The Dallas Morning News, one of the country’s largest daily newspapers, is installing a new Automated Storage & Retrieval System (AS/RS) from Westfalia Technologies in its new South Dallas post-press and distribution facility. The system will provide efficient conveying and storage for free standing inserts FSIs), with completion set for April 2007.

The high density AS/RS incorporates two storage retrieval machines and 400 linear feet of conveyors, and measures 243 ft. (l) x 58 ft. (w) x 67 ft. (h). Free standing inserts are advertising supplements, often in full color, which typically are printed outside of the printing facility and inserted into the newspaper before delivery.

Pallets of FSIs are received into the facility and transferred into the AS/RS by the Westfalia conveying system. The storage system incorporates automatic slave pallet dispensing and stacking, stretch-wrapping, weighing and profile checking, and interfaces with Burt Planning Software. The pallets are then conveyed to a 10-level rack system with 4,500 pallet positions where they are buffered and later sequenced to several collators.

Westfalia’s modular Warehouse Management System (WMS) Savanna.NET controls the movement and storage of all pallets within the facility. When signaled, Savanna.NET directs the Storage/Retrieval Machines to retrieve the pallets from storage and place them on the out-feed conveyor. The system then directs fork truck operators to pick up the pallets and deliver them to the proper collator via fork truck-mounted computers. All FSI pallets remain in full control of Savanna.NET from storage to collator consumption.

According to Al Kafka, Newspaper Sales Specialist for Westfalia Technologies, more newspapers and printers are selecting Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems to handle the time- and labor-intensive task of storing and conveying newspapers, inserts and paper rolls throughout their warehouses and plants. “Like most businesses, newspaper and printing companies are looking for increased efficiencies in their operations,” says Kafka. “Our AS/RS equipment and WMS reduce warehouse space requirements, increase efficiency and accuracy, and ultimately, save money.”

Westfalia’s other recent pressroom/print projects include an automated pallet handling system for The Boston Globe and a High Density Sequencing System (HDSS) for QUAD Graphics of Sussex, Wisconsin.

For more information, visit Westfalia Technologies at NEXPO 2007, April 21-24, Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, FL, Booth 1165.

About Westfalia Technologies
Westfalia Technologies is a leader in providing material handling systems to support customer distribution and storage needs with over 35 years experience. Westfalia’s industry leading logistics solutions include: Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), Savanna.NET® Warehouse Management Systems, Conveyor Systems, Order Pick Systems (SmartPick® Pick-to-light, RF, Pick-to-Voice, etc.), conventional and DeepLane™ Pallet Flow Systems, Layer Forming and Robotic Palletizers, Automated Parking Systems and DEAM case packaging systems with associated conveying, stacking and handling equipment. Our in-house design and manufacturing capabilities provide the service and flexibility to customize our products to your exact needs.