In recent years, intelligent transformation through automation technology has become a necessary path for manufacturing industry to gain higher efficiency, productivity and competitiveness. In addition to the technological upgrading of the production mode itself, more and more enterprises begin to pay attention to the material transportation link in the value chain, hoping to change the heavy reliance on labor in the traditional production line transportation through an economical and efficient way, and improve the accuracy, speed and safety of internal logistics.

Mobile Industrial Robots (hereinafter referred to as MiR), a leader in the global Mobile Robot market, believes that Autonomous Mobile Robot — AMR technology can transform the production line logistics automation of manufacturing enterprises from ten aspects. With the MiRGo platform offering a wealth of top module applications, AMR can help employees do higher-value work throughout the process, from the time the material is in storage to the time the finished product is out of storage, providing companies with reliable internal logistics technology.

MiRGo is MiR’s third party top module supplier platform, bringing together a wide range of fully and rigorously tested solutions continuously developed by our partners for frames/racks, traction units, lifting units, conveyor belts, robotic arms, disinfection modules, electric stations, and more. MiR AMR with the top module can more flexibly and efficiently adapt to various usage scenarios, and respond to the refined, fragmented and diversified demands of the manufacturing industry.

Application 1: Loading pallet module to realize automatic material loading and unloading

After loading the pallet on the AMR, the robot can complete the loading and unloading of more complex materials on the basis of basic mobile transportation. In the case of Karakuri, the MiR AMR with this top-integrated system enables complete automation of the loading and unloading of components on a factory assembly line.

The MiR AMR with the Karakuri system can automatically transport materials from the warehouse to the production line, unload them onto stationary pallets, and load the waste generated from the production line onto trucks and transport them to the waste disposal area.

Application 2: Matching conveyor belt module to assist flexible link production line

Conveyor belt is used to automatically grab and release cargo carrier equipment, suitable for objects from small objects to pallets, a very wide range. With a conveyor belt installed on top of the MiR AMR, the robot fully automates the production process. Compared with the traditional fixed conveyor belt, enterprises can significantly improve the flexibility of the logistics process by increasing the mobility of the conveyor belt.

Honeywell’s Safety and Productivity Solutions plant in Poole, England, moves materials between production lines and warehouses through multiple narrow corridors and double fire doors, as well as controlling elevators as they move between floors. Honeywell therefore deployed four MiR robots equipped with conveyor belts. The robots are connected to a conveyor belt in the warehouse to pick up materials and transport them to 15 different stations designated in the production area. Fully automated shipping saves significant time and eliminates material handling errors, keeping processes streamlined.

Application 3: Automatic pickup and delivery of transport cages and carts with traction solutions

In the manufacturing environment, it is often necessary to transport various kinds of materials to the specified point by manual carts and transport cages. The top module of MiR250 Hook not only changes the dependence on manpower for this work. MiR250 Hook is mainly used for connecting, pulling and unloading various carts. Paired with the MiR250 AMR, it can find and connect almost any type of cart via QR code or April Tag, driving smoothly and efficiently in a highly dynamic people environment. This user-friendly technology makes it easy to automate the transportation of carts up to 500kg in weight without any human involvement.

Application four: Equipped with pallet lift technology to achieve efficient and safe pallet transportation

The high-load AMR is capable of pallet movement when transporting large items from the warehouse to the production site. With a custom pallet lift and pallet rack, MiR AMR is able to automatically pick up, transport and deliver pallets from the warehouse for efficient transportation. Most manufacturers want forklifts off the factory floor because they pose a safety threat. With autonomous navigation, the AMR is a safe alternative, able to avoid people and other obstacles in the path.