I: Project Background Overview

A Zhejiang-based industrial automation group has long been committed to meeting the digital transformation needs of process industries. Based on its automation control systems, it focuses on developing industrial software technologies and products related to digitization, forming smart manufacturing solutions with multi-industry characteristics to achieve efficient automated production and intelligent management for industrial enterprises. In its newly built modern factory workshops, the group is also dedicated to creating customized smart factory complexes, striving to build a domestically leading smart factory cluster industrial park.

Within the group's finished product warehouse and FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) area, there are currently 1,753 storage locations, each measuring 0.9*0.9 meters. These numerous locations are used for the storage and circulation of cabinets. Due to the similarity and large quantity of the cabinets, the group has faced significant challenges in inventory and warehouse area management. Therefore, to achieve flexible management and guided by the principles of "increasing efficiency, reducing costs, enhancing usability, and pursuing lean operations," the group adopted location digitization technology as an entry point to realize an automated transformation in inventory and warehouse area management.

II: Current Management Pain Points

Large quantity of similar cabinets makes them difficult to locate;
Paper-based location codes are prone to damage;
Difficulty in enforcing scanning requirements for transport workers during outbound processes;
Challenges in maintaining and tracking information related to cabinet transfers, relocation between areas, etc.;

III: UWB-Based Solution

To address the aforementioned critical issues and ensure real-time and accurate cabinet positioning, the group deployed Hainan Shidian UWB positioning base stations in its finished product warehouse and FAT area. Simultaneously, a positioning tag was attached to each cabinet in storage. When a cabinet is placed in a designated location, the positioning base stations collect data from the tags and transmit it via wired Ethernet to the LS1000 positioning engine for data analysis and processing, thereby continuously obtaining the cabinet's location information. This data is then transmitted to the upper-level WMS (Warehouse Management System) via open API interfaces. At the WMS application layer, the group developed several application sub-modules, including a 3D visualization management interface, cabinet location and information query, inventory viewing and dynamic updates, and multi-dimensional warning and control.

1: 3D Visualization Management Application Module

Utilizing Web3D technology, a digital model of the warehouse was created to intuitively display location information within the finished product warehouse and FAT area, as well as the precise position, basic information, and status of each cabinet.

2: Cabinet Location and Information Query

By integrating the UWB positioning system with PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), the WMS system receives real-time task orders, batch numbers, and cabinet information via interfaces, thereby reducing information loss caused by damaged paper location codes.

Management personnel can also quickly locate the storage position of a cabinet based on its code, name, or other information, saving manual search time.

3: Inventory Viewing and Dynamic Updates

On the WMS system, the quantity and status of cabinets stored in the finished product warehouse and FAT area can be viewed in real-time. This information is dynamically updated based on cabinet inbound and outbound movements.

4: Multi-Dimensional Warning and Control

By setting various warnings such as upper/lower limits for cabinet storage and cabinet location calibration, differentiated by colors, the system reduces misplacement of cabinets and enables First-In-First-Out (FIFO) management.

IV: Project Application Summary

In the era of industrial digitization, healthy digital transformation is value-driven. For this Zhejiang automation group, establishing a 3D visual positioning system based on UWB technology, integrated with the WMS system, has transformed the traditional manual cabinet management model. It enables rapid cabinet location calibration and misplacement warnings, unlocks the true value behind the data, improves warehouse management operational efficiency, and genuinely achieves cost reduction and efficiency enhancement for enterprise operations management.