Beckhoff Automation is taking the steps to upgrade its distribution operations at its Savage, Minnesota headquarters. To do so, Beckhoff is tapping OPEX Corporation's Infinity Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS).
Featuring numerous Beckhoff technologies inside, Infinity is a next-generation Goods-to-Person (G2P) solution that will help Beckhoff streamline operations and supply chain management to improve shipments and deliveries in the U.S.
“Beckhoff continues to grow rapidly across the U.S., particularly in intralogistics and other high-tech industries, so implementing the OPEX Infinity will allow us to scale our operations at an exceptional rate,” said Kevin Barker, President of Beckhoff Automation LLC.
OPEX Corporation, an intralogistics leader, unveiled Infinity at the MODEX 2022 trade show. This G2P system offers top-tier storage density, modularity, and flexibility to help companies meet pressing warehouse automation challenges that are on the rise.
According to OPEX, the system uses iBOT robotic vehicles, triple-deep tote storage, and OPEX’s proprietary Cortex software platform to deliver the right SKU to the right operator or workstation exactly when it's needed—increasing storage capacity by 35% while making bot paths up to 65% more efficient.
“With the Beckhoff-equipped Infinity solution, we will ramp up our own logistics automation and take full advantage of the vertical space in our bustling Minneapolis-area warehouse. This innovative AS/RS will help us not only meet our immediate warehousing needs—in terms of greater fulfillment speed and accuracy—but it will also support further expansions to best serve our customers over the coming years.” — Kevin Barker, President of Beckhoff Automation LLC.
This announcement is the latest development in the long-term collaboration between the two companies, noted Doug Schuchart, Global Intralogistics Industry Manager for Beckhoff.
“We have worked with OPEX for many years on exciting new solutions using Beckhoff technology. Now, we chose OPEX to help modernize our own distribution operations with an AS/RS in large part because of the company’s inventive, skillful use of Beckhoff solutions,” Schuchart said.
OPEX is a longstanding Beckhoff customer, and the Infinity AS/RS relies heavily on the EtherCAT industrial Ethernet system, including numerous I/O terminals, Safety over EtherCAT (FSoE) for integrated functional safety, and the EP7402 EtherCAT Box, a machine mountable controller for motor-driven roller (MDR) conveyors.
“Our U.S. headquarters already has a state-of-the-art automation showroom, but now we will have exciting opportunities to showcase new automation technology from Beckhoff as a real intralogistics application in our day-to-day warehouse operations. Most importantly, Beckhoff is excited to further improve customer experiences through this intralogistics collaboration with OPEX.”