It is about an initiative led by Supply Chain and Systems that facilitates the logistics cycle that supplies tin and hot steel coils to Ramallo, Sidercrom, and Serviacero III plants.
The new vehicle has an automatic linkage semi-trailer system and higher security benefits.
The project incorporates the use of a vehicle called “Terminal Tractor,” specifically designed to move semi-trailers from one place to another in the same logistic yard. The distinctive design of the “Terminal Tractor” includes, between its benefits, an automatic semi-trailer linkage system, which is operated from the booth; compacted distance between axes to move in smalls places; direct access for the driver to the linkage system, without the need of getting off the vehicle; and 360° visibility.
Rodrigo Rabasedas, Logistics Director, comments: “The Terminal Tractor will be assigned in a specific internal circuit in General Savio Plant, to perform the loading and transport of steel coils from different storages to a Transfer Yard, in which it is realized the uncoupling of the loaded semi-trailer, so it can be coupled to an empty semi-trailer, and start another loading internal circuit.” He also added: “On the other hand, in a simultaneous way, a conventional truck, which realizes an external circuit between General Savio plant and Ramallo plant, then it goes to the mentioned Transfer Yard to perform the uncouple of its empty semi-trailer and couple the loaded semi-trailer to complete the restock process,” he concluded.
The Transfer Yard is in the interconnection area between the internal and external circuit previously mentioned. This space was a truck parking, which was recovered and adapted for this project.
“With this implementation, it is intended to optimize the current restock time in Ramallo plant, increasing a 20% the load per trip and, consequently, maximising the use of the fleet and improving the service competence,” Sergio García Facciotti, Supply Chain Director, explained.
The virtual assistant works across an instant messaging and QR code reader application.
Logistics Bot, virtual assistant for speeding up the process
The project is supported by a Logistic Bot, a system that works across an instant messaging and QR reading application, implemented in all logistics processes. With this tool, it was defined the custom offices area in General Savio plant, strategic points with QR code reader to position trucks in the diverse process stages, instructions for drivers of where they should go, load indications for forklift and crane operators, coupling/uncoupling in the Transfer Yard and access and downloading in Ramallo plant.
“The driver operates in an independent way in the Transfer Yard. Across its collaborative function, the Logistic Bot allows the record of the semi-trailer coupling and uncoupling. Besides, it generates instructions for drivers about the next process stage,” Adrian Abud, IT Project Leader, explained. On the other hand, Juan Pablo Favre, member of the Systems team, who took care of the implementation, added: “All the involved equipment has the possibility of interconnecting with the support of the Logistic Bot across QR codes, WMS, RFID connected with the NAC Custom System to make more efficient this restock circuit.”
“With this process in action, we gain efficiency and security in the restocking in Ramallo. Also, with the system integrated to the Logistic Bot, the NAC (New Active Cycle) information can be updated in real time, digitalizing the processes and avoiding a manual recording of data”, Jorgelina Wirsch, IT Senior Manager, concluded.