Overview Of Material Handling Robotics: Game Changer in Manufacturing Logistics

 

Material Handling Robotics

With advances in robotics technology, material handling robots are revolutionizing manufacturing logistics operations around the world. These robots are specifically designed to assist humans in transporting, storing, packaging and preparing raw materials, work-in-process inventory and finished goods in factories and warehouses.

Types of Material Handling Robots
There are several common types of Material Handling Robotics used in industry today:

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
AMRs are self-driving robots that can navigate factory floors and warehouse aisles without needing guidance wires or magnets embedded in the floor. Using algorithms, sensors and vision systems, AMRs can locate themselves and detect people or obstacles to safely move materials around. Popular models include LocusBots, Fetch and Brain Corp robots.

Articulated Robotic Arms
Articulated robotic arms resemble the human arm, with joints that allow flexibility of movement. In materials handling, these robots are commonly used for tasks like palletizing, depalletizing, picking and packaging. Examples include robots from KUKA, ABB, Universal Robots and Rethink Robotics.

Cartesian Robots
Cartesian robots use a gantry system of sliding components to move materials in a precise x, y, z coordinate system. They are well-suited for applications involving high payloads or bulky loads that need to be lifted, lowered or transported point-to-point. Yaskawa, Kawasaki and FANUC make popular Cartesian robot models.

Collaborative Robots (Cobots)

Cobots are robotic arms designed to safely work alongside human workers. Using sensors and controls, cobots can detect a person and stop or adjust its motion as needed to avoid collisions. Popular cobots include offerings from Universal Robots, ABB, Techman and Franka Emika.

AGVs and ATVs
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and automated transfer vehicles (ATVs) are self-driving platforms that operate within confined paths or routes to move payloads from one station to another. Models vary in loading capacity and include powered pallet trucks, unit load vehicles and tuggers. Common brands are JBT, Seegrid, Scott and Dematic.

Advantages of Material Handling Automation

 Implementing material handling robotics delivers several competitive advantages for manufacturers and logistics operations:

Increased Productivity and Throughput
Robots work non-stop in three shifts a day to move materials faster than human workers can while maintaining consistent repetition of tasks. This allows for higher productivity and throughput.

Improved Accuracy and Quality
Robots eliminate errors from fatigue or distractions and work with precise consistency. They also handle payloads and position items with repeatable accuracy to reduce defects and improve quality.

Enhanced Safety
Robotic technologies eliminate risks to humans from physically demanding, monotonous or hazardous material handling tasks like lifting heavy loads. This significantly improves overall workplace safety.

Reduced Labor Costs
Robots require no overtime pay, vacations or benefits. While upfront investment is needed, robots deliver ongoing cost savings versus human labor over the long-run through 24/7 operation.

Optimized Warehouse and Factory Space
Robots efficiently utilize vertical space with lifting capabilities. They also deliver optimized workflows, shorter batch runs and less wasted motion versus manual material movement methods. This maximizes available floor space.

Applications of Material Handling Robotics

Material handling robotics are deployed across diverse applications in manufacturing industries:

Automotive Plants
Robots move parts bins, sub-assemblies and finished vehicles between workstations on the assembly line with precision and speed. They also handle duties in body shops, paint shops and parts warehouses.

Electronics Factories
Cobots and AGVs transport semiconductor wafers and circuit boards neatly between production processes. Robotic arms precisely place electronic components on boards during assembly.

Food and Beverage Facilities
Robots help increase quality by hygienically conveying food products, cases and containers. They efficiently handle fulfillment, order picking, palletizing and depalletizing of goods in cold storage environments.

Warehouses and Distribution Centers
Autonomous mobile robots transport inventory between racks, delivery locations, shipping areas and more. Robotic arms and lift trucks boost productivity in tasks like putaway, replenishment, order picking and item consolidation.

Material handling robotics offer unprecedented value for functions across manufacturing supply chains. As enabling technologies advance, the potential for robotics to optimize logistics operations continues growing exponentially each year. Increased intelligence, sensing, precision and safety are making these systems more versatile than ever before for diverse applications handling everything from tiny electronics to bulk commodities. Robotics will undoubtedly play a transformational role in shaping the future of manufacturing and supply chain automation.

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