Robotics & Automation News

Market trends and business perspectives

storage

CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

by

CP Technologies, a provider of ruggedized computers, is claiming to have become the “first” rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration. 

The company’s president and CEO, Mike McCormack, gave Robotics and Automation News an interview some time before the latest development in which he explained that the company’s background in the military is useful for the industrial and commercial markets. (See video below.)

For over 20 years, CP Technologies – formerly Chassis Plans – has been designing and manufacturing computers, servers, LCD displays, storage arrays, and human interface devices to defense and industrial customers. [Read more…] about CP Technologies claims to be ‘first’ rugged computer manufacturer to expand into full rack integration

SSI Schaefer automates central warehouse for Rossmann

by

The chemist chain Rossmann has commissioned SSI Schaefer to automate its central warehouse in their Polish subsidiary in Łódź.

SSI Schaefer will equip a 10-aisle miniload with more than 100,000 bin storage locations operated by Schaefer Miniload Cranes.

In addition, it will install a custom-fit pallet and bin conveying system, introducing 84 ergonomic work station systems and the logistics software WAMAS,

Rossmann’s Polish central warehouse supplies two regional warehouses and over 1,300 shops in Poland. The product range comprises up to 21,000 items, depending on store size.

[Read more…] about SSI Schaefer automates central warehouse for Rossmann

Swisslog wins two large orders in Scandinavia and Southeast Asia

by

Swisslog has been commissioned to carry out the comprehensive automation of the Coop warehouse in Langhus.

The delivery includes a high-bay pallet warehouse with six Vectura stacker cranes and a conveyor system, which are controlled by the intelligent Swisslog software SynQ.

 The new distribution centre will be in full operation at the beginning of 2021.

[Read more…] about Swisslog wins two large orders in Scandinavia and Southeast Asia

Yale unveils dual-mode pantograph robotic forklift truck

by

At ProMat 2019, Yale showed its industry-first dual-mode pantograph robotic lift truck.

The truck is capable of autonomously depositing and retrieving loads from locations as high as 30 feet and reaching into double-deep storage.

The high-lifting capability of the reach/forklift truck makes it suited for distribution centres facing pressure to maximise vertical storage space, says the company.

[Read more…] about Yale unveils dual-mode pantograph robotic forklift truck

Sick demonstrates ‘smart logistics’ system for warehouse automation

by

Sensors supplier Sick showcased a new “smart logistics” system at the recent ProMAT Show, one of the world’s largest material handling exhibitions.

Sick says its system demonstrates how to obtain greater efficiency throughout supply chain operations.

Sick presented its new innovations under the banner of “Logistics Gets Smart”, and says they are designed to provide “highly efficient solutions for intralogistics applications”. [Read more…] about Sick demonstrates ‘smart logistics’ system for warehouse automation

NextShift Robotics receives patent for vertical lift capability in robotic picking

by

NextShift Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robot solutions for automated order fulfilment and warehouse materials management, has been granted a second patent, US10214354B2, “Method and System for Automated Transport of Items”.

The patent pertains to operating a robotic picking system in which the containers to be picked are positioned on the shelves and within picking stations.

The patent covers the ability of the robot to raise itself vertically to access shelving of different heights in order to pick the appropriate container from a range of shelf heights and storage system configurations.

[Read more…] about NextShift Robotics receives patent for vertical lift capability in robotic picking

Smart tool dispenser systems finding their way into industrial settings

by

Thomas Dicks, head of e-business and marketing at Lerbs
Thomas Dicks, head of e-business and marketing at Lerbs

Smart automatic vending machines are becoming increasingly widely used in industrial settings, according to Bedrunka+Hirth. 

The German company supplies what it calls “intelligent consumable and tool dispensers” which have hi-tech features such as ID card and PIN code verification access management.

B+H says the machine knows exactly who is allowed to receive a measuring device and when it must be calibrated. It logs the number of times when a milling cutter was taken out and knows when the stock is running out.  [Read more…] about Smart tool dispenser systems finding their way into industrial settings

Big changes from a small package for hydrogen storage

by

hydrogen

Sometimes, you have to go small to win big. That is the approach a multilab, interdisciplinary team took in using nanoparticles and a novel nanoconfinement system to develop a method to change hydrogen storage properties.

This discovery could enable the creation of high-capacity hydrogen storage materials capable of quick refueling, improving the performance of emerging hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.

Sandia National Laboratories, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), the National Institute of Standards and Technology and Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, collaborated on the research, which was published Feb. 8 in the journal Advanced Materials Interfaces.

The work was funded by the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Fuel Cell Technologies Office and the Boeing Co. [Read more…] about Big changes from a small package for hydrogen storage

Yusen Logistics awards Swisslog automated warehouse contract in Singapore

by

Yusen Logistics, a provider of contract logistics and air and ocean freight forwarding, has selected Swisslog warehouse and distribution Solutions to deliver the “innovative AutoStore Automated System” in Singapore.

The autonomous robots, which sit on the top of an aluminium grid as part of the innovative storage system, is expected to go into operation in 2017.

This light goods automatic storage and retrieval system (AutoStore) investment is a result of Yusen Logistics’ insight into the philosophy of the shared economy and the need to manage rising business costs in the current global, lower-growth economy. [Read more…] about Yusen Logistics awards Swisslog automated warehouse contract in Singapore

Akasol launches ‘pioneering’ new customisable battery technology for large vehicles

by

akasol unternehmen-ueber-akasol

Engineering company Akasol says it has developed a pioneering lithium-ion battery systems for series production commercial vehicles

High-performance, customisable batteries for demanding applications in commercial vehicles have traditionally been very costly, but Akasol is presenting the world premiere of a promising new solution at this year’s IAA Commercial Vehicles (Hanover 22–29 September 2016): the AkaSystem OEM.

The compact, modular lithium-ion battery system is particularly well-suited for use in commercial vehicles such as buses, lorries, construction vehicles or other specialised vehicles.

Experts at the German “pioneer of e-mobility battery storage solutions” claim they have succeeded in integrating standardised PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) modules from large battery manufacturers like those used in passenger car production to enable them to meet the demanding requirements of commercial vehicle drives.  [Read more…] about Akasol launches ‘pioneering’ new customisable battery technology for large vehicles