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Tag: order picking

STILL reveals more iGo neo innovations

Posted on by David Priestman

STILL GmbH, the Hamburg-based provider of intralogistics solutions, was the first manufacturer to launch iGo neo in 2016, a technology that turns series-produced intralogistics trucks into independent assistants for their operators. The technology enables perfect interaction between man and machine. Now STILL is launching a series of further innovations for the OPX iGo neo horizontal order picker that result in even more autonomy and therefore additional safety and cost-effectiveness in the warehouse.

The OPX iGo neo horizontal order picker is a vehicle that autonomously follows the operator at every step during order picking. It reacts to its operator and the environment. It therefore provides ergonomic order picking that is unique in the market. The innovative technology ensures that the order picker is always ideally positioned in relation to the operator and that the operator does not have to walk unnecessarily, which in itself leads to increased efficiency.

Safety is also high on STILL’s agenda, especially for autonomous vehicles. The OPX iGo neo, for instance, has a unique safety concept. The horizontal order picker recognises and reacts situationally not only to people but also to dynamic and static objects. It independently detects and avoids non-critical obstacles and stops gently in front of critical barriers.

Collision avoidance in manual operation

Since November this year, the STILL Easy Protect collision protection system has been providing additional safety, even in manual operation. The assistance system is available for all OPX iGo neo models: “If the operator is on a collision course during manual operation, the truck detects this and brakes automatically depending on the distance of the obstacle,” explained Thede Baumann, Product Manager for the iGo neo.

When developing this assistance system, one of the key objectives was to keep the restrictions on driving as low as possible. “To achieve this,” said Volker Viereck, Head of intelligent autonomous software development at KION mobile automation, “the driving manoeuvre requested by the operator is constantly assessed and intervention only takes place if the operator is explicitly on a collision course”. This means that the closer the vehicle gets to an obstacle, the more the specified speed is reduced to avoid a collision.

“However, if the operator reacts to the obstacle by adjusting the steering angle, thus avoiding it,” continued the robotics development manager, “the vehicle automatically accelerates again to the driving speed desired by the operator.”

In addition, Easy Protect evaluates the distance at which the operator wants to pass an obstacle. This leads to a possible speed reduction of the vehicle depending on this distance.

“Easy Protect is comparable to the lane departure warning system in cars,” said Baumann. The great difference to the automotive industry, however, is that the operator is supported very discreetly by the assistance system. In a nutshell, the corrections made by the vehicle are minimal and very gentle, but nevertheless accurate to the centimetre.

The level of intervention of STILL’s new assistance system, which can also be retrofitted to trucks already on the market, can be selected by the operator and adjusted if necessary. Three modes are available for this: early intervention, standard intervention and late intervention.

“With this assistance system, the iGo neo was especially able to play to its strengths,” Viereck continued, “because the sensor technology for this was already available in the vehicle.” The new feature does not require any hardware upgrades and can be made available to all existing customers via a vehicle software update. This underlines STILL’s strategy of allowing the OPX iGo neo to benefit from new optimisations or even new features even after it has been delivered. If desired, the robotic vehicle can be kept permanently up-to-date.

3D collision protection

The 3D collision protection, which will be added to STILL’s OPX iGo neo from next year, uses a 3D camera to reliably detect obstacles in front of the truck – both in manual and autonomous operation. “The camera is positioned above the pedestrian protection system,” explained Viereck. “This means that its field of vision covers the entire height of the front of the vehicle, which was also an explicit request from our customers.”

In addition to increased safety, the 3D collision protection also leads to higher working efficiency, for example when using several scissor lift trucks. Until now, larger safety distances were necessary in practice because the raised forks of the vehicle in front cannot be detected by sensors.

“Since this restriction is resolved by Easy Protect 3D, vehicles can close in more closely,” said Baumann. This in turn reduces walking distances and increases productivity. This assistance system by STILL, which is unique on the market so far, can also be retrofitted for existing order pickers.

New industrial pallet version

As of now, a new vehicle version of STILL’s OPX iGo neo horizontal order picker is also available. The industrial pallet version enables the transport of load carriers up to a width of 1,000mm in autonomous assistance mode. Previously, this was only possible for a pallet width of 800mm.

This option increases the range of applications for the OPX iGo neo even more. It expands perspectives not only for industrial pallets but also for special load carriers with a width of up to 1,000mm. The integrated pedestrian protection system safeguards the enlarged vehicle and load width accordingly. In addition, the intelligent vehicle knows its own dimensions and operates accordingly. An adaptation of the desired distances is not necessary, this is done by the neo itself. The new industrial pallet version from STILL is available for all models.

