The opportunity to consider adopting automation technologies becomes more compelling with the new generations of equipment offering the prospect of reduced costs, increased operational efficiency and productivity to smaller operations.

Should you be considering your automation journey now?

The challenges faced by the logistics industry are evolving and demanding innovative solutions to meet demand and service levels in this fast-paced environment. The potential of adopting such technologies could be transformative to businesses. There have been many developments in free path systems such as AGVs, AMR, Robots or Cobots that work with operatives and the systems that control them.

Robots and Cobots

In this blog, we consider another potential opportunity – robots and cobots that can help with manual operations, material handling and other tasks to improve productivity. They can be part of automated systems or standalone using specialised software to do repetitive warehouse operations.

In recent years, much work has gone into the development of robots and cobots that have both increased their capabilities and reduced their cost and complexity. The developments include improved grippers and pick up devices, improved vision systems to “see what they are doing” and sensors not just for positioning but also for detecting operatives, supported by developments in AI allowing them to learn.

Robots have been used in manufacturing and end-of-line activities for years, but have now become much more flexible, being able to handle different products and determine what to do with them, for example, building multi-SKU pallets, picking and putting products into cartons and totes. The big fenced-off space-hungry enclosures of the past are not necessary with the right sensors and control systems.

Cobots are designed to work harmoniously with humans to assist with repetitive tasks. They are secure, adaptable, quick to implement, and simple to programme. Some are using AI software to network and to learn how to handle different shapes rather than having to be programmed or taught.

This is not a long established technology and many opportunities are there to be explored. The separate worlds of robot and operative are giving way to co-operation with the ability of cobots to work with operatives and each other. A cobot can for example:

• Pick and place the easy stuff in a kit while an operative does the awkward picks to complete a kitting operation
• Hold and present items and boxes to an operative to pick from or put into
• Work with another cobot – one holding and one working

Health and Safety

Health and safety is always a consideration, but Cobots are designed and set up to have the ability to safely work with operatives – they stop if an operative intrudes into their operating “space”.

Increased Efficiency

The introduction of pick and place robots and cobots reduces direct labour. Many operations use goods to man systems which reduces the walking / travelling time of a conventional pickface set up but requires manual picking at the workstations. To improve efficiency and productivity Cobots can be integrated into the picking operation. The repetitive and simpler tasks can be handled by automation, leaving the more complex tasks and dealing with awkward shaped product and “uglies” to be handled manually.

Scalability

The operation can be easily scaled up by adding additional Cobots as required. They are integrated with their own control systems, which can interface with most systems used to manage the warehouse.

 Summary of Benefits

Adopting automation into your operation could have a transformative impact in your operation with significant benefits in increased productivity and efficiency by:

• Faster and consistent execution of routine and repetitive tasks.
• Improved productivity
• Reduction in error rates
• Freeing up operatives to concentrate on value added tasks

The Human Element

The adoption of autonomous vehicles should not be about robots replacing humans. It should be seen as a collaborative approach where by humans coexist with Cobots. The Cobots help eliminate fatigue taking on the demanding and repetitive tasks. They increase productivity, for example, in the packing and unpacking of boxes, increasing speed and accuracy. They are scalable, thus providing further efficiency in the future.

LPC has worked with many businesses to improve their operational efficiency and productivity by considering robotics in existing operations and new facility designs. If you are at the start of your journey of considering automation, contact LPC here.