With its FastBots, SSI Schäfer presented an alternative to complex roller conveyor systems at LogiMAT. These mobile robots should replace roller conveyors between storage systems and order picking stations in automated warehouses. Tests and simulations have shown that, through a combination of central control and floor navigation, the FastBots can achieve a capacity of 10,000 doubles per hour. SSI Schäfer speaks of a gamechanger in the market for high-throughput storage and order-picking systems.
Until now, warehouse fitters use roller conveyors to transport stock bins from a miniload or shuttle system to order picking stations. The larger the storage system and the greater the number of order picking stations, the more roller conveyors are needed for this purpose. Because it must be possible to pick from every stock bin from every aisle at every order picking station, a spaghetti system of roller conveyors quickly emerges. Complex control software is needed to feed the stock bins at the right time and in the right order.
"The rigid roller conveyor systems in highly automated warehouses no longer meet the highly dynamic requirements of many companies. They need more flexible processes, scalable systems and the ability to adapt their systems to changing conditions at any time. But above all, companies need future-oriented solutions that offer long-term investment security," explains Elmar Issing, senior vice president solutions architecture & innovations at SSI Schäfer.
Gamechanger in intralogistics
The throughput of 10,000 doubles per hour can only be achieved by centrally controlling the mobile robots via an intelligent system and precise navigation. The FastBots find their way via sensors at the bottom that recognise the floor pattern. A scale model at the LogiMAT shows how the robots drive around fine curves, stopping occasionally to avoid collisions. Because the robots are easier to implement than roller conveyors, the implementation time of automated storage and order picking systems decreases significantly. An additional advantage: the robots require less space than traditional roller conveyors.
Mauro Lunardelli, head of the logistics solutions business unit at SSI Schäfer, welcomes the new development: "Our system solution offers maximum industrial performance for a wide range of stored goods with minimum error rate, maximum transparency and customisable warehouse layout. Thanks to its high flexibility and scalability, it grows with the requirements of dynamic markets - a real gamechanger that will significantly improve our customers' intralogistics."