“Since each country has different requirements for the use of autonomous vehicles, a number of system enhancements have been made,” explained Viereck. Due to this system expansion to adapt to the legal requirements of the different regions, the OPX iGo neo can now be offered throughout EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa) as well as in other regions, such as the USA, Australia or New Zealand. The success of the STILL horizontal order picker is therefore not limited to core Europe – the truck is now in demand worldwide.

IMI adds Lydia Voice to WMS portfolio

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Fast-growing supply chain software specialist Industri-Matematik International (IMI) has enhanced its offering by adding the LYDIA Voice pick-by-voice solution to its powerful portfolio.

The partnership deal with topsystem signed in June 2021 means that IMI can now include state-of-the-art LYDIA Voice technology as part of IMI Warehouse Management System (IMI WMS). The good news for IMI customers is that they can optimise their warehouse processes at high-speed and with minimal disruption, as standardised integrations are available for fast on-site implementation.

LYDIA Voice is winning fans all over the logistics world because it provides hands-free, eyes-free and – compared to other voice solutions – even headset-free benefits to pickers and operatives via a unique LYDIA VoiceWear picking vest. There are no breaks in the workflow; the employee can focus entirely on picking without distraction. The wins are much-improved speed and accuracy. Easy to pick up and use in an instant, LYDIA requires no voice template training and reacts to voice commands in multiple languages according to customer preference.

Shared Technology Ethos

Already known for its cutting-edge supply chain software expertise, IMI recognised a growing customer need for voice technology and wanted to broaden its offering with a complete end-to-end product that fitted with its own WMS. “We chose LYDIA Voice because we saw a similar technology leader in topsystem that approached the market in a similar way to ourselves, focusing on customer need and ease above all,” explained Niklas Rönnbäck, CEO, IMI.

Part of German-founded global software innovator Ehrhardt Partner Group (EPG), topsystem represents an impressive statement of intent from IMI and typifies the exciting growth journey that the company is undertaking. Founded in Sweden over 50 years ago, IMI now boasts clients in 18 countries and is best known for its flexible software expertise supporting the FMCG, retail, distribution and 3PL sectors in the Nordics, Europe and North America. It now expedites more than one billion order lines per year at thousands of warehouses and stores – with an astonishing 99.9% uptime.

IMI CEO Niklas Rönnbäck is excited about the opportunities ahead: “Together with the right team, product offerings and global leading partners such as topsystem, we are strengthening our market position still more and we are building a stable foundation for continued expansion with existing as well as new customers. IMI is and will be a leading niche provider of supply chain solutions to look out for now and in the future.”

Tim Just, CEO Voice Solutions at EPG, added: “The Nordic market plays an important role in our growth strategy. With IMI we have found a great partner who fits with our ethos. Plus LYDIA Voice integrates seamlessly with their WMS. Many customers prefer complete solutions from a single source. As a certified Lydia Solution Partner, IMI can successfully manage LYDIA Voice projects – from the first contact until go-live and beyond. We look forward to exciting times with IMI as we share their growth journey.”

 

 

STILL offers top performance for order picking

Posted on by David Priestman

Is order picking always the same? Not at all. Hardly any other field of activity in intralogistics is as diverse as goods picking. The range of applications is wide and requires appropriate technologies. STILL – one of the leading suppliers of intralogistics solutions and a successful market player for more than 100 years – says it can provide the right order picking vehicle for any customer requirement.

The requirements in order picking are diverse and so are the users’ needs for information. Is the picking to be done on the lowest shelf level or is it necessary to pick vertically – and if so, at what heights? In which industry will the picking be carried out? Which goods need to be picked – and are they rather large and bulky or small and heavy?

Also important: What kind of warehouse is it? Does the vehicle have to be designed to manoeuvre mainly in narrow spaces? Is it to be used in narrow aisles or is a combined use in narrow and wide aisles intended? And last but not least: what degree of automation is necessary and/or desired? There is a great variety of possible options, and STILL’s responses to customer requirements are comprehensive. The Hamburg-based company has the right vehicle for any application in its range.

“As different as the application profiles and thus the vehicles may be, certain requirements must be met in any case,” says Janos Poppe, product trainer for horizontal order pickers at STILL.

“Regardless of whether it is a classic order picker or a vehicle designed for narrow aisles: High reliability, energy-efficient use, easy battery handling and fatigue-free operation must be guaranteed. In addition, efficient work and high handling performance with our state-of-the-art vehicles are of course the focus of customer requirements,” adds Christian Ehlers, product trainer for vertical order pickers at STILL.

Just how varied intralogistics tasks are can be seen by looking at the different industries. In the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and the food industry in particular, but also in other trades and services, right through to retail, there is much more to it than ‘light’ order picking.

Aiming high in a confined space

If pallets need to be picked at very high levels or entire pallets stored and retrieved, this is where the MX-X from STILL comes into its own. With this truck, which is operated in narrow aisles, pallets can be picked at heights of more than 17.5m. Depending on the vehicle configuration, the MX-X can reach speeds of up to 14km/h with mechanical guidance and 10km/h with inductive guidance.

