Automated guided vehicles
AGVs for safe processes in medical technology
A leading German medical technology company has comprehensively modernized its intralogistics - with an individual AGV overall concept from ek robotics. The aim was to achieve a consistently safe, efficiently synchronized material flow along the process chain - from sterilization to storage.
The company has been relying on automated guided vehicles for years and decided to strategically expand and replace outdated systems in 2023. Three existing systems from a competitor were replaced by transport robots from the Heavy Move series from ek robotics. These are now used to load and unload a total of six sterilization chambers in which sensitive medical products are treated with gaseous sterilants.
Thanks to four forks, the vehicles can transport two pallets at the same time - an advantage for meeting the tight cycle times in the sterilization process. In addition, a new system was put into operation that intelligently links the interfaces between sterilization, post-conditioning and automated storage.
Precise navigation in confined spaces
Twelve Vario Move CB vehicles with fork adjustment and counterweights ensure the automated transportation of the processed medical products - on two levels and in 24/7 operation. The route, which is around 500 meters long, leads through narrow structural conditions and requires precise navigation. The time-critical transfer takes place at a total of 20 post-conditioning chambers, each with three buffer lanes: a maximum of 60 minutes is available for each batch. A material flow simulation carried out in advance ensured the cycle accuracy of the processes. Three additional vehicles organize the transfer to the storage area. The semi-automated system increases operational efficiency, reduces the workload on staff and creates the conditions for further growth.
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