Materials handling innovations lift industry expectations to new heights
The constant movement of goods and materials through industrial plants and warehouses requires reliable, nimble technology designed for safety, efficiency, and accuracy. From robots and cobots to forklifts and conveyor systems, upgraded solutions and new automation opportunities continue to emerge to strengthen material handling and intralogistics processes.
Robotic systems
Precise robot and cobot solutions elevate material handling safety and performance. Dynamo autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) from Addverb transport materials and goods using natural navigation capabilities and can carry loads of up to 5,500+ lb. For applications that require repetitive material movement, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are available. A new generative AI assistant for its Zippy sorting robot AGVs facilitates their maintenance by translating verbal requests into commands understood by the AGV.
The company tailors its material handling solutions to the unique requirements of its customers. “By integrating robotics, intelligent software, and real-time data insights, we empower businesses to optimize operations, increase safety, and deliver their products to their customers more efficiently,” says Sriram Sridhar, CEO of Addverb Americas.
The new MC600 from Mobile Industrial Robots (MIR) unites its MiR600 AMR base with UR20/UR30 cobot arms from Universal Robots. Easy to program and deploy, the MC600 helps to automate workflows such as palletizing, box handling, and machine tending, including heavy payloads up to 1,322 lb (600 kg).
“These mobile cobots also include AI powered by NVIDIA Jetson, enabling intelligent 3D object detection to ensure proper pick-up of the materials as well as safety as the robot moves between its stations,” notes Kenneth Bruun Henriksen, global head of MiR Go Ecosystems. The MC600 likewise benefits workers who no longer need to strain to pick up and place heavy objects.
Lexium SCARA from Schneider Electric is a new high-speed, ultra-compact, selective compliance assembly robot arm (SCARA) designed to automate repetitive tasks in manufacturing, warehousing, material handling, and related applications. It integrates into unified machine control systems, and it can be virtually designed and tested before implementation when combined with Schneider’s EcoStruxure Machine Expert Twin digital twin solution.
“This simple, compact solution saves space, and its seamless integration saves commissioning time, while its 40% longer z-arm stroke delivers one of the largest work areas available, compared to similar products,” observes Gary Zeppetella, senior offer manager for motion and robotics offers at Schneider Electric.
Conveyor belts
Advanced conveyor systems are essential in industries such as food processing. The patented KleanTop PacTitan Pro Metal Belt from Regal Rexnord is now available with a 5/8-inch belt pitch option with an increased open area to reduce material build-up. Designed to last “up to six times longer” than the average metal conveyor belt, the belt has dedicated sprocket lanes to reduce bending and distortion within the belt, and it is fully reversible to address wear patterns.
“With the PacTitan Pro, teams spend less time on maintenance and repair, buy fewer replacement belts, and get more production hours out of the day,” says Natalie Gray, U.S. strategic account manager for food and beverage at Regal Rexnord.
Forklift technologies
Key advancements transform forklift operations. The lithium-ion powered E80XNL from Hyster Company is an 8,000-lb capacity electric forklift that offers comfort, energy efficiency, and fast recharging. Compared to lead acid batteries, the legacy electric option, lithium-ion batteries provide consistent power until depletion, require no battery maintenance, and offer a smaller, lighter form factor.
Global Product Manager Josh Eby says the Hyster E80XNL is “specifically designed to take advantage of the slimmer form factor of its lithium-ion battery pack, creating greater space in the operator compartment.” The forklift is also available with Hyster Reaction, the company’s new lift truck operator assistance system for demanding applications that supports site safety processes with forklift proximity sensors, hydraulic function control, and dynamic operator alerts.
The updated ContiPT18 forklift tire from Continental Specialty Tires has new tread-wear indicators (TWIs) visible on both sidewalls of the tire to simplify monitoring of tread depth. The indicators help to maximize tire utilization and increase operating safety by enabling timely replacement decisions.
The tire’s two-stage design promotes high mileage and low rolling resistance. “Thanks to the modern tire compounds we use, heat generation is low while wear resistance is high,” observes Matthias-Stephan Müller, product manager for material handling tires at Continental Specialty Tires. Additionally, ContiPT18’s specific tread pattern optimizes grip and traction, even with heavy loads.
