Automation solutions
Smart automation in the brownfield
In addition to the desire for simpler products, Still is registering a growing demand among its customers for automation solutions that can be implemented quickly and are scalable. "Among other things, automation is also a response to the ongoing shortage of skilled workers," says Frank Müller, Senior Vice President Brand Management, about this trend. Smart automation solutions are intended to help close the gaps, and for many companies they are also the only way to counter the pressure to improve efficiency. "And it has to be as fast as possible, uncomplicated and, of course, work reliably - and preferably without major conversion work in the warehouse," adds Müller. The trick is to introduce sensible automation into an existing, usually very tight warehouse structure. And it is precisely for these brownfield applications that Still offers the right automation technology.
Mixed operation, in which automated vehicles have to operate together with manual vehicles and passenger transport, is also a special challenge, as automation is not possible in a separate area in a brownfield warehouse. Still also has solutions for this: self-learning industrial trucks that can move safely and effectively even under unfavorable conditions - plus a smart separation of horizontal and vertical transports with mixed-operation-compatible devices. This smart separation of vertical and horizontal transportation requires a wide variety of available vehicle types. Then each vehicle can take on exactly the tasks that it is best suited to. Why should a vehicle that is almost as bulky as an autonomous mobile robot, such as a pallet truck or reach truck, be used for long-distance transportation?
Furthermore, Still has the vision of bringing automated solutions to the general public. Driverless transport systems should not be niche solutions, but should be suitable for the mass market. An important step along the way is the VDA 5050 interface - the universal "language", so to speak, for various existing systems.
This article appeared in issue 6/23
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