“With these travel speeds, the MX-X delivers maximum handling performance in any narrow aisle,” adds Ehlers. Lifting speeds of up to 0.6m/s and lowering speeds of 0.45m/s allow the MX-X to quickly store and retrieve pallets – or pick onto them – at any height. The tilt barriers enable a short distance between the driver and the pallet and thus fast and ergonomic order picking. “This means the vehicle delivers top performance in the tightest of spaces when picking at great heights,” says Ehlers.

Despite the great heights, the operator can work without worries. The design of the main and auxiliary lift provides impressive stability at any storage height. In addition, the MX-X is equipped with Active Floor Compensation (AFC). The AFC feature ensures that any unevenness in the ground between the left and right lanes is compensated for. With this assistance system AFC, STILL offers a real alternative to the costly reconditioning of the warehouse floor. In addition, the driver no longer feels the unevenness and thus always feels safe on the MX-X even at a height of 18m.

Master picking applications in wide and narrow aisles with ease

“Every order picking task should be easy to manage,” emphasises Ehlers. This is also what the EK-X series stands for. The EK-X up to 1,000kg, for example – just like its big brother, the EK-X up to 1,200kg – can be used flexibly and reliably in both wide and narrow aisles due to its compact and variable vehicle dimensions. It is used in a wide range of industries and applications. These include mechanical engineering companies, logistics service providers and central warehouses of large trading companies.

Thanks to its powerful, reliable and low-maintenance three-phase engines (with 24V as well as 48V battery), the vertical order picker reaches travel speeds of up to 11km/h and is able to transport loads weighing up to 1,000kg. The maximum reach height of the EK-X up to 1,000kg is 7.8m. “With the EK-X 10, the EK-X up to 1,000kg and the EK-X up to 1,200kg, our order-picking portfolio from STILL optimally covers customer requirements from the lowest level to the very highest heights,” says Ehlers.

The highlights of the EK-X series include innovative features such as Curve Speed Control or the OptiSpeed system. In addition, it is possible to use lithium-ion-based energy storage systems on the EK-X up to 1,000kg and 1,200kg. In connection with this technology, the opportunity charging option is also available. This connects the charger directly to the battery and thus enables fast, simple and uncomplicated intermediate charging. For customers who opt for a lead-acid battery in combination with “Li-ion ready”, it is also possible to prepare the vehicle for future opportunity charging.

Great focus on ergonomics and safety

When designing the EK-X up to 1,000kg, STILL’s developers placed great emphasis on ergonomics and safety. Thanks to the low cab floor height of just 200mm, the driver can reach the cab safely and without difficulty. The shock-absorbing cab floor takes the strain off the operator and a large-area presence switch allows a variable and comfortable standing position. On the vehicle, the operator not only has everything under control as well as a wide range of equipment options, but also optionally a driver’s cab that is 70mm deeper, which provides more freedom of movement.

Easy picking of heavy and bulky goods

For picking heavy and bulky goods on the EK-X up to 1,000kg, the truck has optionally been equipped with a walk-on pallet. “This makes it easy to pick heavy and bulky goods and contributes further to occupational health and safety,” explains Ehlers. A high level of safety is ensured by a contact switch and automatic locking of the pallet.

“Safety is the first priority, especially at great heights,” emphasises Ehlers. Thus, the EK-X up to 1,000kg has a sensor-controlled two-hand operation that guarantees accident-free operation, especially in narrow aisles. To ensure that the vehicle stays on track in narrow aisles, it is optionally equipped with mechanical or inductive guidance. “These and many more features stand for maximum user safety of our entire EK-X series,” says Christian Ehlers.

All-round talent especially for ground-level applications

For order picking tasks at ground level, STILL also has the right trucks in their product range. “The ideal trucks for order picking tasks at ground level are the horizontal order pickers in the OPX series by STILL,” explains Poppe. This is an all-rounder that can travel at speeds of up to 14km/h in the warehouse and has been specially designed for classic horizontal order picking.

“Nevertheless, the variety offered by this vehicle series is incredibly large,” says Poppe. It ranges from a simple vehicle with a load capacity of up to 1,200kg to load capacities of up to 2,500kg. Depending on the equipment, two pallets can also be transported and picked at the same time – also at an ergonomic working height of the forks to protect the backs of the employees during picking.

Picking in the second level

While the horizontal order pickers of the OPX series are mainly designed for picking in the ground level and the operator picks the pallet from the side of the vehicle, the vertical order pickers of the OXV series are also designed for picking work in the second level. The vehicle is equipped with a platform lift as standard, which enables the operator to pick directly onto the pallet when the platform is raised. “Unlike the OPX, which is designed for several pallets, the OXV transports exactly one pallet,” explains Poppe.

