NEW LOGISTICS PRODUCTS & SERVICES
EDITED BY DIANE RAND rollouts
SPOTLIGHT ON ….
AUTOMATION
Vertical storage controller:
Hänel Storage Systems, a manufacturer of vertical automated
storage and retrieval systems (AS/
RS), has introduced its latest controller option for use with its
Rotomat vertical carousels and
Lean-Lift vertical lift modules.
The advanced Hänel MP 14
controller features a 12-inch high-resolution touchscreen display
and a number of other upgrades for extraordinary functionality
and ease of use, according to the manufacturer. The controller’s
12-inch screen is an improvement over previous Hänel controllers, the largest of which has an 8.5-inch screen.
The MP 14 controller can catalog 10,000 to 100,000 different
types of items, depending on the microprocessor installed, and
allows data to be entered at the same time. It can also intelligently search for available storage locations within the vertical unit so
it ensures that every inch of space is utilized, the company says.
All Hänel controllers allow customers to interface vertical
storage units to their own enterprise resource planning systems.
(Hänel, www.hanel.us)
Robot-operated bagging system: Automated Packaging
Systems has partnered with ABB, an industrial technology company, to integrate its Autobag 500 bagging system with ABB’s
YuMi robot. YuMi is a dual-armed robot designed to work side
by side with humans.
The YuMi can assist with assembling and packaging small parts
and kits on the Autobag 500.
Using advanced motion control
and camera-based parts location,
the YuMi can pick and place products into pre-opened bags, which
are then automatically sealed and
dispensed by the Autobag 500.
YuMi has two magnesium arms
that flex on seven axes to mimic human-like movements with
spatial efficiency. The company says the robot takes up no more
space than a human operator does and is precise, with 0.02 mm
accuracy and speeds of 59 inches per second. The robot includes
built-in sensors that instantly halt all motion if the unit bumps a
person or other object, which eliminates the need for cages and
safety zones.
The Autobag 500 bagger is an automatic filling and sealing
machine capable of cycling at rates of up to 100 bags per minute.
(Automated Packaging Systems, www.autobag.com)
Tote retrieval system: Vecna Robotics, a maker of robotic material handling solutions, has introduced a mobile robot
designed to navigate traditional warehouse shelves and pick
boxes and totes. The new Tote Retrieval System (TRS) is not only
able to pick boxes from different levels of shelving but can also
place the boxes and totes on the company’s autonomous RC20
conveyor mobile robot, Vecna says.
The TRS was engineered to autonomously navigate down narrow aisles and place cases, totes, and other items on shelving as
well as retrieve them from storage. The system also can pick from
or place items on conveyor belts or other mobile robots. The system identifies items by reading bar codes on the shelved boxes.
With an optional 3-D vision system, the TRS can pick unlabeled
boxes as well.
Vecna Robotics’ TRS was designed to integrate with a warehouse management system to retrieve and store items as needed
to support warehouse operations. As with all systems within
Vecna Robotics’ next-generation fleet of mobile robots, the TRS
is designed to operate safely around humans, eliminating the
need to segregate human and robotic order fulfillment activities
in different parts of the warehouse.
The system is available for preorders and will be available mid-year. (Vecna Robotics, robotics.vecna.com)
Automated palletizing: Material handling solutions specialist Intelligrated offers a wide range of automated palletizing
solutions through its Alvey brand. The machines are designed
to increase throughput, improve ergonomics, and reduce labor
costs, the company says.
Customers can choose several different
solutions based on their needs. The Alvey
900 series high-speed palletizers are ideal
for package handling. The Model 910
offers throughput rates of up to 125 cases
per minute (cpm). For more demanding
applications, the Model 942 features two accumulation zones
and offers throughput rates of up to 160 cases per minute.
With three-layer accumulation zones, the Model 943 generates
throughput rates in excess of 200 cases per minute.
Also included in the Alvey line are the 950 series hybrid in-line
palletizers that incorporate one or more robotic arms for flexible,
gentle handling; the 800 series mid-speed palletizers, designed
for easy operation and maintenance in a compact footprint; the
780 series compact mid-speed unit, engineered for single or
multiline applications; the 750 hybrid palletizer with high-level
infeed, capable of speeds of up to 50 cpm; and the lower-speed
floor-level 680 series case palletizers.
The line also features robotic palletizers that can create mixed-load pallets and handle single cases, rows, or entire layers. Alvey
robotic palletizing machines feature robotic arms from multiple
manufacturers, including Motoman, Kuka, and Fanuc. These
modular solutions are created with integrated software and
machine controls, including PLC-based solutions, and feature
compact footprints. (Intelligrated, www.intelligrated.com)
