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Day: 22 August 2022

Don’t neglect the essential hand pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Regular hand pallet truck maintenance not only helps to extend the performance and life of your trucks, but also protects the wellbeing of your team and, ultimately, the HSE regulations of your company, says Tony Sharpe, Head of Service Development and Hand Pallet Truck After Sales at Toyota Material Handling.

Designed to make moving palletised loads easier, safer and faster, manual hand pallet trucks – sometimes referred to as HPTs, pump trucks, pallet jacks or pallet lifters – play a key role in countless warehouses, retail outlets and manufacturing sites all over the world.

But it can be all too easy to take these humble, apparently simple pieces of equipment for granted. As a result, some companies do not realise the extent to which their operation relies on their hand pallet truck until they find themselves without it due to a breakdown.

We all know the frustration and stress arising from delays to the production process or hold-ups in the supply chain caused by the failure of materials handling equipment, but when essential tools that are in near-constant use, such as hand pallet trucks, malfunction it is not only a company’s ability to meet deadlines that suffers. A business’s reputation can be negatively impacted too – and that usually leads to reduced profitability.

Toyota has developed a dedicated national team of Hand Pallet Truck Specialists specifically to keep these vital workhorses safe and performing to the highest standards at all times.

Its dedicated team of Hand Pallet Truck Specialists operate nationally to enable preventative maintenance, safety inspections or repairs that are required to be carried out quickly and efficiently.

Whether you use a single hand pallet truck or several across multiple locations or at one site, Toyota says its dedicated team will ensure that your productivity remains high by arranging and undertaking a regular servicing and maintenance plan that fits your precise needs and work patterns.

Hand pallet trucks must be routinely inspected and maintained to comply with health and safety regulations. Specialists ensure that customers are operating in accordance with all the relevant regulations, including Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98)

Regular maintenance is also essential for the safety of your workforce and a robust service programme will identify any potential issues that may compromise the safety of the hand pallet truck and its operators. It will also reassure your team that the equipment they are using is in the best possible condition.

A structured service schedule from Toyota provides cost transparency and, because fees are agreed up-front, budget forecasting becomes far simpler. Toyota says its ‘Pallet Truck Plus’ is a hassle-free hand pallet truck rental option with low monthly costs on a two-year agreement.

While a strict servicing and maintenance regime is the best way of preventing significant downtime – with all the cost and disruption to a business that can mean –  truck build quality is also a major factor in maintaining operational efficiency.

Manufactured at a dedicated production facility in Sweden, the BT Lifter range of hand pallet trucks from Toyota Material Handling comes with a 99-year functional guarantee on the fork frame and a 5-year guarantee on the pump unit.

With their built-in sustainability, models in the BT Lifter range set the highest standards in hand pallet truck durability, strength and performance, says Toyota. Capable of lifting and moving loads weighing up to 2.3 tonnes, in work-cycle tests BT Lifter HPTs have been shown to deliver optimum performance for up to five times as long as other trucks on the market.

But, importantly, Toyota’s HPT Specialists are trained to work on any make of hand pallet truck – not just Toyota models – which is essential for those customers that operate mixed fleets. Furthermore, to keep downtime as well as costs to a minimum Toyota’s Specialists carry out maintenance work at your facility.

Taking truck maintenance seriously means that any potential problems can be identified before they become more serious and, over time, this not only helps to extend the performance and life of your trucks, but also protects the wellbeing of your team.

 

Don’t neglect the essential hand pallet truck

Posted on by David Priestman

Regular hand pallet truck maintenance not only helps to extend the performance and life of your trucks, but also protects the wellbeing of your team and, ultimately, the HSE regulations of your company, says Tony Sharpe, Head of Service Development and Hand Pallet Truck After Sales at Toyota Material Handling.

Designed to make moving palletised loads easier, safer and faster, manual hand pallet trucks – sometimes referred to as HPTs, pump trucks, pallet jacks or pallet lifters – play a key role in countless warehouses, retail outlets and manufacturing sites all over the world.