The vehicle, which travels up to 10km/h, can transport pallets weighing 700 or 1,000kg. Like the vehicles of the OPX series, it impresses with a high level of driving comfort and intuitive operator guidance. Simultaneous steering, lifting and driving is a breeze with the STILL Easy Drive steering wheel.

“In combination with the OPX and the EK-X order pickers designed for higher operations, the trucks of the OXV series perfectly round off the STILL portfolio in the order picker sector,” says Poppe.

Automation and autonomy in order picking

A few years ago, STILL also took a big step towards automation and autonomy – also with regard to order picking. Since 2016, the Hamburg-based company has been offering its customers not only the fully automated MX-X but also the autonomous version of the horizontal order picker, the OPX iGo neo. With the help of state-of-the-art sensor technology, the vehicle recognises its operator as well as its surroundings. By means of a multi-level safety concept including a pedestrian protection system, the OPX iGo neo protects people, warehouse equipment and goods. Based on the generated data and defined algorithms, the vehicle makes decisions: obstacles are avoided or the vehicle stops completely if the available space is too small to avoid the obstacles.

The OPX iGo neo significantly increases picking performance and reduces picking errors. On the one hand, because the autonomous helper takes over driving and steering during order picking and the operator can thus concentrate fully on the work. On the other hand, because up to 75% of the strenuous and time-consuming getting up and off the vehicle is eliminated and the walking distances with loads are greatly reduced.

Looking at STILL’s broad portfolio, Ehlers sums up: “It is STILL’s mission to offer every customer the right vehicle for any picking application.”

New order picker for medium rack heights

Posted on by David Priestman

With the Linde V modular B vertical order picker, Linde Material Handling (MH) is launching a new high-performance, robust turret truck. The “man-up” vehicle expands the intralogistics specialist’s product range for wide and narrow aisle warehouses, thus offering distribution centre operators and manufacturing companies an even greater choice of customized solutions.

Many warehouse operators solve the need for additional storage space by adding more racking and expanding racks upwards by one or two levels. As a result, the demands on the vehicles used for picking are growing in parallel: Picking heights can exceed 7m, which means the vehicles must have a stable chassis as well as provide an ergonomic and safe working environment so that operators can fully concentrate on the picking process.

“Picking is the value-adding activity in a warehouse and therefore at the core of the business,” Matthias Holzwarth, Product Manager VNA Trucks, puts it in a nutshell. “With the new Linde V modular B turret truck, we offer our customers a powerful yet cost-effective solution for precisely these requirements.”

With a load capacity of 1,000kg and a reach height of up to 7.83m, the vehicles meet customer needs such as those found in online retail, small parts logistics in distribution centres and factory supermarkets. At their core, they are based on the larger V modular series, with the “B” in the model name standing for “Best Value” and indicating that the vehicle comes equipped solely with features necessary for this picking height.

Convincing set-up

The trucks’ maximum driving speed of 11km/h means movement is rapid. Comfort is provided by the spacious cab, which is decoupled from the chassis and thus cushioned from vibrations. A soft mat absorbs vibrations when the mast is raised during travel, and operators find secure footing on the firm surface at the edge of the cab floor while order picking.

The low railing of the driver’s cab allows for easy, reliable picking of goods from the rack, and the optional outward tilt function allows for the extra few centimetres of movement that are often needed for better access in the racking.

The mast design provides excellent visibility of the surroundings, and the electric steering makes it easy to manoeuvre with precision. Thanks to the modular vehicle concept, the vertical order pickers can be individually adapted to specific customer requirements. Depending on the power requirements, for example, a 24v and a 48v motor are available.

The Linde V modular B is also equipped with various safety features. For example, the vehicle can only be moved when the driver touches the sensors on the control unit with both hands while standing on the dead man’s switch in the foot well. The electrically monitored side barriers must be closed for operation at platform heights of 1.2m and above.

To prevent collisions with ceilings and walls, travel speeds and lifting heights can be individually adjusted by the service engineer to suit the respective conditions on site. For narrow aisle applications, scanners are available in the drive and load direction, which detect people and obstacles in the vicinity. The personnel protection system also actively intervenes in the vehicle’s drive mode in the event of an emergency, thus preventing collisions.

Successful storage: “the difference is in the detail”

Posted on by David Priestman

Innovative design details often make the difference for successful storage and order picking, says Edward Hutchison, Managing Director of BITO Storage Systems.

Constantly developing logistics and supply chain techniques have generated a diverse array of intralogistics solutions tailored to meet the precise needs of individual operations. Order volumes, SKU numbers and sizes, order lead times, the temperature of the goods being stored and available space are just some of the variables that can pose specific challenges on a project. Often it will be the small, innovative design details that make the critical difference for designing a truly successful storage and order picking solution.

