| Chemnitz
From warehouse to smart hub: 2D shuttle systems in modern pallet warehouses
At LogiMAT 2025, Philipp Arnold presented our technical paper "From Warehouse to Smart Hub: 2D Shuttle Systems in Modern Pallet Warehouses", demonstrating how our technology sustainably optimises intralogistics and opens up entirely new possibilities for efficient warehouse processes.
The limitations of traditional channel warehouses
Although traditional satellite warehouses offer high storage density at low storage costs, they reach their limits when high product variety and flexible access times are required. Long access times, inefficient reshuffling and limited scalability make operations complex and cost-intensive. Furthermore, conventional systems require bespoke solutions with complex process control.
2D shuttle systems: Increased efficiency through intelligent automation
2D pallet shuttle systems address precisely these challenges and offer a highly flexible, scalable and autonomous solution. Unlike traditional systems, 2D shuttles move in two dimensions and perform storage and transport tasks independently.
Advantages of 2D shuttle systems:
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FIFO-compatible multi-depth storage: Thanks to an intelligent track system, goods can be stored at one end and retrieved from the other.
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Easy scalability: Additional shuttles can be flexibly integrated to increase capacity as required.
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Parallel processes: Multiple shuttles operate simultaneously, reducing bottlenecks and minimising waiting times.
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Optimised transport routes: Queuing and sequencing techniques enable warehouse processes to be organised more efficiently.
AXIS² - CORE: iFD software in the DAMBACH shuttle system
The impetus for developing a specific software solution for shuttle systems came from a close partnership with DAMBACH Storage Systems. DAMBACH approached us whilst searching for a high-performance control system for a newly developed 2D shuttle system. The aim: an intelligent software solution that seamlessly combines warehouse management and material flow functions with the innovative hardware.
Working closely together, we developed the software component AXIS² - CORE, which, as a central component of DAMBACH’s AXIS² - SYSTEM, handles all control functions at the material flow and warehouse management level.
The AXIS² - SYSTEM consists of three central components: the base system (security, access, maintenance), the AXIS² - BOTS (the freely moving 2D shuttles) and our AXIS² - CORE software. The system supports:
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Speeds of up to 90 m/min
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Payloads of up to 1,500 kg per shuttle
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Integrated charging management thanks to innovative energy storage
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Virtually uninterrupted 24/7 operation – even at temperatures as low as -30 °C
AXIS² - CORE harnesses the full power of our platform, creating a future-proof, fully integrated end-to-end system for next-generation warehouse automation.
Warehouse Pilot X2Store: Our platform for the shuttle market
Based on the technological concepts and functions introduced with AXIS² - CORE, we have developed a vendor-independent variant under the name Warehouse Pilot X2Store. As a flexible, modular framework, Warehouse Pilot X2Store is suitable for use in a wide variety of shuttle systems – regardless of provider or hardware.
The platform offers all relevant functional areas: from machine-level control, through order dispatching and storage location management, to full integration with higher-level systems via REST API.
Warehouse Pilot X2Store is available in three progressive configuration levels:
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WCS – Warehouse Control System: Machine-level transport control with intelligent routing and optimised resource utilisation.
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WES – Warehouse Execution System: Extension to include tactical warehouse processes such as pre-distribution, sequencing or buffer management.
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WMS – Warehouse Management System: Comprehensive warehouse management with inventory control, putaway and retrieval strategies, and integration with ERP and dispatch processes.
