AGVs and robotics
AGV in full swing
Experts see a trend towards automated production processes and the networking of components in intralogistics. In this environment, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are steering a stable course: the autonomy movement has picked up speed. This is the result of a survey conducted by materialfluss among leading manufacturers.
If you want to make future-proof investments in the Industry 4.0 environment, there is no way around automated guided vehicles," says Markus Kölsch, Head of Corporate Communications at the MLR Group. "The demand for AGVs is booming and we have significantly expanded our capacities over the past two years." As a traditional AGV manufacturer, MLR serves customers whose specific storage and transport situations require individually configured vehicles and customized systems that cannot be implemented with standard automated vehicles.
"The demand for driverless transport vehicles is booming."Markus Kölsch Head of Corporate Communications MLR Group
At LogiMAT, MLR presented a platform truck that has been specially designed for the automotive industry. Markus Kölsch: "The vehicle transports components, engines or entire car bodies in pre-assembly and can be used there as an alternative to assembly line production." A lifting table is integrated into the vehicle, which can be extended up to a height of 818 millimetres. This allows workers who are assembling the transported loads to individually set a working height that suits them. "The vehicle is particularly suitable for confined working environments. The rotating differential drive with two movable drive units enables small steering radii and parallel offset travel movements," explains Kölsch. The vehicle components are controlled by a Siemens PLC. The controller, which is widely used in the automotive industry, has the advantage that additional tasks, monitoring or control functions can be implemented quickly and easily, even with the car manufacturer's own personnel.
"Excess demand since 2017"
Ronald Kretschmer, Director Marketing and Sales at EK Automation, also sees a positive development in this area. "The demand for automated guided vehicles has been increasing significantly for around five years now, and this industry has even seen a noticeable surplus in demand since 2017," he outlines. The sector is currently developing very well, as industrial and logistics companies worldwide have a great need for intelligent and networked material flow solutions for the automated and precise transportation of goods. "Many of our customers believe that autonomous transport robots will be the predominant means of transportation in the future," says Ronald Kretschmer. The reason for this is obvious: only they can ensure the necessary flexibility in the material flow in intelligent factories and intralogistics environments. Kretschmer continues: "As the market leader in Europe, we are very well positioned with our innovative transport solutions to successfully master the demanding challenges on the road to Industry 4.0."
"The industry is currently developing very positively."Ronald Kretschmer Director Marketing and Sales EK Automation
EK Automation presented the Fast Move multifunctional transport platform at LogiMAT. According to the company, this ensures optimal supply and disposal of production processes in Industry 4.0 environments and, as a scalable technology platform, forms the basis for a completely new generation of future transport robots. "It requires no maneuvering space and can perform any movement in the area thanks to its scalable and low-maintenance chassis concept," explains Ronald Kretschmer. The Fast Move is powerful and can move payloads of up to 2,000 kilograms at a speed of up to two meters per second. "The system is a cost-effective, high-tech solution suitable for industrial use for a wide range of transport tasks," says Kretschmer.
Economic basis is decisive for use
Bo-Göran Eriksson also sees a positive development in his industry. "There is currently a worldwide interest in AGV systems," says the Managing Director of SVGCE Schwerlast-Transportsysteme GmbH. However, the expectations of users are often unrealistic and in some cases there is no economic basis for the sensible use of the vehicles. In general, the trend is towards individual system solutions that can be flexibly adapted to rapidly changing requirements. "Our customers usually require AGVs to be integrated into existing buildings. They are looking for systems that are easy to operate and can be put into operation quickly," he explains. In addition, users increasingly tend to take part in commissioning so that they can carry out program adjustments themselves at a later date.
"Our customers usually require AGVs to be integrated into existing buildings."Bo-Göran Eriksson Managing Director SVGCE Schwerlast-Transportsysteme GmbH
According to Bo-Göran Eriksson, SVGCE Schwerlast-Transportsysteme has over 40 years of experience in this field. "Our strength lies in combining different means of transportation such as air cushions or wheels with various control, safety and navigation systems," he explains. This means that his company can always offer optimized, individual solutions that are precisely tailored to customer requirements.