But it can be all too easy to take these humble, apparently simple pieces of equipment for granted. As a result, some companies do not realise the extent to which their operation relies on their hand pallet truck until they find themselves without it due to a breakdown.

We all know the frustration and stress arising from delays to the production process or hold-ups in the supply chain caused by the failure of materials handling equipment, but when essential tools that are in near-constant use, such as hand pallet trucks, malfunction it is not only a company’s ability to meet deadlines that suffers. A business’s reputation can be negatively impacted too – and that usually leads to reduced profitability.

Toyota has developed a dedicated national team of Hand Pallet Truck Specialists specifically to keep these vital workhorses safe and performing to the highest standards at all times.

Its dedicated team of Hand Pallet Truck Specialists operate nationally to enable preventative maintenance, safety inspections or repairs that are required to be carried out quickly and efficiently.

Whether you use a single hand pallet truck or several across multiple locations or at one site, Toyota says its dedicated team will ensure that your productivity remains high by arranging and undertaking a regular servicing and maintenance plan that fits your precise needs and work patterns.

Hand pallet trucks must be routinely inspected and maintained to comply with health and safety regulations. Specialists ensure that customers are operating in accordance with all the relevant regulations, including Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER 98)

Regular maintenance is also essential for the safety of your workforce and a robust service programme will identify any potential issues that may compromise the safety of the hand pallet truck and its operators. It will also reassure your team that the equipment they are using is in the best possible condition.

A structured service schedule from Toyota provides cost transparency and, because fees are agreed up-front, budget forecasting becomes far simpler. Toyota says its ‘Pallet Truck Plus’ is a hassle-free hand pallet truck rental option with low monthly costs on a two-year agreement.

While a strict servicing and maintenance regime is the best way of preventing significant downtime – with all the cost and disruption to a business that can mean –  truck build quality is also a major factor in maintaining operational efficiency.

Manufactured at a dedicated production facility in Sweden, the BT Lifter range of hand pallet trucks from Toyota Material Handling comes with a 99-year functional guarantee on the fork frame and a 5-year guarantee on the pump unit.

With their built-in sustainability, models in the BT Lifter range set the highest standards in hand pallet truck durability, strength and performance, says Toyota. Capable of lifting and moving loads weighing up to 2.3 tonnes, in work-cycle tests BT Lifter HPTs have been shown to deliver optimum performance for up to five times as long as other trucks on the market.

But, importantly, Toyota’s HPT Specialists are trained to work on any make of hand pallet truck – not just Toyota models – which is essential for those customers that operate mixed fleets. Furthermore, to keep downtime as well as costs to a minimum Toyota’s Specialists carry out maintenance work at your facility.

Taking truck maintenance seriously means that any potential problems can be identified before they become more serious and, over time, this not only helps to extend the performance and life of your trucks, but also protects the wellbeing of your team.

 

Mooneh optimises warehouse management with Infor

Posted on by David Priestman

Infor, the industry cloud company, has announced that Mooneh, a third-party logistics storage and distribution provider operating on behalf of leading international pharmaceutical corporates, has deployed Infor WMS (warehouse management system). In addition to establishing an efficient and effective warehouse operation, the solution is set to deliver full traceability of all inventory. The project was successfully delivered by SNS, a leading provider of supply chain consultancy and software implementation.

With 100,000 sq m of temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure and storage capacity to allocate over 100,000 tonnes of FMCGs a year, including up to 22,000 pallets of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, Mooneh provides fulfilment & logistics solutions.

As part of its objective to optimise warehouse operations, Mooneh’s project goals were two-fold. The first was focused on receiving, storing and shipping efficiently by fully utilising the warehouse space, while the second sought to minimise human intervention and travel time for optimised productivity. Infor WMS now manages Mooneh’s entire warehousing operation from receiving goods to storage and shipping.

