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Tag: robotics

Automated vehicles to receive “trail maps” soon

Posted on by David Priestman

Hamburg-based intralogistics supplier STILL has taken part in a research project conducted recently to help map the future of automated vehicles.

In order to successfully automate warehouse processes, large amounts of data about the existing infrastructure are needed. How this information can be obtained more easily and possibly even standardised is one of the issues addressed by the “Industrial Indoor Localisation” (IIL) research project, which ended in February 2021.

The Hamburg-based intralogistics supplier STILL not only contributed their extensive expertise in the field of vehicle automation and robotics to this project, but with its autonomous horizontal order picker OPX iGo neo, they already have the ideal vehicle for efficient process automation, thus taking the next step towards greater autonomy and flexibility.

Indoor localisation offers intralogistics important tools for future-oriented automation solutions. However, only those who know exactly where a forklift truck, a robot or a pallet is at a certain point in time can exploit this potential.

“To determine this position, we need detailed maps that can be standardised as far as possible,” says Tino Krüger-Basjmeleh, robotics expert at STILL GmbH. This standardised reference framework was developed between 2018 and 2021 in the ‘Industrial Indoor Localisation’ research project funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg. The result is an open-source reference architecture for indoor localisation (RAIL) which facilitates the provision of location-based services. STILL was part of this collaboration between science (Hamburg University of Technology) and industry, as was the sensor manufacturer Pepperl+Fuchs.

Today, numerous automation projects are not realised only because their implementation always involves a significant initial outlay for map creation and vehicle commissioning,” says Krüger-Basjmeleh, describing the current situation and thus the background of the research project, adding: “At this point at the latest, there is a danger that customers will dismiss budding automation plans.”

In fact, great potential is being wasted in an important future market. To change this, maps are needed that enable man and machine to serve different needs and decouple complex developments. In addition, these maps should also be quickly and easily adaptable to the respective environment by non-technicians.

“If these prerequisites are met, intelligent localisation technologies will reduce costs, increase productivity and improve occupational safety in the near future. With the results of the IIL project that has now been completed, we have come a big step closer to achieving these goals,” asserts the robotics expert.

A key factor in the success of the IIL research project was the autonomous horizontal order picker OPX iGo neo contributed by STILL. “With the sensors already installed in the OPX iGo neo in series production, the integrated vehicle robotics system is already capable of answering all the questions that an automated vehicle has to answer,” describes Krüger-Basjmeleh.

It was these advantages that the vehicle brought to the research project. However, STILL and its customers can also derive important benefits from this circumstance. “In the course of the project, we developed many new capabilities for the OPX iGo neo and thus significantly increased its autonomy once again. This resulted in a new prototype of the vehicle, which we can use in future to demonstrate numerous automation approaches to our customers very clearly and without much effort,” says Krüger-Basjmeleh.

For instance, during the research project, the autonomous vehicle demonstrated for the first time that it can switch very smoothly and almost unnoticed by the operator between manual, fully automatic and autonomous assistance mode. In practice, these processes work like this: The vehicle reaches the picker in automatic mode with a previously picked up pallet and then switches to assistance mode. In this mode, it assists the operator in the picking process, so that the operator can individually assemble goods and the vehicle, as an “extended arm”, continuously follows the operator. At the end of the picking process, the vehicle automatically brings the order to the transfer point.

“This is indeed a novelty for the entire intralogistics industry. The fact that this process runs so smoothly is something we were able to demonstrate for the first time in the course of the research project. The operating personnel are optimally supported by this Cobot (collaborative robot) functionality,” says the robotics expert with satisfaction.

In summary, the IIL research project was a great success. For the further development of warehouse and production logistics – but also for STILL.

“At STILL, we have been working on automation for a very long time and can already offer our customers very efficient solutions. We would like to optimise these approaches further in the future,” says Krüger-Basjmeleh. However, it is always necessary to consider which products actually meet the customer’s needs and are ready for series production.

With the results of the IIL project, planning and commissioning processes can be simplified in the future, as the expert explains: “Thanks to the intelligent maps and the new vehicle capabilities, we will be able to install automated vehicles quickly and smoothly at the customer’s site in the future and discuss with them whether the proposed solution actually meets their needs. Thus, on the one hand, participation in such research projects helps us to increase customer benefits. On the other hand, it allows us to maintain our lead over our market competitors.”

