Robotics and Automation PDF

Chapter-04 Robotics, Automation and Vehicles Chapter Objectives 1- Warehouse Robotics definition 2- Types of Warehouse Robotics 3- Benefits of Warehouse Robotics Warehouse Robotics A warehouse robot is an autonomous machine designed to replace or augment human effort in a factory environme...

Chapter-04 Robotics, Automation and Vehicles Chapter Objectives 1- Warehouse Robotics definition 2- Types of Warehouse Robotics 3- Benefits of Warehouse Robotics Warehouse Robotics A warehouse robot is an autonomous machine designed to replace or augment human effort in a factory environment as a form of automation. Robots are two-part system — there's the machine itself, which is specialized for a single task, and there's the software that controls it. Most common robots used in warehouses and distribution centres: Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) Palletizers Conveyor Systems Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) Sorting Robots Packing Robots Pick and Place Robots Inventory Robots Automated Labelling Robots Automated Stretch Wrappers Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) Material handling systems or load carriers that travel autonomously throughout a warehouse, distribution center, or manufacturing facility, without an onboard operator or driver. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) Type of robot that can understand and move through its environment without being overseen directly by an operator or limited to a fixed, predetermined path. Palletizer Robots Type of palletizer that employs a robotic arm to pick, orient, and place individual products and arrange them into a single stack of load. Conveyor Systems Common piece of mechanical handling equipment that moves materials from one location to another. Conveyors are especially useful in applications involving the transport of heavy or bulky materials. Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS) Computer-controlled systems for automatically placing and retrieving loads from defined storage locations. Sorting Robots Type of stationary or mobile robots that enable fast and efficient sorting of goods/parcels based on end destination, categorisation and more. Packing Robots Packing robots are used in warehouses and distribution centres to automate the process of packaging items into containers such as boxes, bags, or envelopes. They have a wide range of uses, including e-commerce order fulfilment, retail packing, and shipping. Pick and Place Robots Enables companies to use automated solutions for lifting objects from one location and placing them at other locations. Using human workers on these tasks can be wasteful because it’s repetitive tasks and doesn’t require mental abilities. These robots are often equipped with sensors and vision systems to lift objects from moving conveyor belt. Inventory Robots Robots that consistently, efficiently and accurately capture and report key inventory data insights. Not only does automated inventory management deliver better inventory visibility, it also drives more strategic inventory decisions that directly impact your sales and customer experience. Automated Labelling Robots Apply multiple labels to a single or multiple sides of the product. Automated Stretch Wrappers Employed to wrap pallets of items in stretch film to keep them safe while in transit or storage. The pallet is then mechanically wrapped with stretch film by an arm that rotates up and down and around the pallet.  Benefits of robotics and automation in warehouse 1- Increase productivity and accuracy in inventory management 2- Reduce physical and mental strain on warehouse workers 3- Reduce order picking time, processing times and associated costs by reducing travel time through the warehouse. 4- Sorting by robots that typically have conveyors, arms, cameras, sensors, and algorithms that enable them to correctly identify items and send them to the right bin or storage area. 5- Packing by robotics include automated systems such as cartonization software and bagging machines that help speed up packaging operations. 6- Transportation by carting items from one end of the warehouse to another or outside of warehouse. 7- Replenishment where monitor inventory levels send out alerts when inventory counts drop below the minimum threshold.