While new warehouses offer easy to use space, many operations have to make the best of the compromises inherent in older buildings, with their typically inconveniently located obstructions as well as irregular footprints and ceiling heights. Squeezing sufficient storage into these areas can be a real test of ingenuity. Even newer warehouses can come with obstructions – a cold store, for example, may have fans at the top of a wall where the company may want to put racking.

Faced with the challenge of fitting a required number of locations in a given volume, while also successfully negotiating obstacles, needs careful calculations to devise the right combination of beams and uprights. It may entail profiling the ceiling areas above top level bays to plot where full or half pallet positions will fit. Sometimes the maths refuses to add up as desired – and that’s when innovation is required.

The performance of racking and shelving in any storage and order picking application will very much depend upon the quality of the components and their manufacture. However, the performance of the solution will depend on the experience and the expertise of the supplier to produce a bespoke system that will overcome any compromises and ultimately lead to an improvement in productivity and operational costs.

Holistics storage system

Pallet racking may be at the core of a project, yet having the capability to engineer solutions for other key aspects such as shelving, picking carts and packing tables will allow a more holistic system. On one occasion, supplying bespoke racking led to BITO also designing special order picking carts equipped with detachable steps. The pallet racking was configured with a single pallet bay level, with shelving above to provide locations for unpalletised ‘returned to stock’ items. Operatives pick orders into the carts and the steps allow staff to reach the shelves above the pallet bay. The carts can be picked up and moved by an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) as if it were a pallet.

Ecommerce operations often require a large number of pick spaces to hold a broad range of SKUs. The perennial challenge is fitting all the locations in the limited amount of space that can be allocated to storage.  One novel solution devised by BITO was a shelving system that would work in a similar way to a sliding wardrobe. Using boltless shelving formed the basis of the ‘Smart Slide’ system, which combines fixed shelving at the rear and a slideable shelving system at the front, giving pickers access to the full width of each bay at the rear.

Companies know their business best and often have their own great ideas for solutions to their particular issues – so sometimes it is a case of turning a client’s ideas into reality. Such was the case when a major online retailer wanted a shelving product of certain dimensions, which didn’t actually exist, and wanted dividers to be spaced to suit a robotic picking system. BITO manufactured a bespoke design to suit these specific requirements. The client was able to bring its own staff to test it and adjust it, to make sure it worked exactly as required and that its investment was maximised.

Try it out and get it right

With any bespoke design there will not, of course, be previous examples to refer to. It is important therefore to test out such a solution and fine-tune it to gain confidence in the end result. It is particularly beneficial to test carton and pallet live systems to see how they work, paying particular attention to ergonomics that allow the best system for staff to use throughout their shift. A client can bring their own items and containers to try out in a test facility or a sample system can be set up in a client’s own warehouse. This allows time to be spent, for example, finding the right height for flow lanes and to select the right container to match its products. Having the opportunity to look at other products will further contribute to zeroing in on the most successful outcome. For instance, this may come through trying out a variety of containers to examine the pick efficiency and bay configurations required to get the optimum quantity needed on the given footprint. Testing will ultimately lead to a layout that saves an incredible amount of picking time.

A supplier that can contribute expertise and experience to the solution and offers a complete range of storage equipment, which can be seen in a showroom and tried out in a test facility, will help to contribute to a seamlessly integrated system. It also helps to have a single point of contact from the design and manufacture through to the installation and support. The passion and involvement at design stage should be continued through to project planning and then execution to deliver a truly successful storage and order picking project.

Food supplier modernises DC operations

Posted on by David Priestman

Honeywell has announced that one of the largest suppliers of fresh and frozen produce and fruit in the US Midwest has deployed the company’s mobile computers, tablets and software to help its mobile workers pick, pack and ship perishables.

The Castellini Company, one of the oldest produce companies in the country, has deployed Honeywell’s CK65 and CT40 mobile computers, its VM1 vehicle-mounted computers and RT10 tablets. These portable devices are all based on Honeywell’s Mobility Edge platform, which is designed to extend asset life, accelerate deployment and simplify management of mobility solutions.

Castellini will use Honeywell’s Operational Intelligence Professional software, a centralised cloud-based platform that enables it to keep track of its new devices, manage their operational status and reduce unplanned downtime to give customers an even more trusted, reliable service. Honeywell will provide on-demand support to the Castellini Company, serving as a single point of contact for ongoing mobility device management and help desk support.

“To keep up with customer demand and a rapidly-changing environment, we were looking to use the latest technology to keep our mobile workers productive,” said Brian Kocher, president and CEO of the Castellini Group of Companies, which transports perishables to some of the largest retail grocery chains, food service distributors and home delivery services in the United States. “The combination of our warehouse system technology paired with Honeywell’s mobile computers allow us to operate at a productivity level we’ve never seen before in our history.”