Webinar: Solving the logistics challenge with cobots

Posted on by David Priestman

According to Statista, the logistics market costs surpassed €1.6bn in Europe alone in 2019 with that figure only expected to rise. As logistical operations continue to scale in complexity and demand, how can your company ensure you’re offering the same level of quality, consistency and safety with each delivery?

ENTER INDUSTRY 4.0

In Universal Robots’ latest free webinar, Mark Gray, Country Manager UK & IRL, discusses the latest challenges that logistics Operational Teams face and the value cobots can bring as we continue to navigate the uncertainties that the COVID-19 climate brings.

Join us on 11th May 2021 at 11am (BST)

Mark will offer exclusive insight into how cobots can:

  • Increase the speed from specification to fulfilment
  • Refine and scale your fulfilment resource in your production line
  • Optimise and mobilise the end-of-line palletising process
  • Rapidly deploy and scale logistics operations to meet ongoing and ever-changing market demands
  • Support team utilisation on an operational level
  • Shortlist stock locations to automate and minimise the fulfilment-to-error ratio

Using the link below, sign up for your free place and start transforming your logistical operations today.

Click here to sign up for free! 

Covid pandemic puts spotlight on automation and robots

Posted on by David Priestman

The global pandemic has placed a spotlight on the fragility of modern supply chains and manufacturing processes. Tenuous links in the supply chain were quickly fractured with global shutdowns and the grounding of all travel.

Already stressed relationships with international suppliers, overburdened transport systems, a lack of end-to-end supply chain visibility, and outdated processes for monitoring and responding to demand, collapsed in February 2020.

Suddenly people were told to stay home – everything closed – stores, restaurants, schools, theatres, gyms, and office buildings. And with that, everything moved online, from seniors buying their groceries with a mobile app to kids attending virtual school through to the continual scheduling of Zoom meetings.

The demand on ecommerce was staggering. If it could be bought online, people were buying it and expecting same-day delivery. Companies were left scrambling, trying to figure out how to meet this heightened demand, keep their employees safe, and continue to operate without their usual supply chain networks.

Suddenly, overnight the how and where of manufacturing and distribution changed. Every link in the supply chain needed a makeover.

How could companies meet demands while keeping their employees safe and maintaining their bottom line? Conversations about infrastructure, reshoring, last-mile delivery, regionalisation, automation, staffing, and ecommerce were happening across every industry.

And now, a little over a year later, many companies have the processes, people, and technology to respond to sudden change and interruptions.

Whether it’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) moving pallets instead of human-operated forklifts or reshoring manufacturing and distribution or taking advantage of 3D printing of parts and cobots, companies are finding new ways to remain viable and successful.

In this article, authored by AutoGuide Mobile Robots, we discuss how COVID-19 has turned challenge into opportunity, giving companies the motivation to change how they think about creating, making, assembling, and delivering parts and products.

COVID-19 Exposes Challenges in Manufacturing, Warehousing, and Distribution

In 2020 we saw the largest global manufacturing and factory shutdown since the 1940s. Starting with closures in China and quickly spreading throughout the world, manufacturing and supply chain operations came to a full stop by April 2020.

While definitive numbers on the impacts of these closures on sales, employment, profit, and long-term financial viability are not yet available we do know that the damages of the 2020 shutdown run deep. For example, Accenture highlights these numbers in its State of Supply Chains report:

  • 94% of Fortune 1000 companies saw supply chain disruptions from COVID-19
  • 75% of companies have had negative or strongly negative impacts on their businesses
  • 55% of companies plan to downgrade their growth outlooks (or have already done so)

The global pandemic has exacerbated long-standing supply chain challenges and created new ones for all companies regardless of size and industry:

Lack of skilled employees: with stay-at-home orders and universal concerns about workplace health and safety, the pre-pandemic labour shortage became a deal breaker for companies. When manufacturing and warehouses did reopen, it’s been very difficult to hire skilled employees and to keep them healthy and safe while maintaining profitable operations.

Social distancing mandates: maintaining 6 feet between employees in any business is an expensive challenge. Installing plexiglass dividers, acquiring enough PPE for employees, refactoring assembly lines to ensure safe distancing, and managing staffing levels required to meet customer demand forced a change in almost every process.

