Strategic Partnership Drives Automation Innovation

Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, is leveraging SEER Robotics’ technology to transform its logistics and production processes through a strategic partnership. With a strong presence in energy efficiency and automation, Schneider Electric continues to push the envelope in smart manufacturing by integrating intelligent robots and advanced logistics management systems into its global operations.

Schneider Electric: A Pioneer in Smart Manufacturing

Schneider Electric’s commitment to innovation has earned several of its global production facilities the prestigious title of “Lighthouse Factories,” which are recognized as the benchmarks of the industry. These factories stand as a testament to Schneider Electric’s unwavering dedication to advancing automation and smart manufacturing.

But the journey to becoming an industry leader doesn’t end with technology—it’s about how they leverage that technology to improve operational efficiency and safety across their operations. That’s where SEER Robotics enters the picture, providing vital support in optimizing logistics and warehouse automation.

Driving the Future of Logistics

Since 2021, Schneider Electric has been gradually introducing SEER Robotics’ smart logistics solutions into its core factories in Shanghai, Wuxi, and beyond. These solutions are designed to optimize production workflows, drive efficiency, and reduce operational costs, ensuring that the company maintains its competitive edge.

In 2024, Schneider Electric took another significant step forward by partnering with SEER Robotics at its U.S. manufacturing site in Tennessee. The collaboration introduced SEER Robotics’ Laser SLAM-powered intelligent forklifts and the M4 Smart Logistics Management System to optimize warehouse operations. These technologies are enabling Schneider Electric to streamline its warehouse processes, reduce manual labor, and enhance overall productivity—empowering them to maintain a smooth flow from semi-finished product lines to storage.

Smart Solutions for a Smarter Future

Here’s a look at the key benefits of this smart logistics solution:

1. Laser SLAM Navigation for Greater Flexibility

SEER Robotics’ forklifts are equipped with Laser SLAM navigation technology, which ensures that they can operate in diverse and dynamic factory environments without the need for extensive site modifications. These autonomous forklifts boast an impressive repeat positioning accuracy of up to ±5mm, allowing them to perform precise tasks, such as moving goods across the factory floor, with ease.

2. Enhanced Safety with Refined Obstacle Avoidance

Safety is paramount when it comes to human-robot interaction. At Schneider Electric’s U.S. site, where smart forklifts frequently interact with human-operated ones, SEER Robotics’ system takes safety to the next level. The obstacle avoidance system was specifically optimized to meet the challenges of the warehouse environment, improving the accuracy of obstacle detection and ensuring that both workers and robots can operate safely side by side.

3. Interconnected Systems for Efficient Operations

The M4 Smart Logistics Management System integrates fleet management, task management, and warehouse management into a seamless, all-in-one solution. By linking the intelligent forklifts with the roller production lines, it ensures real-time coordination and boosts operational efficiency across the entire factory floor. This level of interconnectivity is transforming how Schneider Electric manages its production processes.

4. Adaptive Solutions for Non-Standard Applications

Industrial environments often come with unique challenges that require tailored solutions. SEER Robotics meets this challenge with standardized products that can be quickly adapted to different operational needs. At Schneider Electric’s U.S. facility, the forklift’s routing system was dynamically adjusted to optimize the movement of goods. Additionally, special attachments were added to pallets to allow seamless integration with robots and other smart devices, ensuring maximum efficiency across operations.

A Vision for the Future of Smart Logistics

This collaboration between SEER Robotics and Schneider Electric is more than just a technological integration. It’s a vision for the future of smart logistics. With advanced robotics and intelligent systems working in harmony, Schneider Electric is setting the stage for a new era of manufacturing that is efficient, safe, and adaptable to the evolving needs of the industry.

As more companies look to integrate smart solutions into their operations, Schneider Electric’s approach—backed by SEER Robotics’ innovations—demonstrates how technology is helping businesses not only meet today’s challenges but also prepare for the future.

New Collaborative Robots at MODEX

Schneider Electric, a global leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, today announced the release of two new Lexium cobots (collaborative robots) at MODEX 2024; the Lexium RL 3 and RL 12, as well as the Lexium RL 18 model coming later this year. Schneider Electric innovations in robotics and motion will be on display at their booth, #B7232. From single-axis machines to high-performance multi-axis machines, the comprehensive Lexium line enables high-speed motion and control of up to 130 axes from one processor for precise positioning to help solve manufacturer production, flexibility, and sustainability challenges.

Schneider Electric goes beyond robots to provide fully integrated automation systems – digitally designed from concept to operation and maintenance. Integrating robots into the machine control solution through the EcoStruxure architecture enables collaborative data flow from shop-floor to top-floor, by connecting smart products, robots, controls, software, and services. Controlled by Modicon motion controllers, which unify PLC, motion, and robotics control functionality on a single hardware platform and integrated into of EcoStruxure Machine Expert software, it offers a complete robotic solution.

“As US manufacturing increases, the demand for smart machines is growing and customers are requiring robots with digital twin capabilities that validate machine performance to help them quickly increase production consistently, efficiently, and sustainably,” said Christine Bush, Robotics Center of Excellence Leader, Schneider Electric. “We are partnering with our customers to understand their challenges and pain points, then responding with complete, customized automation solutions – from power products and HMIs to PLCs and robotics – to simplify the process and meet their needs.”

Compatibility with EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin, a digital twin software suite that creates digital models of real machines, allows for virtual test strategies and commissioning, as well as shortened factory acceptance testing (FAT). Digitizing these processes can reduce time-to-market by up to 50% and commissioning time by up to 60%. A 20-40% savings in investment costs can also be realized due to faster time-to-market.

Collaborative Robots

Lexium cobots are part of a full line of robotics and automation solutions developed to meet manufacturer needs across industries, including warehouse/logistics, life sciences, consumer packaged goods, and beyond. Benefits of Lexium robotics and motion solutions include:

• Fast deployment: Built on open automation standards and protocols, cobots offer flexibility, scalability, and easy third-party equipment integration. They can be easily applied to existing or new production lines in a variety of different industries.

• Streamlined integration: Enhanced computing power, open software, and networking technologies facilitate quicker assembly, installation, and maintenance of robots. A centralized architecture with a unified programming platform using open standards promotes seamless interoperability among automation systems, machines, and robots.

• Consistent output: Designed to handle repetitive tasks without errors or distractions, cobots can maintain Overall Equipment Effectiveness while manufacturing higher volumes of quality goods over shorter periods 24/7 without fatigue. This produces a consistent output with little variability over a given production batch.

• Workplace health and safety: Cobots perform well in harsh environments and can handle riskier operator tasks involving heavy weights to reduce accidents and injuries.

Amidst the rapid growth of US manufacturing, companies are increasingly seeking digital, efficient, and sustainable solutions to meet expanding output demands. Embracing Industry 4.0’s digitization, with advancements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, IoT, and digital twins, has become imperative to drive operational excellence. Software solutions are also playing a critical role in empowering manufacturers to innovate rapidly, reduce commissioning time, and stay competitive in this evolving landscape. As the industry transitions to Industry 5.0, the Lexium motion and robotics offers are poised to redefine efficiency and enable personalized autonomous manufacturing.

Read more…

Robotics and Automation Specialists Sign Long-Term Partnership

 

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