Trending Now

Building a Resilient Supply Chain with Advanced Predictive…

New Articles

Seegrid Unveils AMR Interoperability

learning seegrid
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Technology, Warehousing

Seegrid Unveils AMR Interoperability

Leave a comment

Leading Autonomous Mobile Robot Provider Debuts AMR Interoperability at the World’s Largest Manufacturing and Supply Chain Trade Event

Seegrid Corporation, the leader in autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) for material handling, today announced expanded capabilities of their Palion AMRs. To fulfill more applications for more customers and foster AMR interoperability, Seegrid Palion Lift and Palion Tow Tractor now work in combination to load and unload carts with no human intervention.

Seegrid’s newest AMR, Palion Lift, brings together Seegrid’s breakthrough 3D vision-based navigation technology with best-in-class situational awareness capabilities to automate pallet movement. Palion Lift autonomously transports material up to 3,500 pounds throughout customer operations, precisely and securely retrieving and placing palletized goods at heights of up to six feet for a complete, end-to-end solution for pallet movement.

The Palion Tow Tractor autonomously transforms horizontal material movement by tugging cart trains and other payloads up to 10,000 pounds, using proprietary autonomous navigation technology for safe, flawless delivery.

With new advancements in perception technology, Palion Lift is able to work directly with Palion Tow Tractor to load and unload carts, which has previously been a time-consuming and labor-intensive workflow. The interoperability of Seegrid AMRs enables customers to optimize their existing workforce and improve operational efficiency with this expanded automation application.

The company’s Palion AMR fleet has driven nearly 10 million autonomous miles in customer production environments. This week at ProMat, Palion Lift and Palion Tow Tractor will demonstrate end-to-end automation, showcasing cart-loading and unloading, lane staging, table and conveyor picking and placing. Booth visitors will also have the opportunity to see how Seegrid’s Fleet Central enterprise software solutions orchestrate material flow. For more information about Seegrid’s automation solutions at ProMat,

visit seegrid.com/promat2023.

About Seegrid

Seegrid combines autonomous mobile robots, enterprise software, and best-in-class services for a complete, connected material handling automation solution. With millions of autonomous production miles driven, Seegrid PalionTM AMRs are reliable, flexible, and proven. The world’s largest manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics companies rely on Seegrid to automate material flow in highly complex environments. From project design through deployment, change management, user training, and data-driven consultation, material flow is both safe and optimized, accelerating automation initiatives today and into the future.

flexcon
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News

Flexcon to Showcase its Extensive Range of Innovative Supply Chain Solutions at ProMat 2023

Leave a comment

Visit Booth #S1822 to Tap Into Over 50 Years of Expertise in Supply Chain Optimization

Flexcon, an industry leader that has been optimizing supply chains  with its material handling solutions for over 50 years, will be showcasing its latest innovations in Booth #S1822  at ProMat, March 20-23, 2023 in Chicago, IL. Visitors to the Flexcon booth will find dozens of styles of plastic  containers, bulk boxes, pallets and accessories that solve a range of challenges faced by manufacturers,  distributors, consultants, dealers and logistics companies. 

“Over 80% of the automation displayed at the show requires containers to operate and the container used has a significant impact on the whole system,” notes Ken Beckerman, Flexcon president and CMO. “At Flexcon,  our experienced team understands that with the right container, automation can operate optimally at higher  speeds and with fewer errors.” 

Utilizing advanced technologies in plastics and coated treated tempered hardboard, Flexcon designs a wide  variety of products with these materials that will be on display at their booth including: 

  • Products used in carousels, vertical lifts, ASRS and Autostore Systems.  
  • A full line of Autostore accessories including cladding/walls, dividers and clear panels. • A low-cost line of plastic warehouse bins that ship flat, assemble easily and are the lowest cost plastic  bin on the market. 

“We currently serve more than 30% of ProMat’s exhibitors with the most efficient and cost-effective  products,” says Beckerman. “Virtually any attendee will find it beneficial to visit us at this year’s show where  we can work together on a plan to address their challenges and upcoming projects.”

ROI 3PL distribution chargers made4net “largely making compromises between the way a warehouse wants to work and the way the system allows the warehouse to work,” logistics gather business
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Warehousing

Gather AI Launches Dashboard Inventory Actions at ProMat to Help Customers More Efficiently Resolve Inventory Discrepancies

Leave a comment
Founded in 2018, Pittsburgh-based Gather AI is now the first established company using drones to automate inventory monitoring processes for warehouse operators to decrease inventory costs, improve productivity and boost revenue.