“As global supply chains continue to face disruptions and volatility, we needed a warehouse management solution that would enable us to demonstrate best practice and resilience in upholding the high standards our customers have to come to expect of Mooneh,” comments Oday Abu Shehab (pictured), Mooneh’s executive director.

“The in-depth functionality of Infor WMS supports our warehouse operation from goods received to shipment. Further, the system generates insights built on gathering, analysing and synthesising intelligence. thus, enabling us to utilise strategic alignment and response capacity.

“SNS worked closely with our team to deliver the project on time and to budget, as well as providing additional support on areas such the relabelling of warehouse locations, zones, areas and pallets to support enhanced traceability. Through our Venture Investment program, launched to ignite supply chain, fulfilment and logistics innovation in emerging technologies, we shall continue to invest in industry-specific solutions provided by Infor & SNS to evolve our role in the biopharma and global logistics market as a whole, projected to be valued at $12.9bn by 2027.”

“This successful Infor WMS deployment will help Mooneh deliver greater automation in its warehouse, enhanced traceability in its inventory management, and greater resilience within the wider supply chain,” comments Mohammad Obaidah, SNS director of services. “As a leading 3PL for the pharma industry, Mooneh is embracing digital transformation at its helm, and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their ambitions to drive best practice in their warehouse operations.”

 

Mooneh optimises warehouse management with Infor

Posted on by David Priestman

Infor, the industry cloud company, has announced that Mooneh, a third-party logistics storage and distribution provider operating on behalf of leading international pharmaceutical corporates, has deployed Infor WMS (warehouse management system). In addition to establishing an efficient and effective warehouse operation, the solution is set to deliver full traceability of all inventory. The project was successfully delivered by SNS, a leading provider of supply chain consultancy and software implementation.

With 100,000 sq m of temperature-controlled logistics infrastructure and storage capacity to allocate over 100,000 tonnes of FMCGs a year, including up to 22,000 pallets of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, Mooneh provides fulfilment & logistics solutions.

As part of its objective to optimise warehouse operations, Mooneh’s project goals were two-fold. The first was focused on receiving, storing and shipping efficiently by fully utilising the warehouse space, while the second sought to minimise human intervention and travel time for optimised productivity. Infor WMS now manages Mooneh’s entire warehousing operation from receiving goods to storage and shipping.

“As global supply chains continue to face disruptions and volatility, we needed a warehouse management solution that would enable us to demonstrate best practice and resilience in upholding the high standards our customers have to come to expect of Mooneh,” comments Oday Abu Shehab (pictured), Mooneh’s executive director.

“The in-depth functionality of Infor WMS supports our warehouse operation from goods received to shipment. Further, the system generates insights built on gathering, analysing and synthesising intelligence. thus, enabling us to utilise strategic alignment and response capacity.

“SNS worked closely with our team to deliver the project on time and to budget, as well as providing additional support on areas such the relabelling of warehouse locations, zones, areas and pallets to support enhanced traceability. Through our Venture Investment program, launched to ignite supply chain, fulfilment and logistics innovation in emerging technologies, we shall continue to invest in industry-specific solutions provided by Infor & SNS to evolve our role in the biopharma and global logistics market as a whole, projected to be valued at $12.9bn by 2027.”

“This successful Infor WMS deployment will help Mooneh deliver greater automation in its warehouse, enhanced traceability in its inventory management, and greater resilience within the wider supply chain,” comments Mohammad Obaidah, SNS director of services. “As a leading 3PL for the pharma industry, Mooneh is embracing digital transformation at its helm, and we’re delighted to be able to support them in their ambitions to drive best practice in their warehouse operations.”

 

Smart Fashion Picker: Cobot picks items of various sizes

Posted on by David Priestman

As of today, Smart Robotics, a global leader in picking automation as a service for warehouses and logistics processes, is announcing the official launch of their latest cobot – the Smart Fashion Picker. The reliability of the cobot, and its ability to run continuously, ensures quicker return on investment – whilst answering the labour crisis in logistics and bettering the physical and mental health of warehouse employees.

