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www.mac<strong>hi</strong>neryupdate.co.uk july/august 2018 MACHINERY UPDATE 69<br />
Mobile robots<br />
for quick gain<br />
Autonomous mobile robots or AMRs are now<br />
supporting lean services for materials handling<br />
New sensor and software<br />
technologies are making<br />
autonomous mobile robots<br />
(AMRs) ideal for unpredictable<br />
or changing production layouts<br />
and dynamic work environments.<br />
Agile manufacturing is allowing<br />
companies to adapt to fast-changing<br />
market demands and maintain their<br />
competitiveness, but on-time delivery of<br />
materials and assemblies wit<strong>hi</strong>n those<br />
facilities continues to be a challenge.<br />
Traditional automated guided ve<strong>hi</strong>cles<br />
(AGVs) move materials using fixed routes<br />
that are guided by permanent wi<strong>res</strong>,<br />
magnetic strips, or sensors embedded<br />
in the plant floor. In contrast, however<br />
today’s AMRs offer the flexibility,<br />
safety, and cost-effectiveness that allow<br />
companies of nearly any size to automate<br />
and optimise materials handling.<br />
An AMR navigates via sensors, cameras,<br />
and sop<strong>hi</strong>sticated software that is built<br />
into the robot itself, <strong>with</strong>out the need for<br />
external sensors or guides. And because<br />
companies do not need to alter their<br />
facility <strong>with</strong> wi<strong>res</strong> or sensors, the robot<br />
can be integrated wit<strong>hi</strong>n hours <strong>with</strong> no<br />
disruption to production.<br />
Magna-Power, a New Jersey-based<br />
manufacturer of power products, has<br />
deployed two mobile industrial robots<br />
(MiR) AMRs to move parts and assemblies<br />
from the stockroom and through its<br />
vertically integrated manufacturing floor.<br />
“One t<strong>hi</strong>ng that was pretty astonis<strong>hi</strong>ng<br />
for me is that the MiR robot was delivered<br />
and 15 minutes later it was unpacked<br />
and on the floor,” says Adam Pitel,<br />
Magna-Power VP of operations.<br />
“In another 15 minutes, I’m controlling<br />
it <strong>with</strong> my mobile phone, and wit<strong>hi</strong>n two<br />
hours it is travelling from point to point<br />
in our building, after uploading a<br />
schematic of our facilities,” he says.<br />
The full range of MiR AMRs is available<br />
in the UK from automation solutions<br />
provider RARUK Automation.<br />
T 01462 670044<br />
W www.rarukautomation.com<br />
The MiR200 range of AMRs from RARUK Automation is gaining ground in many factories
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