Global supply chain dependence: relying on offshore manufacturing and production collapses when ships, planes, and people are grounded. Pre-pandemic orders could not be filled, container ships packed with goods were left stranded at ports, assembly lines stopped mid-production, warehouses were locked with in-demand product lingering on the shelves, and companies had zero ability to respond to new customer orders.

Ecommerce boom: the acceleration in ecommerce purchasing caught many companies by surprise. With people told to stay-at-home, stores closed and even with the slow reopening of retail in some areas, ecommerce has remained the shopping medium of choice. Both B2B and B2C customers prefer to do their research and purchasing online with expectations for same- or next-day delivery. This puts focus squarely on rethinking how manufacturing and distribution can become more efficient.

Customer purchasing demands: pre-pandemic, companies relied on traditional product forecasts based on historical purchasing data. But with the pandemic, people realised there was a shortage of goods and materials, and quickly started buying in bulk and changing when they purchased seasonal goods – causing manufacturers and distributors to scramble to meet orders for everyday items from toilet paper through to bicycles and lumber.

Lack of supply chain transparency and insight: a remote supply chain footprint meant many companies lacked clear visibility into production and delivery timetables. This was further exacerbated by deep dependencies on and poor communication with Tier 1 suppliers.

Employee health and safety: pre-pandemic, concerns over employee safety on factory and warehouse floors was a growing concern. With 34,900 people per year suffering severe injuries in forklifts accidents, moving materials was already a risky business. Couple this with the unknowns around coronavirus transmission and people’s fears over losing their jobs due to sickness or time off – health and safety became a key focus in manufacturing, warehouses, and factories.

These challenges are heightened further by the unknowns around how and when we will return to business as normal.

Will consumers return to in-person shopping and traditional buying habits? What is the most effective way to move goods from manufacturing to the customer? Who will staff new regionalised manufacturing and distribution centres? How can companies affordably build resiliency into operations? What is the best way to bring technology and automation into manufacturing and warehousing?

Trends in Manufacturing, Distribution, and Supply Chain Management

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a wholesale change in how companies operate. This is a good thing. While change at any level is difficult, the changes spurred by the global pandemic have added stability to a precarious supply chain and allowed companies to strengthen their operations at all levels from design, production, packaging, and distribution.

Ideas or processes that were in the periphery pre-pandemic have now become key benchmark trends for companies who recognise that returning to the before times is not a viable option:

Additive manufacturing: 3D printing or additive manufacturing makes it easier for companies to affordably produce and deliver parts on an as-needed basis. This shift in manufacturing can decrease warehouses stocked with outdated parts and reduce dependencies on suppliers to manufacture and deliver parts.

Automation, robots, and AMRs: people are seeing first-hand how AMRs and automation can alleviate labour shortages, mitigate workplace health and safety concerns, and reliably manage same-day delivery expectations. AMRs give companies the freedom to reallocate skilled workers to more value-added tasks while reducing safety liabilities and increasing throughput efficiency.

Reshoring: while domestic manufacturing was moved offshore in an effort to combat production and labour costs, this has ultimately proved to be a costly strategy. Reshoring of manufacturing not only protects against future shutdowns, but it also allows companies to meet consumer demands for buying local. The ease-of-access to technologies such as AMRs, automation, and robots means companies can return to domestic manufacturing while keeping costs down and increasing skilled jobs for employees.

Co-located manufacturing and distribution: the essence of business is quick, accurate and efficient operations. And this speed and accuracy of material transport and storage is even more critical with the shift to ecommerce and same-day delivery. Companies who can bring manufacturing and distribution together and bring 3PL to distribution centres can adjust their business models to meet production volumes and delivery demands.

Diversified supply chains: continuity, flexibility, and agility are not buzz words for companies who want to remain in business – they underscore the need for change in supply chains. A diversified supply chain takes advantage of the latest in automation, IoT technologies, digital communication, omnichannel purchasing and sales, and AI to maximise efficiency and resiliency.

AMRs, Automation, and the Continuity of Business

COVID-19 reminded us of the importance of business continuity and recovery. New business demands require new ways of operating and thinking about how work gets done.

