Optimise your material flow processes with BITO products
The BITO range includes many solutions for optimising your internal material flow processes.
Bins and containers that improve the internal flow of materials
Totes play an important role in storage, transport and information transfer. However, automating material flows is only possible by standardising load carriers. The dimensions of pallets, boxes, containers, etc. must be clearly defined and standardised in order to unleash the full potential of storage and retrieval machines, shuttle vehicles, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), industrial trucks and conveyor technology. Examples of standard size load carriers are BITO KLT small parts containers and XL Euro stacking containers. These products were originally developed to optimise the logistic chain in the automotive industry and their suppliers. They come in modular sizes and are adapted to the 1200 × 800 mm (Euro pallet) and 1200 × 1000 mm (ISO pallet) footprints. European size containers are now also used in other industries. A unique identification number (on barcodes, RFID tags) turns containers into an information carrier for warehouse management systems (WMS) or for material flow computers, enabling automated product identification and monitoring in the warehouse.
Another ideal container for in-house material flow is the BITO XLmotion container, which was specifically developed for conveyor lines and AS/RS systems. XLmotion containers have a flat-surfaced double base with a non-textured outer tread. This special design enables the extremely quiet operation on conveyor lines and in automated warehouses.
Taking control of noise at work considerably improves workplace ergonomics. Kanban bins and racks ensure continuous replenishment with materials and parts and automated reordering. An undisrupted flow of materials is essential for production and order picking processes.
BITO Shelving and racking solutions help to improve your flow of materials
Shelving and racking generally are either at the start or the end of the flow of materials within a company. Materials arriving at the goods-in department and (semi-)finished products from production are loaded into shelving and racking, and retrieved at a later time for order collation. In some cases, material flow also exists within a rack, as is the case with carton and pallet live storage. In-rack material flow can be part of a replenishment procedure in a Kanban system or replenishment in the context of order picking. In a live storage system, materials and products move from the loading side to the retrieval side of a racking block in FIFO (First In - First Out) order. Some material flow processes need a buffer storage area. In multi-level picking processes, for example, order-related containers often have to wait in a buffer rack to be filled with other items. Carton live storage racking for unit loads are also suitable for this purpose.
Roller conveyors and scissor conveyors
Roller conveyors and scissor conveyors with or without auxiliary motor are used to create extremely versatile conveyor systems for transporting goods in containers, cartons and on trays. The areas of application for roller conveyors cover various stages within a production process, from sorting, distribution and storage of raw materials to order picking at packing stations. They optimise the flow of goods in order picking and production, in particular by increasing speed. The modularity of the systems allows to build extremely versatile conveyor lines that can be flexibly adapted to the available space. Various roller conveyor segments, curved sections and throughways are available, either equipped with plastic or with steel rollers.
LEO AGV transporters
The autonomous LEO locative transporter from BITO has been specifically designed for the automated transport of bins, totes, trays, containers and cardboard boxes. It provides an optimum solution for automating your material flows and it is extremely user-friendly. LEO requires neither a host computer nor a WLAN connection. The battery-operated LEO AGV is plug & play-capable and follows a colour-coded adhesive tape track on the hall floor. The control commands for the BITO AGV are transmitted via markers (QR codes) on the hall floor, enabling precise and efficient control. LEO links assembly stations and picking stations in intralogistics and production areas of your company. The system consists of one or more LEO AGVs and can be extended with any number of transfer stations to ensure the seamless integration into your operational processes. The BITO LEO AGV is available at a very affordable price.
Carts and trolleys – a simple solution for in-house transport
BITO provides a variety of platform trucks, order picking trolleys and container dollies to support the material flow in your warehouse or distribution centre. Transporting materials and goods is a routine task in storage and operating environments. Heavy components, palletised loads or pallet boxes often have to be lifted using hand pallet trucks or forklift trucks before they can be moved. There is no clear distinction between different trolley types. For example, mobile bin racks can also be used as order picking trolleys and for providing supplies in production and assembly processes.
Material flow solutions help you to stay competitive
BITO supplies products to optimise material flows, helping you to remain competitive and minimise your costs.
What exactly is material flow in logistics?