The Smart Fashion Picker addresses the pain point of transformation within warehouse automation. The need arises from the notion that the warehouse sector is quite late to automation, compared to other industries, and is now looking at a rapid transition to modern processes. Transformation is greatly needed since the efficiency of piece picking in warehouses plays a key role in creating a frictionless course of the logistics to follow.

The Smart Fashion Picker’s name is derived from its function – the cobot can pick a large variety of fashion items, which are placed in protective wrapping, straight from a cart or bin. The vision sensors, motion and task planning algorithms help the cobot to calculate what to pick next, as well as how to pick and place the item accurately into the next bin, plus it can easily detect when the bin is empty or filled.

“We’re super excited to introduce this product to the wider market after successful implementation with our initial customers. It has proven to deliver steady, reliable performance with the throughput necessary to be relevant in a warehouse whilst it is able to cope with the often-changing large product ranges that are typical for the industry. This product is an important step in our master plan to reduce repetitive and harmful work in warehouses around the globe.” – Johan Jardenvall, CEO of Smart Robotics.

Picking items in warehouses is a repetitive process that’s hard-wearing on the people who manually pick and place items. Automating thus enables warehouse employees to tend to the robotised systems, rather than wearing themselves out by picking and sorting items.

The cobot is capable of handling items at a pace that matches human pickers, requiring very little oversight. The system ensures reliable and uninterrupted operation and doesn’t require any special training from its operators. Not to mention, it can safely be managed by people of all skill levels.

In addition, the Smart Fashion Picker is smarter in its ability to adapt with changing circumstances around it, such as changes in assortment, how the cobot interacts with people moving around it, etc. As such, the Smart Fashion Picker is capable of working in the real world of warehouses, instead of a predefined, coded, environment.

Smart Robotics has been developing picking applications based on cobots, since 2017, and is confident that the Smart Fashion Picker will help ensure more reliable capacity in highly demanding logistics. This launch is a great achievement in Smart Robotics’ continuity of improving their cobot designs. The Smart Fashion Picker is but one of the many improvements Smart Robotics has in the pipeline to make warehouse automation more versatile and dynamic in a highly performant logistics industry.

Smart Fashion Picker: Cobot picks items of various sizes

Posted on by David Priestman

As of today, Smart Robotics, a global leader in picking automation as a service for warehouses and logistics processes, is announcing the official launch of their latest cobot – the Smart Fashion Picker. The reliability of the cobot, and its ability to run continuously, ensures quicker return on investment – whilst answering the labour crisis in logistics and bettering the physical and mental health of warehouse employees.

The Smart Fashion Picker addresses the pain point of transformation within warehouse automation. The need arises from the notion that the warehouse sector is quite late to automation, compared to other industries, and is now looking at a rapid transition to modern processes. Transformation is greatly needed since the efficiency of piece picking in warehouses plays a key role in creating a frictionless course of the logistics to follow.

The Smart Fashion Picker’s name is derived from its function – the cobot can pick a large variety of fashion items, which are placed in protective wrapping, straight from a cart or bin. The vision sensors, motion and task planning algorithms help the cobot to calculate what to pick next, as well as how to pick and place the item accurately into the next bin, plus it can easily detect when the bin is empty or filled.

“We’re super excited to introduce this product to the wider market after successful implementation with our initial customers. It has proven to deliver steady, reliable performance with the throughput necessary to be relevant in a warehouse whilst it is able to cope with the often-changing large product ranges that are typical for the industry. This product is an important step in our master plan to reduce repetitive and harmful work in warehouses around the globe.” – Johan Jardenvall, CEO of Smart Robotics.

Picking items in warehouses is a repetitive process that’s hard-wearing on the people who manually pick and place items. Automating thus enables warehouse employees to tend to the robotised systems, rather than wearing themselves out by picking and sorting items.

The cobot is capable of handling items at a pace that matches human pickers, requiring very little oversight. The system ensures reliable and uninterrupted operation and doesn’t require any special training from its operators. Not to mention, it can safely be managed by people of all skill levels.

