Innovation makes Exotec robotic system even more flexible and scalable

After 2 years of area examinations, Exotec has actually introduced a brand-new variation of its storage space and order selecting system before lots of consumers. The primary development is that the boosted and a lot more small Skypod robotics are made use of not just to carry storage space containers, however additionally to feed, release, barrier and kind delivery boxes. In doing so, the French warehouse operator contributes to the versatility and scalability of the brand-new generation of robot-driven storage space and order selecting systems.

By Marcel te Lindert

Firms significantly choose robot storage space and order selecting systems such as those from AutoStore and Exotec. The factor is the versatility and scalability of these systems, which is a whole lot more than that of typical miniload and shuttle bus systems. Any individual intending to raise their storage space or order-picking capability just requires to put added racking or release robotics, without needing to purchase added roller conveyors, lifts and cranes and without needing to make significant modifications to the control system.

With the new Skypod system, Exotec increases versatility and scalability by utilizing the storage space system not just as storage space for storage space containers however additionally as a barrier for delivery boxes. Due to the fact that the brand-new robotics can knock senseless delivery boxes at the correct time in the best order– ‘best sequencing’ is what Exotec calls it– a standard stringent sorting system has actually ended up being repetitive, according to the French storage facility driver. In the brand-new Exotec system, including added robotics is usually adequate to raise arranging capability.

Robot-to-robot selecting

Storage space systems for storage space containers do sometimes obtain made use of for buffering and arranging delivery boxes. The truth that Exotec is currently marketing this as a common idea is distinct. Central to this idea are the workstations that allow robot-to-robot selecting. For each and every choice, 2 robotics come to the workstation all at once, one with a storage space container and one with a delivery box. The driver needs to not do anything greater than select the best variety of things from the storage space container and put them in the delivery box, after which the robotics leave once more. According to Exotec, driver efficiency depends on 50 percent greater than previously.

This idea additionally supplies benefits past the 4 wall surfaces of the storage facility. Clients can expand their order till the really last minute. To this end, an added delivery box can be established, filled up and contributed to the various other delivery boxes that have actually currently been prepared previously within 5 mins. Due to the fact that the robotics can knock senseless these delivery boxes in any kind of order, it is feasible to match the piling pattern on pallets or roll containers specifically to the rack strategy in a store, for instance. This conserves time when removing racks.

Even more area to manoeuvre

To make the brand-new idea feasible, Exotec needed to customize both the robotics and the racking. The brand-new robotics are a lot more small than their precursor, permitting them to drive below as opposed to around the shelfs. To this end, the lower half-metre of the shelfs is no more made use of for storage space. ‘Perfect sequencing is just feasible since the robotics currently have a lot more steering room. Numerous simulations have actually revealed that efficiency would certainly be insufficient without these alterations. The robotics would just enter each various other’s method,’ head of R&D Louis Esquerre-Pourtere informed the launch in Paris.

Additionally, the robotics currently have a various navigating system. The very first generation of robotics made use of LiDAR, a sort of radar system that made use of laser light to check the environments. ‘Due to the fact that the robotics currently drive in between the uprights of the shelfs, the margins are smaller sized and we require a navigating system with higher precision. That’s why we currently utilize a grid of lines,’ Esquerre-Pourtere describes. ‘An extra benefit is that we require less aisles to get to all storage space places. In addition, since the robotics are a lot more small, the continuing to be aisles are much narrower. Because of this, storage space thickness depends on 30 percent greater than previously.’

Not so independent

Exotec’s mobile robotics are not as independent as the much-hyped term independent mobile robotic (AMR) recommends. The guarantee of AMRs is that they autonomously make their method with the storage facility and one way or another come to the best location. Nonetheless, robot-to-robot selecting and best sequencing need limited, centralised control of the robotics. Just after that can it be assured that the robotics with storage space containers and delivery boxes come to the best area at the correct time. ‘We currently had that main control in the previous system. To deal with an order successfully and appropriately, that system additionally needed the supply of the storage space containers at the correct time in the best order,’ states Esquerre-Pourtere.

Exotec utilizes a fleet monitoring system that tracks and regulates the whole fleet of robotics in genuine time. This system thoroughly figures out the path each robotic takes a trip. ‘This is needed to stop robotics from hitting each various other and to make certain that supply containers and delivery boxes come to the best area at the correct time,’ describes Esquerre-Pourtere. ‘We are discovering whether utilizing expert system can aid enhance the control of the robotics, however until now without success. The benefit of the classic formulas we presently utilize is their predictability. In the exact same scenario, they constantly cause the exact same end result, that makes it simpler to evaluate and deal with troubles.’

Black box

For the overarching Stockroom Administration System (WMS) that business utilize, the Exotec system works as a black box. At many, the WMS recognizes which supply container or delivery box remains in which area, however has no impact on the incoming, storage space and outgoing treatments made use of. Exotec maintains the system shut, and Esquerre-Pourtere does not see that altering whenever quickly. ‘The system is developed to reduce the overall variety of activities. A WMS may recommend placing rapid joggers near to the workstations, however that would certainly suggest placing that supply container back in the exact same area too. In our system, a robotic places that supply container in a totally free area as close as feasible to the following supply container to make sure that the robotic drives around vacant as low as feasible. With the included benefit that robotic website traffic is additionally dispersed throughout the system.’

Exotec’s head of R&D does not think his firm is missing out on possibilities by maintaining the system shut. ‘Our system is currently running in 130 storehouses with around 10,000 robotics in total amount. We utilize the exact same software application all over to manage the robotics. And we have actually optimized our formulas for every application. This suggests that all storehouses take advantage of all the optimizations we have actually transformed the years. Because of this, we are persuaded that we have the very best control system for our robotics.’

Microfiltration centre

Exotec has actually bewared to present the brand-new idea. The brand-new system is currently functional in 20 storehouses worldwide. Among these is E. Leclerc’s microfulfilment centre in Seclin, a rock’s toss from Exotec’s head office in Lille. This French food seller has actually been utilizing the system for 2 years to accumulate on the internet orders and buffer them till consumers pertain to select them up. Formerly, consumers in some cases needed to wait 15 mins prior to they might fill their grocery stores, currently it is 5 mins at many.

E. Leclerc has the ability to refine some 1,200 orders a day with the brand-new system, 50 percent greater than previously. The micro-fulfilment centre has twelve pick-up terminals, where grocery stores are currently provided using roller conveyors. This not just minimizes the physical stress on staff members, however additionally provides even more time to help consumers. Partially as a result of much shorter waiting times, this has actually caused a six-fold boost in the variety of brand-new consumers.

View Exotec’s YouTube video clip here.

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