The rise in e-commerce continues to set faster and more complex delivery standards, putting strains on warehouses and distribution centres to meet customer demands. Mobile computers are critical tools used by operations and mobile workers to allow for faster, smarter and more effective work. With these devices, workers can access to operational data through barcode scanning, complete picking and packing operations through voice-guided solutions and communicate with other workers to ensure tasks are complete.

“From the store back into the food supply chain, customer experience expectations coupled with new food preferences have made food supply chain efficiency more important than ever before,” said Kevin Dehoff, president of Honeywell’s Productivity Solutions and Services business. “Honeywell’s mobile computers and software provide distributors like the Castellini Company tools to connect with each other and view real-time enterprise information to work faster, smarter and more efficiently.”

The Castellini Company’s distribution centres provide next-day delivery and distribution centre replenishment. Its 1,400 truckloads deliver over 4,000 tonnes of perishables and more than 300,000 meals per week.

Honeywell’s Mobility Edge platform is a unified hardware and software architecture with an integrated software toolset and the only one that guarantees support through Android 12. Mobility Edge enables IT departments to reuse their investment in solution development and software certification across multiple computer form factors.

Honeywell’s mobile computers, voice technology automated material handling solutions and software solutions are designed to help customers answer supply chain challenges and meet the exponential growth of ecommerce and rising consumer expectations.

Motion: the next dimension of hand-eye applications

Posted on by David Priestman

In robotics, a hand-eye system denotes a setup where a vision system is directly attached to the robotic arm, generally behind the very last joint. This approach offers an alternative to the more traditional fixed mounting of the vision system, usually above the working volume of the robot.

Though the hand-eye approach may benefit many applications, its potential has so far been largely limited by standard vision systems. Photoneo comes with an ultimate solution that finally puts an end to these vision-based limitations.

Advantages

The hand-eye approach is very useful in specific applications as it offers a number of advantages over the fixed-vision-system method. First of all, it can cover a much bigger scanning volume as it can be specifically directed to the area of interest, offering much more flexibility than the latter approach. The vision system is thus only limited by the reach of the robot rather than by its own scanning volume.

Scanning distance is one of the main parameters that determine scanning accuracy – a hand-eye vision system with a shorter scanning range can provide a much higher level of detail than a fixed vision system with a large scanning distance. If a customer has a large bin filled with small parts, the highest level of detail will be achieved by using a small scanner with a short scanning range mounted to the robotic arm.

A hand-eye system is also an advantageous option in case an application comprises two or more containers. A standard setup with a fixed vision system would either require a linear axis above the bins or multiple vision systems. A hand-eye system will do with one scanner moving with the robotic arm from one container to another.

Furthermore, bin walls or a vision system mounted above the container in a fixed manner may cast shadows on certain sections of the container, inhibiting proper scan acquisition of some parts. In such cases, a compromise needs to be made for finding an optimal position for the scanner in relation to the bin and sometimes the parts need to be manually rearranged. The hand-eye approach can easily overcome this challenge.

Hand-eye systems present a modern approach with rising popularity, which gains a firm foothold in an increasing number of robotic applications. Its benefits become even more important with the rise of collaborative robotics. However, one should keep in mind that the deployment of the hand-eye approach makes real sense only in specific types of applications.

Important considerations

Though the hand-eye setup provides a number of advantages, there are certain factors that need to be considered before adopting the approach.

Hand-eye systems require a more difficult installation than setups with a fixed vision system. It is also more difficult to find an optimal way to handle the cables that power the deployed vision system.

In addition, because the scanner is attached to the robotic arm, it may restrict the robot’s movements. It is therefore advisable to use a smaller vision system.

Another drawback of hand-eye systems is a higher risk of colliding with the sensor and possible difficulties with finding the optimal position on the robotic arm for the vision system, especially if it is of a larger size.

Moreover, robot movements cause vibrations, which standard high-accuracy area-scan vision systems cannot handle. Because of this, the robotic arm needs to stay still during scan acquisition, which may prolong the cycle time. As a result, the hand-eye approach is not the right solution for time-critical applications.

Of course, there are applications where the hand-eye setup is the best option and that do greatly benefit from this approach. In those cases, the vision-based limitations can be overcome with Photoneo’s revolutionary ‘Parallel Structured Light’ technology.

Hand-eye coordination in motion

The ‘Parallel Structured Light’ technology, implemented in the Photoneo 3D camera MotionCam-3D, enables hand-eye coordination without trade-offs between quality and speed. MotionCam-3D is the only 3D vision system that provides high-quality scans even during the movement of the robotic arm. The camera is highly resistant to vibrations and does not require stopping the robot.