In addition, the Smart Fashion Picker is smarter in its ability to adapt with changing circumstances around it, such as changes in assortment, how the cobot interacts with people moving around it, etc. As such, the Smart Fashion Picker is capable of working in the real world of warehouses, instead of a predefined, coded, environment.

Smart Robotics has been developing picking applications based on cobots, since 2017, and is confident that the Smart Fashion Picker will help ensure more reliable capacity in highly demanding logistics. This launch is a great achievement in Smart Robotics’ continuity of improving their cobot designs. The Smart Fashion Picker is but one of the many improvements Smart Robotics has in the pipeline to make warehouse automation more versatile and dynamic in a highly performant logistics industry.

Free car parking at IMHX 2022

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Visitors to the fast-approaching International Materials Handling Exhibition (IMHX 2022) who travel to the show by car will enjoy free parking at the NEC, Birmingham, throughout the three-day-event thanks to the generosity of the UK Material Handling Association (UKMHA) which has agreed to sponsor parking charges at the exhibition venue.

Rob Fisher, IMHX 2022 Event Director, said: “We are delighted that the UKMHA is sponsoring the cost of parking at the NEC. From previous visitor feedback we know that free parking will prove extremely popular with those who choose to drive to the event.”

Tim Waples, Chief Executive, UKMHA, said: “The UKMHA recognises that in the current climate when everyone is focused on keeping expenditure down, travel costs for attending exhibitions can be a significant outlay.

“IMHX plays a critical role in boosting the UK material handling sector with business worth millions of pounds regularly transacted at the show. Given this, it is vital that every effort is made to maximise attendance at the event. This is why UKMHA has agreed to sponsor parking charges for the duration of the show.”

Visitors can claim their free parking pass at https://www.imhx.net/en/travel/visitor-parking.html

The UKMHA was established following the merger of respected trade associations BITA and the FLTA and is co-owner of the IMHX exhibition alongside publishing group, Informa.

As the UK’s premier supply chain and intralogistics technology event, IMHX showcases the latest storage and materials handling solutions from some of the world’s most innovative and influential manufacturers and suppliers. IMHX 2022 takes place at the NEC, Birmingham on the 6th, 7th and 8th of September. Register now for your free pass at www.imhx.net.

The big five AMR questions

Posted on by David Priestman

Frazer Watson, VP-Sales UK/Ireland at AMR designer and manufacturer iFollow, runs through the key questions customers need to ask when considering an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solution.

Interest in Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) is escalating at a rapid pace. The classic combination of camera and QR-code navigation robots is proliferating in logistics environments across the UK for applications in goods receiving, despatch and order picking. This is down to falling costs for the technology allied to a growing list of good reasons to make that investment – reasons such as: changing workforce demographics, constraints on supply and movement of goods, supply chain disruption, a Covid-generated upswing in online retail, increasing interest in industry 4.0 technologies and the ever continuing drive to improve productivity.

In a world where uncertainty is becoming the everyday experience, companies in all sectors must strive for improved accuracy, efficiency, productivity and sustainability. The key consideration must be gaining competitive advantage because those that do not or leave it too late will fall behind.

Many logistics operations are reconfiguring their warehouse networks around flexible, scaleable solutions to provide fast and reliable fulfilment closer to the growing number of customers in urban centres. Scarcity of available property and restrictions for transport in these areas often results in the need to rethink warehousing estate and the internal fit out. They are looking at fresh thinking on how these facilities are best served by materials handling equipment. Automated materials handling solutions without the need for dedicated infrastructure, such as AMRs, are in prime position on the flexibility spectrum. This means they can contribute to future-proofing warehouse operations, while improving operations.