According to Finnish company Rocla Oy, automated guided vehicles are paving the way for improving customer processes in Industry 4.0 environments. "We have been pioneers in the automation industry for 35 years and were the first to introduce series-produced AGVs to the market. We continue to focus on customized solutions tailored to customer needs," says Niels Hanssen, responsible for automation sales in German-speaking countries. Rocla intends to consistently expand its global automation business by setting up continental hubs and local sales partners. Another focus is the development of a new, digital AGV concept under the name "Easy AGV". "This puts us in a position to deliver fully scalable automation solutions for our customers worldwide," says Hanssen. Last year, Rocla presented the innovative dynamic AGV software "Rocla Route Optimizer" with great success. "With this automation solution, we increase our customers' material handling performance by up to 20 percent. The system optimizes the routes used by the AGVs and thus ensures a smooth flow of traffic," explains Niels Hanssen. The software finds the fastest routes, making all manual traffic rules superfluous. Traffic jams are now a thing of the past.
"Our automation solution increases material handling performance by up to 20 percent."Niels Hanssen Sales Automation in the German-speaking region Rocla
Rocla currently offers a product range with four basic models that can be designed in different versions. The ATX version is suitable for standard load carriers such as pallets or pallet cages weighing up to 1,600 kilograms, while the ART model is available as a push mast vehicle for loads also weighing up to 1,600 kilograms. The AWT variant is recommended for variable load carriers with different modules and a weight of up to 3,500 kilograms. The AWTh is available as a heavy-duty model up to a maximum of 10,000 kilograms.
Intra says: Highly exciting
You can count yourself lucky if you have automated guided vehicles in your portfolio - both as a supplier and as a customer. Because the desire or need for flexibility in intralogistics concepts can be solved very well with these small, intelligent and easily scalable things. Researchers are even dreaming of swarms and artificial intelligence, which AGVs or AGVs (see above) are developing. I see it in more practical terms: an automation solution is conceivable wherever a person has had to regularly move goods from A to B in buildings or warehouses and, thanks to the expertise of the providers presented here, can also be implemented.
You might also be interested in
Outdoor AGV networks production and logistics
An international company in the plastics industry is automating its intralogistics at its German site with a solution from ek robotics. A specially developed vehicle model from the Out Move series, an outdoor AGV, is being used.
read more...Transport systems for automated material flow
The Leo transporters from Bito make it easier for users to get started with the automation of material processes, which is possible from 20,000 euros. The system is a flexible all-in-one complete solution that is ready for immediate use and can be...
read more...Automated logistics for the university hospital
As part of the new construction of the University Hospital of Reims (CHU), France, the hospital has taken a number of steps to improve the needs of its patients and the working environment of its employees.
read more...K.Hartwall: Topping-out ceremony for the German site
The topping-out wreath was raised at the new building in the TIP Innovationspark Nordheide in Buchholz near Hamburg on February 27: The new K.Hartwall plant will comprise approx. 3,500 m² of hall space and around 2,000 m² of office and social areas.
read more...Noerpel Group tests driverless high lift trucks
The Noerpel Group has tested driverless pallet trucks in one of its two logistics facilities in Giengen. During a four-week trial, two autonomous systems were used to transport goods within the warehouse.
read more...Supply and disposal of printing machines by AGV
Numerous companies rely on AGVs in intralogistics to increase efficiency and meet challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers. One such company is GGP Media GmbH in Pößneck, Thuringia.
read more...Sophisticated automation: AGV and cobot combined
On behalf of Krefeld-based Saurer Technologies, the engineering team from Project Automation & Consulting developed a solution for production logistics that combines AGVs and cobots.
read more..."Herbie" robot in the Körber portfolio
Carrybots, a specialist in mobile robotics, is a new partner in the Körber supply chain ecosystem. The aim of this collaboration is to strengthen the position of both companies in intralogistics. Herbie" enables robot-based goods-to-person processes.
read more...Demand-oriented load carrier transport
Efficient logistics with AGVs
Environmental awareness and the careful use of resources are becoming increasingly important. With advanced solutions, plant operators can significantly improve the ecological footprint of logistics processes.
read more...