The technology enables the capture of objects moving up to 144kmh, providing a resolution of 0.9Mpx and an accuracy of 300–1250μm, and in the static mode a resolution of 2Mpx and an accuracy of 150–900μm. MotionCam-3D is available in five models – most suitable for hand-eye applications are models S, S+, and M.

The greatest benefit of the novel technology is that the robot does not need to stop to make a scan, which dramatically shortens the cycle time when compared to standard technologies. It thus opens the door to new applications such as instant tracking of the object position.

Collaborative robotics has also been limited by the drawbacks of standard methods. Collaborative robots are slower per se than industrial robots and when combined with the hand-eye approach, the cycle times are prolonged even more. MotionCam-3D overcomes this limitation and works perfectly also if attached to the arm of a collaborative robot.

Motioncam-3D comes as an ultimate solution for any kind of robotic tasks. Vision-system-based limitations of the hand-eye approach are now an issue of the past. The technology offers the best resolution and accuracy for scanning at fast speed, effective resistance to vibrations, and shorter cycle times than ever.

Arvato and NIMMSTA promote “freehand” operations

Posted on by David Priestman

In the future, Arvato Systems will work with the innovative wearable manufacturer NIMMSTA. The joint partner Advantech, a leading provider of industrial computer solutions, saw potential in a cooperation between the two companies and initiated the partnership. From now on, Arvato Systems uses the back-of-hand scanner HS 50 developed by NIMMSTA in its cloud-based logistics platform platbricks, thereby expanding its Pick-by-X solutions for logistics.

Processes in assembly, order picking, replenishment or shipping can be carried out ergonomically and efficiently. This option represents an economical and pragmatic alternative to speech and image-based technologies.

Munich-based NIMMSTA developed the first back-of-hand scanner with a touch display and launched it on the market last year. Users are provided with information on switching on, placement, easy pairing and the scanning process through interactive operation on the Paperwhite touch display and can also make entries and confirmations themselves. With the cloud-based logistics platform platbricks, Arvato Systems offers a modular system for digitising logistics processes. For order picking, a process with high added value in logistics, platbricks already has a large selection of different methods (Pick-by-X) ready.

By integrating the NIMMSTA HS 50 into the platbricks mobile Solutions module, Arvato Systems is expanding its range of solutions for order picking. Individually designed and intuitively operable app dialogues guide employees through the process, who can carry it out efficiently with their hands free. Meanwhile, the NIMMSTA 50 HS communicates in real time with the platbricks logistics platform, which checks the plausibility of the data and processes it further.

“With the back of the hand scanner from NIMMSTA, we have found a robust and very ergonomic alternative for our Pick-by-X picking methods, which usefully complements our portfolio of mobile solutions for the cloud-based logistics software platbricks,” explains Bernd Jaschinski-Schürmann, Head of Digital Supply Chain Management at Arvato Systems. “In particular, the powerful scan engine, the robust design and the low weight create important prerequisites for efficient process handling in order picking.”

“The partnership with Arvato Systems enables our mutual customers to use NIMMSTA PRO without any integration effort. This enables an enormous increase in efficiency to be achieved very quickly,” adds Florian Ruhland, Managing Director Sales and Technology at NIMMSTA. “The companies can display and edit all processes on our touch display. I look forward to all successful projects with Arvato Systems, which, thanks to our two products, will always be innovative and process-optimising.”

Beumer Group introduces new pouch technology

Posted on by David Priestman

Beumer Group – a leading global supplier of automated material handling systems – has launched its own new BG Pouch System in response to rapid growth of interest from omnichannel and D2C operators.

This innovative system expands Beumer Group’s offering for the warehouse and distribution industry with a pouch sortation solution that meets the escalating requirements felt by today’s modern fulfilment and distribution operations. The BG Pouch System was developed to relieve the unprecedented pressure to deliver financial and logistical efficiency in the demanding e-commerce environment and fits perfectly into Beumer Group’s existing end-to-end integration solutions to solve intralogistics challenges for fashion companies.

An Italian fashion brand with a tight product life cycle has become the first operation to invest in the BG Pouch System as a part of their fine-tuned worldwide distribution operation. This follows many of Beumer Group’s other solutions that have proved effective in warehouse and distribution operations for re- and e-tailors such as NIKE, Foot Locker and ASOS.

The BG Pouch System enables the growing demand for fast, e-commerce driven cycle times to be met by warehouses and third-party logistic (3PL) providers. The persisting problem of reverse logistics is solved by effective and efficient handling of returns using built-in interim storage capacity for returned products. This avoids unnecessary manual handling as returned goods can be sent for shipment directly from the dynamic buffer, without ever being sent back to the main storage area and without having to be re-picked. In an omni-channel environment, the sort and sequence functions are invaluable to facilitate goods sortation for shop delivery to ensure products arrive to stores in a shop-friendly manner and expedite shelf replenishment.