 

With Gather AI’s solution, inventory drones can fly through a warehouse, photograph pallet locations, then compare the bar codes, text and images with the warehouse management system (WMS).
The Gather AI solution dashboard helps warehouse teams find and fix inventory exceptions. They can review a list of exceptions on their dashboard, scroll through each one, view the picture of the pallet location and determine what needs to happen next, including fixing the information in their WMS. All of this can be done at their desk instead of walking through their warehouse. The new inventory actions function allows teams to categorize specific actions to be taken and filter those to create their ‘to-do’ list.

 

Inventory actions help teams improve their productivity and track what’s been corrected so they know when an exception has been resolved. Gather AI’s product is deployed in warehouses across third-party logistics, retail distribution, manufacturing, food & beverage and health & beauty.

 

In 2022, Gather AI raised a $10M Series A, found 25,000 lost pallets for customers and scanned 8X more pallets than they did in 2021. Additionally, according to customer data, their solution is 15x faster than traditional cycle-counting processes.
lithium gather
Archives, Global Trade Daily, News, Technology

Green Cubes at PROMAT – Lithium-ion Technology for Material Handling Applications

Leave a comment
We are looking forward to seeing you at PROMAT next week!

Be sure to visit our booth S1761 to check out our Lithium SAFEFlex Battery & Charger solutions for electric material handling equipment. Our Director of Marketing, Dr. Robin Sarah Schneider will be on-hand to answer any questions you might have.

We are proud to be Doosan Industrial Vehicle America Corp.’s preferred supplier of Lithium-ion solutions, and our products will be installed in its electric forklifts in our booth, and at Doosan’s booth S3559.

Robin will be presenting two on-floor seminars where she will review how state-of-the art technology Lithium-ion is used today. By using customer case studies, she will present the real-world benefits in safety, efficiency, and total cost of ownership for enterprise customers large and small. These case studies will highlight the benefits achieved using Lithium-ion batteries paired with high efficiency chargers and demonstrate best practices implemented to achieve these benefits.

Here is when and where she will present:

Date: Monday, March 20, 2023

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Location: Theater A

 

Date: Thursday, March 23, 2023

Time: 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Location: Theater H

Green Cubes is a founding member of MHI’s Advanced Energy Council, and Robin will be participating in an on-floor seminar along with representatives from OneCharge and Ethium on integrated lithium batteries in electric material handling equipment and will review the different types, standards and benefits of this technology. Here is when and where they will present:

Date: Wednesday, March 22, 2023

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Location: Theater G

Time: 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Location: Theater A

Travel safely and enjoy the show!
Hayley.

pickpal
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Technology

Tompkins Robotics New PickPal Product Series Expands Robotic Solutions Portfolio

Leave a comment

Tompkins Robotics is expanding its robotic solution offerings and will be introducing its new PickPal product series which is a line of pick assist (PA) autonomous mobile robots (AMR) at ProMat.

Attendees of ProMat can see a demonstration of this system in the Tompkins Robotics ProMat Booth N7140 from the 20th-24th.  There are currently two models in the PickPal series, the standard PickPal which can carry 60 kg of orders, and the PickPal+ which handles up to 100kg of orders. There are additional models coming soon to carry more orders, have higher capacity, and apply pick assist technology to case picking. This robotic technology follows Tompkins Robotics core design elements of producing adaptive, flexible, and scalable solutions.

PickPal provides a quickly implemented and low operating cost robotic technology that can be inserted into existing operations doing order fulfillment in a scalable RaaS model. The RaaS model has minimal implementation costs and a low cost of ownership while driving significant labor savings and capacity improvement. PickPal will drive capacity, cost, and workforce improvements in operations that are struggling with meeting fulfillment demands.  PickPal integrates with other technologies to improve efficiency in existing automated systems as well.  Mike Futch, President & CEO of Tompkins Robotics, explains how the PickPal solution is positioned and benefits the supply chain market.  Tompkins Robotics PickPal series provides a new solution with more flexible contracts, lower monthly cost, and minimal risk to help 3PL, e-commerce and other fulfillment customers handle the growing problems that traditional, large-scale solutions cannot easily address.  PickPals ability to handle the rising number of SKUs, increases in each picking, and faster delivery demands make it a terrific solution for customers to address their fulfillment problems.

Tompkins Robotics continues to develop technologies and new applications that evolve the picking and sortation process helping increase the capacity and utilization of their customers distribution and fulfillment centers.  Tompkins Robotics will be demonstrating their new PickPal solution at ProMat, Booth N7140, as well as in the Tompkins Robotics Lab in Orlando, FL.  For additional information or to arrange a demonstration of the Induction Lift please visit www.tompkinsrobotics.com.   Media are invited to meet with Tompkins Robotics representatives during the product launch press conference at Booth N7140 on Tuesday, March 21st at 1:30 PM.  Contact Lauren Fiochetta at lfiochetta@tompkinsrobotics.com for more information.

