Supply chain automation continues to evolve, offering warehouse managers more ways to enhance efficiency. MODEX 2024 was among the trade shows so far this year showcasing how technologies such as shuttle systems and mobile robots can improve material handling operations, increase worker safety, and mitigate labor shortages.
As operators try to do more with less, robotics and digitalization can help, but replacing manual tasks with automation is not enough. Facilities need to be safe for workers who still work alongside technology to avoid downtime and other isues.
Also, businesses need to determine the best mix of human staffers and machinery that has become more capable in the past several years. MODEX was an opportunity to see how far technology has come, as well as what it has yet to do. Here are more highlights.
HWArobotics launches customizable shuttles
HWArobotics exhibited its automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). It offered system availability of more than 99%, plus accurate and scalable order fulfillment. excellent reliability, accuracy and scalability, The Singapore-based company said its customizable shuttle robots can deliver high throughput for a wide range of industries and can be deployed quickly.
The SLS300 series can deliver high efficiency and up to 24 hours of continuous operation, according to HWArobotics. Capable of speeds of up to 4 m/s (8.9 mph) and acceleration of 2 m/s (4.4 mph), the SLS300 has single machine capability of up to 120 boxes an hour.
The SLS400 variable tote shuttle system can mix and store containers of different sizes and can be configured to meet different efficiency requirements.
The SLS600 3D tote shuttle system meets the needs of low-traffic environments, such as spare parts, publishing, and e-commerce sites. It has excellent warehouse sharing capabilities as shuttles can realize any change of lane operation.
The FPSS1500 series pallet shuttle is designed for warehouses and distribution centers. The four-directional system is an ASRS for pallet handling and storage, with CE and UL certification.
“The recent deployment of HWArobotics shuttle systems by Darwynn demonstrates how our technology can be up and running quickly and effectively, automating and optimizing logistics and storage processes,” stated Sky Chen, general manager at HWArobotics.
Lenze enhances conveyor systems
Hamelin, Germany-based Lenze displayed a pair of products designed to improve material handling efficiency.
The o450 magnetic motor-driven roller (MDR) is designed to simplify material handling infrastructure while improving the power of conventional motorized rollers and reducing energy consumption up to 30%. The o450’s simplified design eliminates gearing and integrates the power electronics internally, reducing variants by up to 85%.
The i550 motec frequency inverter is intended to optimize conveying operations and uses integrated regenerative braking functionality. This allows regenerated energy to be fed back to the main power supply, rather than burning it off using a braking resistor, said Lenze. It can work in challenging material handling conditions and has minimized variances for open- and closed-loop control.
Both were displayed during a demo that showed the products’ efficiency and speed. Riley Schroeder, industry manager for material handling and logistics at Lenze, summed up the company’s approach to MODEX.
“End users want to increase throughput, reduce energy consumption, and improve safety,” ” he said. “Our products that can help them achieve those goals. They can also allow OEMs to reduce installation time, reduce variants, and innovate their existing solutions. A true win-win.”
ORBIS offers reusable for cost savings
ORBIS Corp. has long emphasized integrated reusable packaging, and it displayed OpteBulk as part of its sustainability strategy. The OpteBulk container is made of plastic corrugate and is an alternative for storage and distribution of raw material, assemblies, and finished goods.
The Oconomowoc, Wis.-based company also said it offers transportation, packaging and warehouse cost savings as a reusable collapsible container.
“A plastic container can be used repetitively within the plant,” said Mike Ludka, senior product manager at ORBIS. “The challenge with plastic is the sides are tight, and it doesn’t quite have the flexibility corrugated cardboard does.”
He said the company has spent a decade researching the challenge and have manufactured its packaging to be consistent throughout so it won’t cause jams or slowdowns, which is a critical concern for many companies in material handling and warehousing.
The container also includes a reusable plastic pallet, sleeve, and topcap. The sleeve is made from a tri-laminated structural core material with bi-directional strength. The clamshell collapse kits all components together for easier reverse logistics, said ORBIS.
Ludka said the company has been working to reduce its carbon footprint while giving material handling and warehousing companies a full solution that cuts downtime.
Raymond builds automated stacker for material handling flexibility
The Raymond Courier 3030 Automated Stacker is designed to improve flexibility, scalability, and reliability. The Courier is built with a chassis and mast and uses vision-guided technology that requires no additional infrastructure.
Enhancements to the automated stacker include improved motion control, object-detection coverage, speed, and lane-staging capabilities.
- Increased travel speeds from 3 to 4 mph.
- Improved secondary object-detection system from 2D light detection and ranging, or lidar, to 3D lidar. This increases visibility for overhead, cantilevered and overhanging obstructions, which are common in warehouses.
- Low-clearance arch allows the lift truck to work in applications that operate under low overhanging structures.
- Reverse object-detection sensor detects objects when traveling in the fork-first (reverse) direction.
“Another critical feature of the 3030 is that it requires no modifications to existing facility infrastructure,” said Martin Buena-Franco, automation solutions marketing manager at The Raymond Corp. “This is a lift truck that can be operational on Day 1, providing for a fast return on investment.”
The Greene, N.Y.-based company is trying to provide systems for engineers and companies, regardless of where they are in the facility or what their roles are, said Mike Field, president and CEO of Raymond, in a video interview at MODEX.
VisionNav unveils trailer loading, unloading system
VisionNav Robotics has launched its VNST20 PRO trailer truck loading and unloading system. It combines the autonomous forklift VNST20 with an advanced robot control system (RCS) for fleet scheduling, as well as 3D lidar simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) deep learning positioning technology for greater accuracy.
The Atlanta-based company said it designed the VNST20 PRO specifically for trailer trucks, automating manual handling tasks and doing them in less than an hour. The proprietary system delivers increased space utilization, high scenario adaptation, high compatibility, and reliable solution redundancy to provide fast, safe, and efficient cargo handling, asserted VisionNav.
“We want to be clinical and pick the right projects and solutions for each company.” said Kyle Chan, senior manager of sales and business development manager at VisionNav Robotics.
In addition, VNST20 PRO can turn 180 degrees with three degrees of variability. It can handle wheel-open and wheel-closed pallets, cages, and even wrapped pallets, Chan said.
This is part of a larger effort by VisionNav to tackle labor shortages and elevate on-site worker conditions, he said. The robot can handle a strenuous and difficult task in less than an hour, faster than what most humans can do, said Chan.
Material handling is constantly improving
Materials handling in logistics and warehousing are changing as automation continues to take a greater role. More tasks are being run by autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and other machinery to relieve human workers.
It’s all about efficiency and improving a supply chain that was tested and pushed to the breaking point a few years ago. Manufacturers and their customers are better prepared and are working to make the day-to-day tasks less challenging.