The BG Pouch System has a capacity of 7kg which is ideally suited to fashion items from shoes to garments on hangers (GoH), as well as a wider product profile, including print & media, pharmaceuticals & beauty products and electronics. This versatility provides a high flexibility for handling diverse items, no matter the requirement for returns handling, peak seasonal demands or omni-channel performance pressure. Different types of items, held for different clients, destined for different types of shipping can be collated in one intelligent storage system. This will be of particular interest for 3PL players.

The BG Pouch System will be of interest to operations considering upgrading conventional, manual operations with a realistic and achievable approach to automation. The BG Pouch System can be mounted in the ceiling, representing a massive saving on space and allowing deployment when floor area is a limiting factor. Additionally, as a modular system, the BG Pouch System can also be scaled up easily when required with minimal installation time.

Each BG Pouch System module can handle more than 10,000 pouches per hour. The dynamic buffer reduces manual handling to dramatically speed up and smooth intralogistics flows, allowing predictive picking to significantly reduce handling peaks. The system runs on a contactless magnetic drive that gives friction-free operation. This means minimal wear on mechanical parts, cutting the operating costs through low maintenance, a reduced number of spares and a minimum of cleaning requirements.

Staff retention is another concern for logistics operators, and the BG Pouch System is designed with comfort and ease of use in mind. The height of each workstation is adjustable to suit each individual worker, and access to pouches and controls is ergonomically designed.

Stephan Heessels, Director for Beumer Group Logistic Systems: “We see a huge potential for a modern version of pouch technology, especially for our customers looking to refine their fulfilment and distribution chain by optimising processes to have faster goods-to-consumer cycles and a much, much lower need for operators touching the items.”

Beumer Group can facilitate the entire process of installing the pouch sortation solution through every stage of operation from the selection of solution, through design, build, test, implementation, training, maintenance and growth. Beumer will not only operate independently with its own technology but will act as a full-service integrator throughout the process, working with third-party suppliers providing a complete solution to deliver a fully comprehensive system.

Automation at your fingertips

Posted on by David Priestman

Big Box Group has teamed up with ProGlove to make automation a more attractive, affordable and accessible proposition for small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), helping them identify better ways to save costs and improve efficiencies.

Jason Dyche, director of Big Box Automation – part of the Big Box Group – says the wearable and wireless scanning technology is an exciting and innovative solution for retail, ecommerce and third-party logistics (3PLs), as the importance of automation within the industries continues to grow.

He said: “We have one simple aim, and that’s to help our clients hit their targets and achieve their objectives. This partnership with ProGlove is just another way we can help them work faster, reduce dwell time and improve their return on investment (ROI).

“At Big Box Automation we use data to identify cost-saving opportunities. Picking, moving and sorting takes a varying amount of time depending on the technology you use, so we look at where the gaps are and provide solutions like ProGlove that can really speed up the process.”

ProGlove are barcode scanners designed to be mounted on the hand. They allow the wearer to get instant and reliable scans while leaving both hands free to focus on their job.

One client that has really benefited from the technology is ecommerce expert Rex Brown, which provides many of the world’s largest consumer goods businesses with best-in-class solutions for accessing marketplaces and social commerce channels.

Jason continues: “Rex Brown are picking 18% faster compared to the previous technology they were using. The accuracy of the scanner, which works from more angles and greater distances, is really helping them to pick faster, and more precisely, than before, especially when it comes to those hard-to-read barcodes.

“The data of the scan goes instantly to their existing mobile Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) applications. Ultimately, it’s making life easier and less painful for them – and, crucially, it’s delivering on ROI.”

By observing the activity in warehouses, Big Box Automation is able to see where time and energy is being lost, and how its sister partnerships with Balyo and GreyOrange – in addition to ProGlove – can add value.

“Through our trusted partnerships, we have the ability to draw everything together and keep things simple and affordable for a scope of businesses, from SMEs up to blue chips,” adds Jason.

“Knowing what we have in the locker, we can collect data based on current activity and apply automation solutions to offer the best ROI to the client.

For the vast majority of businesses, automation has become a necessity to keep pace with the modern market.

Jason concludes: “We all know how technology has influenced our day-to-day lives through the emergence of online delivery, which is driven by automation and robotics. That same technology is now available across all business sectors.

“Almost every business is facing the same challenge, and what we’re trying to do is show – through our data analysis, ROI projections and partnerships – that automation and robotics can be a genuine solution for those businesses who perhaps thought it was beyond their budget.

“SMEs, 3PLs and ecommerce most certainly have a seat at the automation table. Being proactive today means being less reactive tomorrow.”

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