❱❱ Modern collaborative robots are
providing flexibility across multiple industries including distribution
yond the factory floor Enabling robots to palletise mixed loads has added much
needed flexibility. ABB’s mixed load palletising system for example, enables building of mixed load pallets based on customer requirements. Fully automated, it removes people from the dull and sometimes dangerous job of lifting heavy pallets while still following process rules – taking dimensions, weight, fragility and routing into account when calculating each position on the pallet. Robotic mixed load palletising systems also provide reliable
performance. For example, during the countdown to Christmas many distribution centres can expect a surge in orders. Accommodating the broadest range of products with rapid changeover capabilities, robotic mixed load palletising systems are a forward-thinking approach to improving productivity and reliability during seasonal peaks and troughs.
DIGITISING OPERATIONS Meanwhile, over 5,000 miles away in Hangzhou, logistics specialist Cainio, is digitising operations to meet the goal of achieving 24-hour delivery in China. Comprised of several stations, Cainio has already invested in a robotic automated
storage and sorting system to efficiently deliver millions of goods. At the front of the system is an automated storage and retrieval
cylinder shelf where goods are temporarily stored upon entering the warehouse. When online orders are received, the system sends an instruction to an ABB IRB 6700 robot which retrieves the corresponding bins and sends them on to the picking station. Here, two IRB 1200 robots integrated with 3D vision and vacuum grippers count the orders, pick the goods and place them on to the operating line for sorting. At the end of the system, two Flexpickers sort the goods
according to each order’s requirements. The robots scan the barcodes, identify the goods and order case and put them into the corresponding case to complete the process. Compared with others, this flexible logistics system is twice as
fast. The robots have also led to lower costs and reduced errors while doubling order processing efficiency, putting Cainio right on track to achieve its goals. Equally, collaborative robots can offer smaller distribution
centres the flexibility to manage shifting demands, such as low-volume/high-mix products. Offering enhanced safety and
December 2019 /// Testing & Test Houses /// 11
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