And this is where and how AMRs help companies adjust to the new normal, and remain prepared for what comes next.

Mitigating labour shortages: AMRs allow you to free employees from repetitive and risky tasks, allocating them to value-added and more interesting roles, thereby improving job satisfaction, reducing injury risk, and creating a more efficient workplace.

Improving workplace health and safety: AMRs mean fewer vehicles, predictable paths, robust safety features, easier-to-manage social distancing, and less human error.

Increasing throughput efficiency: eliminate delays in replenishing raw materials, prevent costly bottlenecks, and increase operational and throughput efficiency.

Better material transport and storage: optimise how you move materials from manufacturing to distribution and delivery with intelligent AMRs designed to automate high payload material movement and work collaboratively with employees,

Improved product quality: eliminate human errors that cause damaged goods, unnecessary waste, and misplaced inventory.

AMRs and automation alone do not solve the very real-world challenges in supply chains, manufacturing, and distribution.

However, robots and technology do make it easier for companies to react, respond, and remain viable in the face of new business demands, economic uncertainty, and shifting consumer expectations.

Your operational needs today are very different from what they were in January 2020.

One of the core principles of an effective AMR deployment is remaining flexible and being able to grow and adapt as needed. And this holds true for every aspect of your manufacturing, distribution, and supply chains operations.

Click here to learn how AMRs and automation can help you build a more resilient and responsive operation for today and tomorrow.

Mike Burke elected president of AMHSA

Posted on by David Priestman

At its recent AGM, members of the Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA) voted to appoint Mike Burke as the organisation’s President.

Having spent over 40 years in the material handling industry, Burke has wide experience and has served as AMHSA’s Vice President since 2019. During this time, he has worked alongside outgoing President, Scott Chambers, in successfully raising the association’s profile and increasing its membership.

“I’m delighted to take over the reins as AMHSA President at an exciting time for the automated handling sector,” commented Mike Burke. “I’m proud of what AMHSA members have achieved over the past year, with automation helping to keep supply chains operating during the pandemic. With huge demand for intralogistics automation in the post-Covid and post-Brexit economy, AMHSA has a key role to play in enhancing recruitment, training and standards in order to meet this demand.”

A Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Mike Burke is passionate about improving professional recognition for colleagues in the automated handling industry. “This will be a key area of focus during my two-year term of office as AMHSA President,” said Mike. “I believe that we need to improve recognition for the engineers in our industry and that AMHSA can be instrumental in building partnerships with other professional bodies to achieve this.”

Mike began his career with racing car gearbox manufacturer, Hewland Engineering, where he started an HNC in Mechanical Engineering. He then moved to Cable Belt, bulk conveyor specialist for the mining industry, where he completed both the HNC and a degree in Mechanical Engineering alongside his role as a Project Manager. Mike has spent the past 35 years at E&K Automation Ltd (previously Indumat) as Project Manager, then Managing Director for seven years and now in the role of Operations Director.

Outside of business Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, children and three granddaughters, as well as cycling and DIY projects around his Edwardian home.

Asda pioneers use of ‘smart sorting robots’

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global leader in robotic automation solutions, has collaborated successfully with Asda Logistics Services (ALS) and AMH Material Handling to launch an intelligent sorting system in Asda’s distribution centre. The system will provide Asda with the capacity to support continued growth across its parcel collection and returns business.

Sixty robots have been placed into the supermarket’s South Elmsall, West Yorkshire distribution centre, allowing 2,000 parcels to be sorted each hour with 99.99% accuracy through its Asda toyou service.

The installation marks the first time the technology has been used in this way in the UK, supporting an increase in capacity for Asda toyou’s services as demand for parcel collection and returns services has grown at pace in the last 12 months. With the pandemic causing a change in customer behaviour and an uplift in the number of purchases made online, Asda toyou experienced significant growth through the provision of a reliable, convenient returns solution that allowed shoppers to combine activities in a single trip to an Asda store.

At the same time, Asda toyou has expanded the number of retailers it supports. Over 100 are now available via the service, which has seen it process 65% more returns than at the start of 2020.

The project was implemented by AMH Material Handling, a top provider of material handling solutions, and Geek+. By integrating S20C robots into the existing ALS sorting system, it has provided Asda toyou the ability to respond to rapid changes in order volume and continue to provide excellent services during periods of peak demand.