About Tompkins Robotics

Tompkins Robotics focuses on robotic automation of distribution and fulfillment operations. Beginning over five years ago with our robotic sortation solution, tSort, we have continued to develop innovative solutions to provide our customers unmatched flexibility and capacity throughout their supply chain processes.  We have added solutions upstream, like our Pick Assist AMR, PickPal, as well as downstream, with the only automated takeaway unit from a unit sorter robot, xChange. Our warehouse execution systems, tWES, links all these technologies and provides a broad solution set for our customers. Tompkins Robotics continues to evolve and enhance our customers operations with solutions that maximize modularity, floorspace, flexibility, and speed of implementation and our RaaS financing option allows for customers to see an even faster ROI to make them more successful in todays dynamic marketplace.

siemens
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Technology

Siemens Creates New Vertical Market Dedicated to Intralogistics in the U.S.

Leave a comment

The Intralogistics segment will provide a holistic, systematic approach for materials handling.

Siemens recently announced the formation of the new Intralogistics vertical that brings best-in-class material handling thought leadership, hardware automation, software and service solutions to customers in the United States. Siemens is leveraging its broad technology to address the market needs for digital transformation, cybersecurity, safety and sustainability. This new group will operate both as a vertical industry group and a horizontal business operation. It will reside within the Siemens Digital Industries — Motion Control business and functions in tandem with the organization’s existing additive manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, food-and-beverage, and other industry verticals.

Joel Thomas is the head of the Intralogistics vertical. Besides management of the group, Thomas will also work closely with trade associations who serve the intralogistics industry and will foster programs at Siemens to educate the next generation of engineers, programmers, software developers and plant operations personnel who will manage the warehouses of the future.  

This new group will serve machine builders and end-customers alike. For example, using the Siemens TIA Portal, a warehouse facility or postal clearing house will be able to integrate all its motion control hardware, software systems and communications protocols, internal and external, as needed. Additionally, Siemens digital twin and simulation technologies allow a warehouse or manufacturing operation to test all the “what ifs” before taking action on a material handling challenge.

 

Further, notes Joel Thomas, “The goal for all companies should be smart manufacturing and automated material flow, which is adaptable to changing market and technology conditions. This is especially challenging in older brownfield operations, where the legacy equipment might not handle the needs of the company, tomorrow or even today.”  

Predictive analytics and predictive maintenance will also be among the key drivers for the Siemens Intralogistics business, as it strives to offer users the needed system components to maximize productivity and to gather the data needed to monitor and maintain the operation. The biggest challenge for this new group, according to Thomas, is to identify and bring the necessary skills and solutions to the resident knowledge base for each customer. He notes this varies considerably based upon each company’s size and onboard skill sets. 

Thomas also comments how sustainability, which involves energy consumption and the ability to anticipate what equipment and software will be needed in the future to keep the plant running at maximum efficiency, will be a critical factor in the service package provided to customers. 

Lastly, with use of this digital-to-real world technology, the Intralogistics business will help companies achieve a more productive eco-system and, with various Siemens solutions and services, a homogenous environment in the future-proofing of their operations.

Siemens Digital Industries (DI) is an innovation leader in automation and digitalization. Closely collaborating with partners and customers, DI drives the digital transformation in the process and discrete industries. With its Digital Enterprise portfolio, DI provides companies of all sizes with an end-to-end set of products, solutions and services to integrate and digitalize the entire value chain. Optimized for the specific needs of each industry, DI’s unique portfolio supports customers to achieve greater productivity and flexibility. DI is constantly adding innovations to its portfolio to integrate cutting-edge future technologies. Siemens Digital Industries has its global headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and has around 75,000 employees internationally.

