AutoStore Transfer Cells: A Versatile Automated Solution

A common problem in material handling and logistics is moving items quickly through multiple areas of the warehouse — receiving, sorting, storing, picking, packing, and shipping, to name a few. Without an optimized layout and proper automation, transferring products through all of these areas can become time-consuming and labor- intensive. To run smoothly and efficiently, AutoStore users commonly implement transfer cells into their Grids to move AutoStore Bins in and out of the system. How do transfer cells work, who uses them, and what is the benefit? Learn more in this article.

What is a transfer cell?

The purpose of a transfer cell is to allow Bins to leave the AutoStore system to undergo various tasks away from the AutoStore Grid. Without it, activities such as sorting, packing, staging, or loading would require manual handling that slows down fulfillment speeds.

Typically, a transfer cell is connected with material handling equipment like conveyors, mobile robots, or robotic arms. This equipment aids in moving goods efficiently to their next destination within the warehouse, whether that's to be stored, further processed, or prepared for shipping.

Transfer cells play a key role in automated and semi-automated warehouses, where they act as connection points between different systems or zones, ensuring smooth transitions and minimizing handling time. While reducing the time and physical constraints required of human labor, they also ensure that the right items are in the right place at the right time.  

How do AutoStore transfer cells work?

As mentioned, transfer cells are common parts of AutoStore systems around the world that allow users to move Bins freely in and out of the Grid. This type of system configuration is comprised of an empty Bin stack on the Grid's perimeter that is connected to a conveyor or automated mobile robot (AMR) that carry Bins away from the Grid.

Here’s how it works: Robots retrieve storage Bins as they normally would and move them to the transfer cell locations. They lower the Bins directly onto an outbound conveyor that carries them to various parts of the warehouse for completion of automated or manual tasks. Bins then continue along the belt and return to the storage Grid via an inbound conveyor loop. The German company Ludwig Meister uses the setup to weigh items before inducting them into their storage Grid, as shown in the video below:

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Are AutoStore totes flexible enough to move throughout my warehouse?

The AutoStore transfer cell is another example of the system’s flexibility. The totes, known as Bins, are made of rigid, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene copolymer (PP-C) that have enough rigidity for long-lasting, versatile applications that can withstand hundreds of thousands of movements over years of service. Bins are so durable, in fact, that the world's first AutoStore warehouse at Elotec in Norway still uses the 5,000+ Bins inserted into their storage cube in 2005.

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What companies use AutoStore transfer cells?  

As of 2024, there are over 1,600+ AutoStore systems operating throughout the world. The number of systems with transfer cells, therefore, is too long to list. However, it can be said confidently that they are used throughout a range of industries. Here are 12 examples:

Fashion retail:

• Fenix Outdoors Logistics uses transfer cells to move Bins from the Grid to an adjacent pouch sorter infeed.
• Fashion retailer distributor Simplicity Networks uses transfer cells for replenishing their AutoStore Grid.
• German sportswear company Jako uses transfer cells connected with a conveyor loop built for picking and bringing the Bins back into the AutoStore. The Grid is on the upper floor and the pick and goods-in Ports are on the floor below connected with Bin Lifts.  
• UK retail powerhouse Frasers Group use only transfer cells to connect their nine Grids to inbound and outbound processes, allowing for consolidation from other automated processes.
• Swedish sporting goods retailer Sportamore uses transfer cells to deliver SKUs to different processes across the warehouse.

Consumer electronics:

• Consumer electronics retailer Alca.cz of the Czech Republic uses transfer cells and conveyor tech to move goods in and out of the Grid on the first-floor mezzanine of its AutoStore.

Grocery:

• Heiderbeck uses two transfer cells to move Bins to a cleaning station and back into the Grid.

Industrial:

• Richter + Frenzel, a specialist wholesaler for sanitary, heating, and air conditioning operates two AutoStore transfer cells to connect their Grid with a picking robot.
• Sonepar, a spare parts seller in Austria, inducts goods into their Grid via a conveyor, transfer cell, and NERAK vertical conveyor.
• German industrial tool distributor Ludwig Meister has two transfer cells for inserting Bins into the Grid after they have been weighed.
• Siemens replenishes its storage Grid using two transfer cells where Robots place Bins directly onto a Dematic conveyor.
• iDM Energiesysteme connects its AutoStore to an upper floor via a transfer cell and conveyor.

What are the benefits of AutoStore transfer cells?

Increased Efficiency: Transfer cells help in reducing the time and effort required to move goods within the warehouse. By automating these processes, warehouses can significantly cut down on manual labor and speed up operations.

Improved Accuracy: Automated transfer cells reduce the risk of human error, ensuring that items are correctly transferred and tracked throughout the warehouse. This leads to more accurate inventory management and order fulfillment.

Enhanced Flexibility: Transfer cells can be adapted to connect with any other equipment (i.e. conveyors, AMRs, or automated guided vehicles (AGVs), making them a versatile solution for warehouses with diverse inventory and operational needs.

Space Optimization: By efficiently managing the movement of goods, transfer cells help in optimizing the use of warehouse space. This can lead to better organization and increased storage capacity.

Easy Consolidation: Most warehouses require some sort of consolidation of processes. Using transfer cells allows you to move goods to different areas of a warehouse quickly and easily, saving on additional manual work.

Are there any limitations with AutoStore transfer cells?

While transfer cells are highly versatile, the rigid Bins serve as a critical structural element of the AutoStore system, stacked on top of each other and on the floor to support the system's overall load. As they are designed to bear substantial weight, their structural integrity might be compromised if handled or transported externally. Hence, keeping the Bins within the controlled environment of the warehouse is essential to preserving their durability and functionality.

Conclusion

In short, AutoStore transfer cells are designed with flexibility in mind, allowing them to easily integrate with other technologies and processes. The design helps streamline goods movement, improve accuracy, and maximize warehouse space, making it essential for modern warehousing where multiple operations take place in parallel.