Many will still perceive mobile robots as leading edge technology and are only now considering an AMR solution for the first time. In so doing there are five key questions they should be asking:

1. What can the AMR carry?

This consideration comes in two parts, with load capacity generally being the initial one. For many AMRs, this can be a constraint but those able to carry loads up to 1.5 tonnes will be suited to a broad range of applications in warehouses and fulfilment centres. The other half of the load-carrying question is what type of load-carrying unit can the AMR handle? Most warehouses see a wide range of load-carrying units going through their doors, particularly as the numbers of suppliers swells and their locations diversify. This can result in dealing with a mix of traditional pallets, Euro pallets, roll cages, plastic containers, etc. An AMR that can handle all of these will be an incredible asset for warehouse versatility.

Some systems will be required to perform a specific task, focused on a single load carrying unit. For example, handling roll cages is a fundamental part of the grocery retail intralogistics operation. The ability for a mobile robot to transport roll cages safely and securely ticks this sector’s box; furthermore, a single AMR that can handle two roll cages at once to a total load of 1,300 kg will be even more appealing. Given the height of roll cages, a low height profile, such as the 17cm height of iFollow’s AMRs, will assist in smooth travel through entrances. A low height also allows a device to fit under any surface or load carrying unit.

2. In what circumstances will the AMRs operate?

Warehouses might seem fairly similar but an AMR navigating its way round the building will have a different perspective. For a start, will it be too cold for the mobile robot to operate – or even, in rare circumstances, too warm? If so, an AMR able to comfortably perform in temperatures from -25° C to +40°C without degradation of battery life will be required. Coldstores seeking ways to minimise their normally demanding energy use will particularly appreciate a mobile robot that can carry two roll cages at once to move more product quickly in a cold area, while also ensuring that coldstore doors remain closed for a greater proportion of a day.

Speaking of batteries, such operations will be seeking a battery life of 16 hours with opportune charging to maximise uptime. A full charge from 10% to 100% in 1.5 hours would be handy. Given the relative roughness of many warehouse floors, a robust AMR, built to withstand the rigours of constant traveling over the long-term will be a big benefit.

3. Will AMRs be safe in the warehouse?

AMR technology achieves a productivity advantage without compromising operator health and safety. The route planning software prevents robots from heading towards fixed obstacles, such as walls or racking, as well as moveable objects such as workers, which are detected by the machine’s sensors. AMRs with LIDAR arrays navigate ‘safe areas’ for forward or reverse motion – if anything should be detected within these areas, the AMR’s motor will stop and the brakes are applied.

Using AMRs to automate the transportation of goods, roll cages, pallets and other storage units between these areas in a warehouse is a highly effective method for separating people from vehicle traffic to avoid the risk of collisions.

4. Will I be able to rely on mobile robots?

Warehouse operations are generally rigorous with repetitive transportation of heavy loads across rough floors, over long shifts. Clearly this suggests paying careful consideration to the quality of the robot itself. What is it made from? How well is it made? The broad range of AMR suppliers promoting mobile robots for warehouse applications will be offering systems with varying degrees of build quality. Some are built to ensure low costs, while others are designed to provide better lifecycle cost benefits, and will have undergone a thorough quality process.

Compliance with local standards is fundamental: buying a fleet of mobile robots, for example, without certification would be a huge risk. The ability to provide local support and parts for quick response will be important.

5. Will I gain a solution rather than a product?

Every business is different. A supplier that designs and manufactures its own robots and uses its own software will be able to tailor solutions to meet the specific needs of individual applications. A properly conceived and designed AMR solution will always retain flexibility when it comes to internal transportation because, unlike AGVs or conveyors, they do not require fixed infrastructure. Distribution centres often work with a combination of pallets and roll cages, the ratios of which may change over time. An AMR that allows for a swift and simple swap of carrier frames will readily convert from cage transporter to pallet or trolley use, and vice versa.

Intelligent mobile robots offer a flexible solution that can be easily adapted to changing needs, which makes the technology ideal for supporting warehouse operations facing demands for ever-shorter delivery times from growing e-commerce channels as well as store orders.

Find out more about AMRs from the iFollow team at IMHX 2022 on Stow’s stands: 5B105 and 5B110.