Siemens Corporation is a U.S. subsidiary of Siemens AG, a technology company focused on industry, infrastructure, transport, and healthcare. From more resource-efficient factories, resilient supply chains, and smarter buildings and grids, to cleaner and more comfortable transportation as well as advanced healthcare, the company creates technology with purpose adding real value for customers. By combining the real and the digital worlds, Siemens empowers its customers to transform their industries and markets, helping them to transform the everyday for billions of people. Siemens also owns a majority stake in the publicly listed company Siemens Healthineers, a globally leading medical technology provider shaping the future of healthcare. In addition, Siemens holds a minority stake in Siemens Energy, a global leader in the transmission and generation of electrical power. In fiscal 2022, which ended on September 30, 2022, Siemens Group USA generated revenue of $18.6 billion and employs approximately 45,000 people serving customers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

 

 

 

beckhoff
Archives, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Technology, Warehousing

Beckhoff to Present Adaptive Automation for Intelligent Warehouses at ProMat 2023

Leave a comment

Breakthrough solutions in software, EtherCAT, mechatronics and machine control will be key highlights, in addition to a preview of the MX-System, a cabinetless, pluggable control platform ideal for intralogistics

Beckhoff will showcase the latest adaptive automation technologies for the intralogistics industry at ProMat 2023. Top highlights in Beckhoff booth S1541 will include the intelligent mechatronic systems, XPlanar and the eXtended Transport System (XTS) now with No Cable Technology (NCT), and the TwinCAT/BSD alternative operating system (OS) for Beckhoff controls. An advance preview of the MX-System, the emerging hardware platform for completely cabinet-free machine design, will also be on display at the show from March 20-23 at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago.

Via a variety of hands-on demos, visitors to the Beckhoff booth will be able to interact with the latest in machine control, IoT and analytics, EtherCAT networking and integrated safety. The fully integrated and flexible automation and IoT portfolio from Beckhoff helps engineers tackling wide-ranging intralogistics applications to build the data-driven warehouses of tomorrow – today.

Intelligent transport systems enable adaptive automation

Proven in thousands of applications globally, XTS is helping equipment manufacturers completely rethink how to solve complex material handling challenges. XTS delivers high dynamics, software-based changeovers and dramatic footprint reductions. In its ProMat debut, the new NCT extension provides contactless, continuous power supply and synchronous real-time data transmission to XTS movers. The system can now incorporate wide-ranging end effectors and powered devices for processing, material handling or inspection tasks directly on the wireless mover during operation. NCT preserves the compact design of XTS, leverages ultra-fast EtherCAT communication and is fully integrated into TwinCAT 3 automation software.

The XPlanar “flying motion” system delivers unbeatable competitive advantages with magnetically levitating movers. Taking an adaptive automation approach, XPlanar can fundamentally change how equipment manufacturers approach material handling and robotic tasks to disrupt their industry segments. Boosting throughput and flexibility, the system boasts zero friction, automatic collision avoidance, path planning, anti-slosh, 360-degree rotation and zero wear on the system, among other benefits. The base tiles can also be covered with stainless steel, glass or plastic for hygienic distribution and fulfillment environments, such as meal kits, health product subscriptions or pharmaceuticals as just some examples.

PC-based control advantages, now without Windows

The TwinCAT/BSD OS continues to see great success in intralogistics applications. Not only does TwinCAT/BSD provide an alternative to Windows, but it also offers the security of a modern UNIX-like OS, selection from a wide range of powerful CPUs and all of the advantages of Beckhoff machine control technologies. The solution works seamlessly on Beckhoff controllers as a non-Windows OS in conjunction with the universal engineering environment and deterministic runtime of TwinCAT.

Continuing the existing benefits of the Beckhoff control architecture, the TwinCAT/BSD environment supports the execution of third-party software from the large FreeBSD repository. The new Hypervisor extends this capability further by enabling virtual machines to run third-party software in Linux, Windows or other OS environments on the same controller. Also continuing the existing benefits of the TwinCAT automation platform, separate tasks can be executed in separate cores of a multi-core processor.

The future of intralogistics is cabinetless with MX-System

In another ProMat first, Beckhoff will highlight an emerging technology for comprehensive, IP67-rated machine control: MX-System. Every square foot is valuable in a distribution operation, yet electrical cabinets devour limited floor space, increase installation efforts, add costs and eliminate system flexibility. Freeing up this wasted space has long been a priority for Beckhoff, with innovations like EtherCAT P, the AMP8000 distributed servo system and the C7015 ultra-compact Industrial PC (IPC), an IP65/67 machine controller. Now MX-System puts a truly cabinet-free solution for complete machine control and system engineering into view. The ProMat sneak peek will highlight how the MX-System will handle all tasks and requirements of a machine’s control cabinet in a space-saving design.

Automation solutions for the smart warehouse of tomorrow

Visitors to the Beckhoff booth can explore the deep, feature-rich New Automation Technology portfolio. From servo solutions of all sizes to MDR controllers to wide-ranging EtherCAT I/O and inherently scalable machine control hardware, Beckhoff delivers a fully integrated, flexible automation platform to optimize intralogistics equipment and operations.