Material flow in logistics refers to the physical movement of goods and materials through the entire supply chain process, from purchasing raw materials to delivering the end product to the customer. It includes transport, storage, handling and all associated activities. Optimal material flows provide materials in the right quantity, in the right place and at the right time. Efficient material flow processes are crucial for optimising logistics and production processes in order to minimise costs and improve supply chain performance. Material flow management involves controlling technical, economic and organisational aspects of transporting goods. The key components include process control technology, data transfer devices and the range of conveyor technology components.
Intralogistics, on the other hand, also includes aspects such as warehousing, order picking, packaging, internal transport within a plant and the organisation of materials and products within a company.
Bins and containers play a key role in managing the flow of materials
In the era of Industry 4.0, companies also need to optimise their processes as best they can. The focus in this field is on in-house transport and material flow. In particular, throughput times should be critically reviewed in order to eliminate unnecessary stops and shorten processing times. Selecting the optimum means of transport and choosing the right transport containers helps to streamline warehousing and intralogistics processes, which in turn reduces costs.
What are the benefits of a material flow solution from BITO?
BITO is your partner when it comes to optimising your material flow processes
BITO offers a wide range of material flow solutions to optimise processes. Among other solutions, we offer bins and containers as well as shelving and racking, roller conveyors, transport and order picking trolleys and our LEO AGV. BITO provides everything from a single source. We not only manufacture our own products, but also offer a concept-to-completion service for implementing the ideal solution for your material flow requirements.
Bins and containers tailored to your application help you save money
BITO offers plastic containers for powered conveyor lines and automated warehouses. Thanks to their specific design, our containers stand out for their ergonomics and low-noise handling on conveyors. One example is our XLmotion container which has been developed for automated storage. It features a flat-surfaced double base with a non-textured outer tread which makes handling in automated environments particularly quiet. Standard size containers such as BITO KLT small load carriers and Euro-sized boxes are the key to ensuring that storage technology can achieve its full potential. Kanban bins and racks make sure that there is always sufficient replenishment and that reorders are placed automatically, thereby guaranteeing a continuous flow of materials.
Our products are manufactured in our own plants
At BITO, we manufacture premium shelving and racking systems as well as plastic bins, trays and containers in our own state-of-the-art production facilities. Our steel products are manufactured at our company headquarters in Meisenheim, BITO bins and containers are produced in Lauterecken. Both production sites work in compliance with the latest technological standards and use modern, energy-efficient machines. This not only guarantees the outstanding quality of our products, but also ensures that production is resource-efficient and meets the most demanding standards of technology and environmental compatibility.
BITO services also include project planning and material flow optimisation in large-scale projects
We optimise material flow systems in projects of any size. Together with you, we will work out the optimum solution for your needs. As a manufacturer of premium products and as a general contractor, we evaluate and optimise existing material flow systems. We plan and implement end-to-end processes for major projects.
Reliable internal transport with BITO LEO AGVs
The LEO automated guided vehicle system from BITO enables the automated and flexible distribution of parts and semi-finished products to workstations, pick places or assembly stations. The LEO AGV safely transports totes, containers, trays or cartons and also automatically returns empty load carriers to their point of origin. LEO is an optically controlled transport system that requires neither a master computer nor a WLAN connection. LEO navigates by means of colour-coded track tapes and receives precise driving commands through optical markers (QR codes) on the floor. With our adaptable AGV solution, product transport between work areas can be customised. LEO AGVs are a simple and cost-effective way to enter the world of automation.
BITO is a specialist with long-standing experience in the field of material flow planning and implementation
Thanks to decades of experience in the development and implementation of solutions for almost any industry, BITO can draw on a wealth of knowledge. As a specialist in warehousing logistics, storage and handling equipment and inventory management, our activities go beyond manufacturing all products in our own plants and operating an e-commerce platform. Our expertise also extends to designing and realising large warehouse projects and supplying the entire range of necessary equipment.
Comprehensive advice and close cooperation
Together with you, we will work out the optimum solution for your material flow needs. At BITO, we value honest and transparent communication. We are on hand to advise you right from the start and work closely with you to find the optimum solution. We are thoroughly convinced that outstanding solutions are created through intensive dialogue with our customers.
BITO Warranty
We provide a comprehensive BITO warranty for all products and services. As a renowned manufacturer of material handling and storage equipment, we are fully committed to delivering premium products and services.