 

The big five AMR questions

Posted on by David Priestman

Frazer Watson, VP-Sales UK/Ireland at AMR designer and manufacturer iFollow, runs through the key questions customers need to ask when considering an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) solution.

Interest in Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) is escalating at a rapid pace. The classic combination of camera and QR-code navigation robots is proliferating in logistics environments across the UK for applications in goods receiving, despatch and order picking. This is down to falling costs for the technology allied to a growing list of good reasons to make that investment – reasons such as: changing workforce demographics, constraints on supply and movement of goods, supply chain disruption, a Covid-generated upswing in online retail, increasing interest in industry 4.0 technologies and the ever continuing drive to improve productivity.

In a world where uncertainty is becoming the everyday experience, companies in all sectors must strive for improved accuracy, efficiency, productivity and sustainability. The key consideration must be gaining competitive advantage because those that do not or leave it too late will fall behind.

Many logistics operations are reconfiguring their warehouse networks around flexible, scaleable solutions to provide fast and reliable fulfilment closer to the growing number of customers in urban centres. Scarcity of available property and restrictions for transport in these areas often results in the need to rethink warehousing estate and the internal fit out. They are looking at fresh thinking on how these facilities are best served by materials handling equipment. Automated materials handling solutions without the need for dedicated infrastructure, such as AMRs, are in prime position on the flexibility spectrum. This means they can contribute to future-proofing warehouse operations, while improving operations.

Many will still perceive mobile robots as leading edge technology and are only now considering an AMR solution for the first time. In so doing there are five key questions they should be asking:

1. What can the AMR carry?

This consideration comes in two parts, with load capacity generally being the initial one. For many AMRs, this can be a constraint but those able to carry loads up to 1.5 tonnes will be suited to a broad range of applications in warehouses and fulfilment centres. The other half of the load-carrying question is what type of load-carrying unit can the AMR handle? Most warehouses see a wide range of load-carrying units going through their doors, particularly as the numbers of suppliers swells and their locations diversify. This can result in dealing with a mix of traditional pallets, Euro pallets, roll cages, plastic containers, etc. An AMR that can handle all of these will be an incredible asset for warehouse versatility.

Some systems will be required to perform a specific task, focused on a single load carrying unit. For example, handling roll cages is a fundamental part of the grocery retail intralogistics operation. The ability for a mobile robot to transport roll cages safely and securely ticks this sector’s box; furthermore, a single AMR that can handle two roll cages at once to a total load of 1,300 kg will be even more appealing. Given the height of roll cages, a low height profile, such as the 17cm height of iFollow’s AMRs, will assist in smooth travel through entrances. A low height also allows a device to fit under any surface or load carrying unit.

2. In what circumstances will the AMRs operate?

Warehouses might seem fairly similar but an AMR navigating its way round the building will have a different perspective. For a start, will it be too cold for the mobile robot to operate – or even, in rare circumstances, too warm? If so, an AMR able to comfortably perform in temperatures from -25° C to +40°C without degradation of battery life will be required. Coldstores seeking ways to minimise their normally demanding energy use will particularly appreciate a mobile robot that can carry two roll cages at once to move more product quickly in a cold area, while also ensuring that coldstore doors remain closed for a greater proportion of a day.

Speaking of batteries, such operations will be seeking a battery life of 16 hours with opportune charging to maximise uptime. A full charge from 10% to 100% in 1.5 hours would be handy. Given the relative roughness of many warehouse floors, a robust AMR, built to withstand the rigours of constant traveling over the long-term will be a big benefit.

3. Will AMRs be safe in the warehouse?

AMR technology achieves a productivity advantage without compromising operator health and safety. The route planning software prevents robots from heading towards fixed obstacles, such as walls or racking, as well as moveable objects such as workers, which are detected by the machine’s sensors. AMRs with LIDAR arrays navigate ‘safe areas’ for forward or reverse motion – if anything should be detected within these areas, the AMR’s motor will stop and the brakes are applied.

