Tag: materials handling|robotics|warehouse automation

iFollow has expanded its iLogistics Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) range to include a unit with a 1,500kg capacity. Made at iFollow’s state-of-the-art facilities outside Paris in France, the iL – 1500 tops the range that includes units with capacities of 300kg, 600kg and 1,000kg. And with a unit height of just 17cm, it is the thinnest mobile robot in the world that can carry 1.5t. This gives the new unit the ability to handle a broader range of duties. The unit, which weighs 230kg and has dimensions of 1340 x 760 x 171 (mm), can attain a speed of 1.7m/s. Its 54.6V battery gives 10 hours operation between charges.

Constructed to be sturdy and reliable, iFollow’s iLogistics robotic solution offers many other benefits including the ability to be deployed in cold rooms with temperatures down to -25°C. The temperatures of the key electronic components are regulated by a servo system completely developed by iFollow. This ensures the absence of condensation, even when moving from a very cold environment to a temperate space.

The iL – 1500 navigates without any infrastructure while accustoming to its environment. Because the AMRs adapt to the constraints of existing facilities, there is no need to modify premises.

The lifting platform for the iL – 1500 can be changed, allowing a single unit to fulfil a variety of requirements. Platforms available include a slat conveyor, roller conveyor, chain conveyor, tray roller conveyor, tank support and an on-demand platform. The AMR has the flexibility to transport different storage units such as pallets, trolleys and roll cages – it can carry two roll cages simultaneously – and a robust build means it will happily withstand travel on rough floors.

Working collaboratively with warehouse staff including order pickers, the iL – 1500 provides a productive solution in many sectors and, as a manufacturer and producer of software, iFollow can customise the units to meet the particular needs of the application.

 

The international technology group Körber is entering into a strategic partnership with the Canadian robotics company Attabotics. In the future, Körber is to equip European companies with Attabotics’ 3D automated storage and retrieval technology that offers efficient order picking, including sequencing and buffering, all within the footprint of the ultra-high density storage structure. In the US and Canada, the technology has already been successfully implemented at numerous companies in the e-commerce industry.

The Körber Business Area Supply Chain Automation is not only a technological pioneer itself but is also always on the lookout for innovative partners. An innovative partner has been found with Attabotics, which was founded in 2016. Moving forward, both parties want to jointly support European e-commerce companies to overcome the challenges of order fulfilment. Körber will be a reseller, integrator, and implementation partner for the Attabotics solution in most of Europe.

The Attabotics solution is based on a vertical, very space-saving grid structure. Products are stored in square bins (571 x 571 mm inside). Robots can travel on top of the grid, underneath the grid and vertically through the down shafts to store or retrieve totes and transport them to the integrated workstations. This unique architecture increases flexibility and speed of the processes in warehouses immensely.

Customers with fulfilment operations face more and more challenges. Their business is growing rapidly, end-customer requirements are getting more and more complicated, and there is a significant shortage of labour in the market.

The Attabotics solution addresses these challenges. It offers class leading storage density, whilst still offering direct access to every product. It enables high picking speeds, has built-in sequencing and can handle short response times.

“I had this crazy idea of reconfiguring warehouse space after watching a documentary about how leaf cutter ants access their colonies vertically. A 3D system just makes sense,” says Scott Gravelle, CEO and founder of Attabotics. “We are very pleased with this partnership. Koerber’s strong expertise and presence in Europe is very complimentary to Attabotics and will offer customers a trusted partner for their operations.”

Michiel Veenman, Vice President Körber Fulfillment Solutions at the Körber Business Area Supply Chain Automation, adds: “Flexibility, responsiveness and performance are essential for today’s fulfilment operations. We believe that the Attabotics solution offers an especially strong combination of characteristics that was not yet available on the European market. With Attabotics technology, Körber can now offer our customers the next step in automation.”

 

 

 

EFFIMAT is bringing its SINA automated solution to life once again together with its German partner Ecosphere Intralogistics at LogiMAT 2022 in Stuttgart.

SINA – Smart kitting solution for Intralogstics Automation – a solution that automates the intralogistics and material handling processes, in for example production, from inbound to delivered kitted items directly at the production line.

The solution can also be applied to 3PL and e-commerce businesses by automating the order handling process. This makes companies able to operate flexibly 24/7 at a low picking cost.

SINA has its origin in EFFIMAT Automated which work with the thought of connecting various robotics solution, matching the customer’s needs. SINA became the result of eight partners coming together with some of the absolute best solutions within each of their product range and of course the knowledge of integration.

SINA is built around the EffiMat, which is a tote-based solution for storage and handling of items. The patented technology within the EffiMat ensures fast picking and the design allows picking processes to be more dynamic and efficient as five totes are presented in every picking cycle. This technology and design make EffiMat the optimal goods-to-robot solution.

Optimal components

To automate the picking and kitting process the most essential components was added. In the front the UR10e collaborative robot is placed to secure efficient picking. With its payload of 12.5kg and large reach of up to 1,300mm and high level of flexibility the UR10e is perfect for the SINA setup.

Attached to UR10e is the Piab MX suction cup. This suction cup is a real all-rounder and is ideal for holding all products, regardless of what material the product is made of or what surface and finish is has. To ensure picking accuracy the AI-based robobrain.vision from robominds has been added.

For safe transport of the kitted items to production line, the AMR MiR250 is used together with the TR125 top module from ROEQ. The top module can recognize and precisely control the loading station via its WLAN-independent optical measuring system.

To make the SINA solution safe, the sBOT nanoScan3 from SICK is mounted on the solution to ensure that the speed of the solution reduces the closer an employee comes to the solution and stops entirely if the employee comes too close.

The intelligence behind SINA

Every solution like this needs a software to connect all the pieces. EFFIMAT Connected was developed for this exact purpose. With a simple interface the software connects all components to the EffiMat, making it a complete and efficient solution.

If needed EFFIMAT connected can be integrated with the customers ERP system, which enables seamless kitting and order handling.

Ecosphere Intralogistics has been the integration partner on the SINA project. It has been taking care of everything from plugging in the components to testing and optimising the entire SINA Solution. Ecosphere Intralogistics will be the EFFIMAT partner in Germany, who will take care of sales of SINA in the German region.

At LogiMAT 2022 in Stuttgart, the eight partners are once again coming together and EFFIMAT will together with Ecosphere Intralogistics be showcasing SINA. You will find SINA in hall 5 at booth F60 where it will showcase how kitting can be handled. Further EFFIMAT and Ecosphere Intralogistics is bringing something new – an updated, even better SINA.