Lit Fung, VP and Managing Director of Geek+ APAC, UK and Americas, says: “We’re proud to see AMH leverage our sorting system to support a leading retailer like Asda with the flexibility and efficiency needed to expand its Asda toyou business. The process for intelligent sorting is pretty straightforward. By letting a network of AMRs transfer incoming parcels from workstations to cages of corresponding destinations, we can improve accuracy and efficiency while also making the process more ergonomic for warehouse employees. With no need for fixed platform development, it makes it easy for Asda to scale operations in line with business growth. All they have to do is adjust the number of robots and destination chutes.”

Adrian Carter, Sales Director at AMH Material Handling, says: “We had a lot of fun delivering the solution as Geek+ sorting robots are a highly flexible technology that can be integrated and customized to work with existing equipment on customer sites, such as conveyor belts or other robots. It provides us a powerful tool for optimizing sorting operations according to the specific needs of each customer. And, as an integrator, AI-enabled robotics solutions add a new dimension to our services as it allows us to continuously support our customers according to changes in business needs.”

Jon Parry, Vice President of Asda Logistics Services (ALS) at Asda, says: “We’re pleased to be one of the first retailers in the UK to pioneer the Geek+ S20C robots in our National Sortation Centre working in collaboration with partners at Geek+ and AMH.  The robots work alongside our colleagues, enabling us to drive greater efficiencies at times of peak demand, which have helped to boost the number of parcels we’re now able to sort through our Asda toyou service.”

Geek+ and AMH started to cooperate in 2019 when AMH recognized Geek+ robotics solutions provided industry-leading technology. Today, the two work closely together to provide clients all over the UK with great automation solutions.

 

 

Robotics firms collaborate over cobot

Posted on by David Priestman

Waypoint Robotics has teamed with Productive Robotics to make mobile manipulation accessible for small to mid-sized companies.

Combine the easiest to use, most capable omnidirectional autonomous mobile robot with the simplest and most flexible 7-axis collaborative robot arm, and it has never been easier or more cost-effective to deploy a mobile manipulator for manufacturing and logistics applications. Workers can use this mobile platform to perform repetitive tasks such as machine tending, quality assurance sampling, material replenishment, packaging, and many others, so they can focus on the high-skilled jobs for which they are uniquely qualified.

“The fast and intuitive set-up process of the Productive Robotics OB7 perfectly aligns with our Vector AMR that is built for factory and warehouse workers to deploy in minutes rather than hours or days,” said Waypoint Robotics CEO & Co-Founder Jason Walker.  “And the extraordinary dexterity of Productive’s 7-axis cobot arm coupled with Waypoint’s omnidirectional mobility opens up endless possibilities for workers to automate repetitive tasks and maximise robot utilisation throughout their facility, ”

What makes it so easy? Waypoint Robotics’ Vector AMR and Product Robotics’ OB7 have been elegantly integrated so set up and operation is fast, simple, and intuitive with both machines seamlessly working together as they perform tasks.

The mobile manipulator has a flexible design and interconnected safety systems that allows for either robot to be the primary controller of a particular operation. The Vector’s omnidirectional mobility enables fast, precise docking in any direction or orientation so the OB7 can perform accurate and precise grasping or picking tasks, taking full advantage of the cobots’ 7 degrees of freedom (7 DOF) and superior dexterity. Power management is also a breeze because the Waypoint EnZone provides on-demand energy and opportunity charging for longer run times.

“We have made cobots simple and more accessible for businesses, large and small, across all industries,” said Zac Bogart, President of Productive Robotics. “Working with Waypoint Robotics in developing this mobile manipulator platform will open the door for factories and warehouses to innovate, optimise productivity, and gain a competitive advantage with cobots.”

The ease-of-use, seamless integration, and cost effective design of Waypoint Robotics’ Vector AMR and Productive Robotics’ 7-axis cobot, make this powerful autonomous mobile manipulator a real automation option for workers in businesses of all sizes. A mobile manipulator this accessible is an industry first.