Using AMRs to automate the transportation of goods, roll cages, pallets and other storage units between these areas in a warehouse is a highly effective method for separating people from vehicle traffic to avoid the risk of collisions.

4. Will I be able to rely on mobile robots?

Warehouse operations are generally rigorous with repetitive transportation of heavy loads across rough floors, over long shifts. Clearly this suggests paying careful consideration to the quality of the robot itself. What is it made from? How well is it made? The broad range of AMR suppliers promoting mobile robots for warehouse applications will be offering systems with varying degrees of build quality. Some are built to ensure low costs, while others are designed to provide better lifecycle cost benefits, and will have undergone a thorough quality process.

Compliance with local standards is fundamental: buying a fleet of mobile robots, for example, without certification would be a huge risk. The ability to provide local support and parts for quick response will be important.

5. Will I gain a solution rather than a product?

Every business is different. A supplier that designs and manufactures its own robots and uses its own software will be able to tailor solutions to meet the specific needs of individual applications. A properly conceived and designed AMR solution will always retain flexibility when it comes to internal transportation because, unlike AGVs or conveyors, they do not require fixed infrastructure. Distribution centres often work with a combination of pallets and roll cages, the ratios of which may change over time. An AMR that allows for a swift and simple swap of carrier frames will readily convert from cage transporter to pallet or trolley use, and vice versa.

Intelligent mobile robots offer a flexible solution that can be easily adapted to changing needs, which makes the technology ideal for supporting warehouse operations facing demands for ever-shorter delivery times from growing e-commerce channels as well as store orders.

Find out more about AMRs from the iFollow team at IMHX 2022 on Stow’s stands: 5B105 and 5B110.

 

Robotics innovator Exotec at IMHX

Posted on by David Priestman

Exotec, a provider of warehouse robotics and French technology unicorn, is set to attend IMHX 2022 in Birmingham on 6-8 September (Stand 5F100), to demonstrate its pioneering Skypod and Skypicker products.

Exotec’s flagship product, Skypod, is an order-picking automation system which combines innovative software with robotics technology which can climb racks up to 12m in height and retrieve products autonomously, before delivering totes to human-staffed or automatic picking stations. Racks are fully scalable, therefore enabling increased storage capacity and flexibility to adapt to the architecture of a warehouse.

Skypod maximises the storage density per square metre of floor space, without compromising speed of retrieval or flexibility, making it indispensable for organisations who want to maximise warehousing space. The system can continually operate without impacting performance, and robots can also be added at any point to increase capacity during peak periods and during operational scaling. All of this is controlled by Exotec’s proprietary Astar software that manages the task planning, tracking, and recording of bin positions and Skypod robots in real time.

Skypicker is an articulated arm that works in tandem with Skypod. It can move solid objects weighing up to 2kg and each station can pick up to 600 items per hour. It allows for the simultaneous preparation of four orders and the transfer of these items to the next station for order completion by human staff. Skypicker is controlled by Exotec’s proprietary Astar software, which synchronises the arm with other robots in the warehouse.

There will be a live demonstration of the Skypod system and a video demonstration of both the Skypod and Skypicker products at IMHX.

Romain Moulin, co-founder at Exotec, said: “Attending IMHX will be an excellent opportunity for people to see our systems up close, and learn more about our ambitious plans for the UK and beyond.

“The last few years have been a tremendous success for Exotec which has seen us expand beyond the French market and significantly build our international presence. Our ground-breaking Skypod and Skypicker products allow organisations to support staff members working in their warehouse while sustaining activity growth, focusing on innovation, increasing productivity and reducing workplace strains.”

Moulin concluded: “We see enormous potential for robotics to transform warehouse order picking processes by increasing efficiency and making life easier for human staff. We believe we have a suite of products that sets us apart from other providers in the industry. We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to our stand in Birmingham in September.”

CLICK HERE to watch a video of Skypod and Skypicker in action.

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