Constant technical progress means that there is a continuous search for new solutions to eliminate tedious human labor. This is particularly true for transport tasks during mass production, while simultaneously increasing efficiency and accuracy of operations, while maintaining a high degree of safety. New solutions using high technologies are being developed. Such activities are also observed in logistics.
Five companies collaborating at a truly highly developed technological level have developed a robot and an automatic industrial vehicle (forklift truck) that work closely together – Fig. 1, but not necessarily. These are solutions that can revolutionize the logistics of flexible production and distribution processes through the gradual automation of the supply chain, until it is fully achieved.
Recent extensive cooperation between five global companies: ABB Flexible Automation, NDC Netzler & Dahlgren Co AB, SICK, Linde/Indumat, and Nordwaggon may have far-reaching and difficult-to-predict consequences for global logistics.
ABB specializes in solving problems using flexible industrial robots. Currently, the company is developing a family of stationary palletizing robots, i.e., those that lift goods and then form palletized load units. Sales of robots in this market segment show an increase of approximately 30% in turnover and continue to show an upward trend. The robots have minimal software and lifting equipment that allows for the manipulation of loads not exceeding 90 kg.
The companies NDC and Linde/Indumat have developed a new type of trucks that can operate without a driver and adapt to the work. However, these are not conventional AGVs (Automated Guided Vehicles) with traditional control and movement systems. These trucks use so-called Teach-In technology. It allows trucks equipped with it to be “taught” to lift (pick up) and move empty pallets, formed palletized load units, and even goods. Essentially, the truck’s microprocessor control and navigation system is programmed once based on strictly established procedures. How this happens in a simplified way is shown in Fig. 2. Subsequently, the trucks are able to perform the programmed activities automatically. The realization of an automatic work cycle is possible because trucks using Teach-In technology are equipped with two different navigation and control systems, which are shown in Fig. 3. These systems can be defined as:
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upper – Lazerway system supplied by NDC
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lower – SICK system, ensuring safety and precision of work.
The article comes from the magazine “Logistyka” 3/2002.