 

SVT Robotics launches robotics integration software

Posted on by Keith McKinley

SVT Robotics, a disrupter in the industrial robotics space whose software accelerates and simplifies deployment of robots, is introducing its Softbot Platform at ProMatDX April 12-16 with live demonstrations of the software integrating automation in a matter of minutes. This new launch allows companies to expedite the adoption and deployment of robotics within their warehouses and manufacturing facilities in a matter of days or weeks, rather than months or years.

The Softbot Platform launch positions SVT as an industry leader, as it now provides the only fully agnostic solution for rapid integration between enterprise systems and industrial robotics and across automation technologies. The innovative platform helps companies quickly adopt robotics into their manufacturing facilities or supply chains with fast, flexible and simple solutions that can easily be deployed without the need for custom code.

“SVT’s singular focus is to develop products that make rapid integration and deployment of robot technology quick and easy,” said Michael Howes, co-founder, COO and CTO of SVT Robotics. “We are thrilled to announce our Softbot Platform that will enable our customers to launch complex, multisystem deployments in rapid time.”

In addition to warehouses, distribution centres and e-commerce fulfilment providers working to boost automation investments to optimize operations and address social distancing, the healthcare industry is also adopting robotics within hospitals and medical facilities during the pandemic to try and curb transmission of the virus.

“COVID-19 has reshuffled the supply chain landscape and created additional challenges for companies to keep their employees safe,” said A.K. Schultz, co-founder and CEO of SVT Robotics. “Automation and robotics help reduce contact between humans and boost safety within facilities. We foresee continued growth within the industry.”

SVT Robotics was founded in 2018 launching their proprietary robotic software technology, which served as the foundation for the new Softbot Platform. The company has been riding a surge of interest in robot deployments from both investors (the company received $3.5 million in seed funding in May 2020) as well as industry executives including former Walmart Inc. executive Cameron Geiger, a global leader in sourcing, supply chain and IT, who is serving as Company Advisor.

LAC to represent Exotec in the UK

Posted on by David Priestman

LAC, a leading provider of conveyor systems and automation solutions, has formed a new partnership with Exotec to sell and promote the revolutionary Skypod System in the UK. Headquartered in Lille (France), Exotec is a robotic solution manufacturer that specialises in the logistics sector, helping online retailers and brands to meet the ever-demanding challenges of a seamless customer experience.

The Skypod System comprises a light robot with a payload of 30kg which can move in 3D and access high-level bins. This allows the operator to remain stationery and work from one pick/load position while the robot carries out the requested tasks. The robot locates itself in a map of the warehouse using laser-scanning technology.

This innovative solution offers scalability, allowing a business to start with an initial installation to meet its start-up needs at a reasonable initial investment and then expand the solution as the business grows.

Exotec says the Skypod System is also unique in its use of robots, not only to move totes around at floor level, but also to travel up the rack to store or retrieve, negating the need for complex conveyor systems. Data is received from the WMS outlining a list of preparation requests with a given priority. Its responsibility is to get them out of the system into preparation containers, as fast as possible, with respect of priority constraints.

CEO of LAC, Chris Unwin, said: “I’m delighted to secure this partnership with Exotec, which will not only further enhance our business capabilities but also contribute towards the goal of growing market share within the logistics sector.”

LAC plans to open a demonstration centre in the UK in 2021, which will enable customers to experience a fully functioning automated warehouse solution in person. The centre will distribute real products and feature pick stations, multiple rack combinations, conveyor systems, AMR solutions and the Skypod System.

Universal Robots develops cobot interface for Siemens

Posted on by David Priestman

Universal Robots has formed a new partnership with Siemens’ TIA (Totally Integrated Automation) that will allow the integration of Universal Robots cobots into complex machine and manufacturing environments.

This new interface will facilitate a seamless integration process for machine builders and system integrators. Universal Robots’ cobots will become part of the Simatic Robot Library within Siemens’ TIA environment through an interpreter interface planned to be completed within the fourth quarter of 2021.

Mark Gray, Country Manager UK&I said, “Machinery and plant engineers as well as manufacturers with large production facilities will benefit from our cobots‘ TIA integration. Thanks to this new interface, they will soon be able to apply our cobots’ functional diversity, precision and repeatability within complex production lines, benefitting from all aspects of digitalised automation – from digital planning and integrated engineering to transparent operations.”

