since 2021, the software specialists at SWAN have been part of the SSI Schäfer Group, responsible for the SAP projects of the globally active intralogistics experts and supporting companies in implementing future-proof solutions – from highly automated distribution centers to integrated production logistics. The course is right.
Arne Sturm will be the new CEO in Hirschthal
Jungheinrich Switzerland will have a new managing director as of January 1, 2026. Arne Sturm will succeed Martin Weber, who is leaving the company after 18 years – eleven of them as managing director – at his own request to pursue new topics and challenges.
Another 50 million for new TGW headquarters
TGW Logistics is currently investing €100 million in expanding its production capacity at its headquarters in Austria. Now, with an expansion of the existing office building at the site, a five-story office building with 14,000 m² of usable space is being constructed for around €50 million, with completion expected by the second half of 2028.
AutoStore for Belgian hospitals
AutoStore system for Maria Middelares, a non-profit medical organization in Belgium, and Aalter in East Flanders, about 60 km west of Brussels.
Reliable data instead of empty phrases.
The Basel Logistics Cluster of the Basel Chamber of Commerce (HKBB), together with the cantons of Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, industry associations, and infrastructure operators, has published a guide to sustainable logistics in the Basel region. Supply chain expert Daniel Bubendorf explains why such a guide is needed.
Robot not always at an advantage
Robot not always at an advantage
Photo: Afag
Afag has been offering feeding, handling, and transport solutions for assembly automation for 60 years. Robots have long been competing with this traditional field. However, a sheet metal worker isn't always necessary to deliver reasonable results. Competition should create clarity.
It's generally assumed that industrial robots always cheaper, faster, and more powerful . Doubts about their "simplicity" arise, especially when it comes to connecting the controller. Afag's automation specialists wanted to be certain: "We subjected both systems to practical testing," explains Sales Director Georg Geissler. "We wanted to find out through a direct comparison which would be superior in a specific application – a SCARA robot (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) or one of our axis systems." A setup with precisely defined design and application requirements was developed, and an independent engineering firm was commissioned to evaluate the results.
"We chose a placement cell as our playing field; the workpiece carrier is moved in and out like a drawer," explains Tatjana Götz, Product Manager at Afag. In the cell, pins are separated, prepared, inspected, and finally inserted into the workpiece. "The test subjects had to join the pins reliably, precisely, and firmly," Götz continues. "And they were also not allowed to exceed a set budget." Translated into numbers: a cycle time of 1.5 seconds and a repeatability of 0.03 millimeters, as well as a joining force of 150 Newtons across the entire series. The testers also observed other criteria – including whether real-time joining force measurement was possible, what mechanical reserves the system had, and what process forces acted on the machine frame.
The test consisted of an Afag EPS maxi XYZ axis system and a standard 4-axis SCARA robot with two rotation axes. The EPS maxi XYZ consists of standard components from the Afag range. A PDL30-630 gantry axis with a stroke of 630 millimeters forms the x-axis. An ES30-300 electric slide with a stroke of 300 millimeters serves as the y-axis, and an ES30-50 electric slide with a stroke of 50 millimeters serves as the z-axis. The test subjects are equipped with the same 2-jaw parallel gripper and must perform strokes of 310 (x), 30 (y), and 39 millimeters (z). The one-hour test series took place under identical conditions at the robot manufacturer's facility and in the Afag test room in Hardt. The respective specialist personnel carried out the test series and representatives of the engineering office were present as 'referees' and were responsible for the evaluation.
"Both systems met all the essential requirements, but the axis system was the overall winner," says product manager Tatjana Götz happily. "It operates slightly more precisely, is eleven percent faster with a cycle time of 1.35 seconds, is about 30 percent cheaper, and with a joining force of 255 Newtons, 70 percent stronger than the robot." It scores significant advantages in rigidity and force measurement. "Our axis system was only significantly defeated in one category," Jürgen Schädle, sales engineer at Afag, freely admits. "The tried-and-tested system doesn't feel sexy enough. The robot makes a more modern visual impression." The best solution for a specific automation task is not automatically a robot from the standard range.