The holistic TIA Portal engineering framework supports users in planning extensive manufacturing automation projects. In November 2020, Siemens presented the Simatic Robot Library as an addition to this application: The comprehensive ‘robot library’ allows users to program their cobots directly within the TIA Portal via a unified user interface and to include them in their planning, which will now also include UR’s collaborative robots, greatly extending the range of companies benefitting from the cobot technology: Across industries, users will now encounter the UR cobots in the context of complete plant engineering solutions.

“We are welcoming Universal Robots as a new partner just in time for the start of the new Simatic Robot Library’s piloting,” says Tobias Fengel, Marketing Manager at Siemens Digital Industries. “We are delighted that we will soon be able to offer our clients a forward-looking solution together with the cobot market leader.”

Thanks to the TIA portal’s integrated design, users can now independently implement the UR cobots within major production lines and teach them functions such as jog mode or path point creation. The new comprehensive library allows users to download programming examples and use them to control the UR cobots.

“Our cobots have always been characterised by their intuitive handling,” Mark Gray explains. “Their integration into the TIA portal via the Simatic Robot Library now accelerates their integration and implementation into complex production lines. It also makes it easier to combine the UR cobots with technologies like Edge data analyses or cloud services and include them in the monitoring of plant conditions.”

Fives’ AMRs for small parcel sortation

Posted on by David Priestman

GENI-Ant, Fives’ AMR-based smart parcel sorter, has been further improved to increase sortation flexibility and efficiency.

Fives developed its ultimate parcel sorter based on AMR, named GENI-Ant, to help CEP operators solve how to sort non-compatible or irregularly shaped parcels automatically.

In 2019, the GENI-Ant was showcased at Parcel + Post EXPO in Amsterdam for the first time.

In 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic had a major impact on consumption patterns. The demand for home deliveries reached new record levels and the small parcel volumes increased up to unprecedented peaks.

As a result, distribution centres have been receiving more and more shipments consisting of irregularly sized or poorly packed items that are difficult to handle automatically, such as polybags, padded envelopes and other odd-shaped packages, most of them containing just one small item.

In this context, Fives’ teams worked hard to develop further the GENI-Ant design by integrating specific innovations and improvements

Most innovative sortation features

The GENI-Ant incorporates two independent sorting units, each of which can be equipped with different types of belt, depending on the product to be handled.

Beside the flat belt conveyor, Fives included a new belt model specially designed for unstable, fragile items and products with uneven surfaces: this innovative belt features edges and gauges that prevent objects from moving or rolling, offering total control on the item during transportation and sortation.

Different available heights have been added: the robot can be from 800 mm up to 1.3 m high to allow discharging into containers and chutes or onto horizontal conveyor belts, depending on the application.

The fleet runs throughout the operational area at different speeds on the straight and in curves, from 1.5 m/s up to 2.5 m/s.

Differently from the AGVs that are guided by cables, magnetic strips or sensors installed inside the warehouse, every GENI-Ant robots can move completely autonomously in a dynamic environment. Using Wi-Fi communication, the system software manages their navigation, defines where each of them should speed up or slow down and calculates the most efficient travel path, according to the position of the vehicle, the nearest loading area, and the assigned destination.

And above all, AMRs never stop, due to the automatic battery recharging system ensuring continuous operation, with no need to arrange a dedicated charging station.

The main benefits for the customers are:

  • Can be effectively used to reduce manual material handling
  • Can be installed in restricted space and adapted quickly to any change
  • Can be moved very easily, as it is not a permanent equipment
  • Can be used as a stand-alone system or added to an existing equipment
  • Can be re-configured simply by changing the layout, without stopping the sortation operations
  • Can be scaled up easily by adding vehicles or destinations, with no disruption
  • Can be combined with Fives’ automatic induction lines

Initial investment

The initial investment can be adapted according to the current layout and performance requirements and then increased at a later stage, also on a RaaS (Robot as a Service) basis.

“Our AMRs are built to be deployed quickly, thanks to standardised vehicles, proven software modules and seamless integration. The system occupies a very low footprint and is therefore the optimal solution for many applications in both large-sized hubs and small distribution centres, such as post terminals, express courier depots and 3PL warehouses,” concluded Fabio SACCHI, New Application Director at Fives Intralogistics SpA.

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