AS/RS has long helped companies provide ground space, improve working conditions, and promote productivity in the warehouse. But it usually requires investments in large infrastructure that has no meaning except for the largest companies that have the deepest pockets.
But this position changes. Technology is progressing quickly, and these existing automated systems have become more flexible and affordable, making it accessible to a wide range of final users.
“We will see more adoption [because there is a] Jesse Swson, head of AS/RS and high height at two warehouse systems manufacturers, explains that the low -term barrier is in the long term.
“Robots have opened a great way,” says Swanson. So “So [these systems] In each aspect of manufacturing or distribution is applied at a level. “
In fact, the line is unclear between the traditional/RS solutions and the flexible systems of commodities to a person that includes independent mobile robots (AMRS). Today, more and more AMR developers create advanced solutions that they say are under the AS/RS umbrella, on the pretext that they work in the same way as their traditional counterparts. Several experts say this trend represents a development in automatic storage and retrieval that may be included in the era of warehouse automation on a large scale.
Expand horizons
Traditional AS/RS solutions include shuttle or mechanical cranes that are transmitted via a stand -alone storage network, recovering and handing them over to choose the stations that workers fill. It works in a similar way to automate the sale, and mainly follow the steps in reverse order. The famous Autostore system is a major example.
But these are complicated solutions with strict infrastructure requirements designed for highly productive applications-they are often expensive for smaller companies to justify them.
In an attempt to bridge the gap, robotics companies have become more creative in their offers from goods to a person-specifically by integrating the “AMRS” that can travel to the bottom of the wallets of the shelves, connecting to the appropriate stand for storage or retrieval, then climbing to the correct location for the transportation. Most often, AmRS with panels or trays installed at the highest level used to transport and transport bags or boxes. They look and behave largely as/RS because they work in dense shelves limited to a specific area of the warehouse. The main benefit is that customers can add shelves and robots as needed to absorb growth.
“It is very developmentable and can be implemented with a relatively small investment,” explains Swanson.
Others agree, adding that such systems can be installed faster than traditional shuttle systems or a small load, and that they are easier to implement in brown field sites because of their elasticity.
But merging the categories is still a bit controversial.
“It’s effective, Amr, to do what the traditional little load will do … but it is not traditional AS/RS,” says Warehouse’s Solutions, North America, to the automated logistical service solutions company. Lockhart points to the speed of traditional systems as what makes them ideal for large -scale processes. “Usually, where you want high performance, this is definitely they are [AS/RS’s] Status. “
However, he says he expects the groups to merge as technology progresses.
“All AMR providers put themselves largely as a rupee [providers]”I think the industry as a whole will merge in this bucket,” says Lockhart.
Hunter Sen, the deputy head of the Hai Robotics, agrees with this evaluation. Hai Robotics classifies HaIPICK goods to a person as “advanced storage and retrieval systems.” All models in the company’s HaIPICK assortment-which includes HaIPICK Climb and Haipick Systems 1, 2 and 3- Use Amrs and/or independent cases processing robots (ACRS) to pass dense storage corridors and climb to the correct location or national site. Sen emphasizes the flexibility and simplicity of technology.
“It takes a tremendous investment to obtain the benefits of automation from the old school AS/RS,” he says. “The new school, in which we specialize, is automation that has become simple. We give users every day access to automation.”
Bend your muscles
Regardless of how to determine the term “AS/RS”, flexibility is always part of the conversation. With traditional systems, customers often allow space to add units or corridors to the AS/RS when needed, for example. Network -based systems can be built to accommodate future growth.
The shuttle technology is advancing as well. Lockhart refers to the “roaming” shutters such as those in Vanderland’s Adapto As/RS: The system is characterized by a sorting technology and a built -in sequence that allows “smart” shuts to “think about the future” and move to the place where work should be done within the system. Multi-directional shutters can bridge the corridors, allowing a soft and fast arrangement-which makes the system ideal for large e-commerce.
Whatever the path the company chooses, the planning is necessary.
“The problem that you always have is, have you left enough space to add a capacity?” Lockhart says about traditional solutions AS/RS. I visited the warehouses where they cannot add it to it. [On the other hand]We have sold systems where there is a gap at the end to add a block of AS/RS.
“Today, people are planning a little more to expand, compared to five or 10 years. It returns to the space in which it is available and what planning you did when you build the system for the first time.”
Sino approval.
“If you go to automate [project and focus solely] When fixing one problem you have today – well, you can find a solution to this problem. But you may end up with a rigid solution, and you need to analyze whether or not this will correct the problems [you may have in] The future explains, stressing the need for the ultimate use of users to constantly analyze business performance and predict future demand. “The problems are constantly changing on the speed and speed of this market. [Businesses need] Flexible solutions that adapt to your business growth and develop. “
As with any commercial decision, the return on investment (ROI) is a decisive factor and will eventually determine whether the traditional AS/RS or “new school” is the best.
“What is the return on investing for the customer?” Lockhart says, with a focus on the balance between the level of automation required by business and recovery on this investment. “It comes to ensuring that you have the correct choice of the right reasons. Also, it really comes to ensuring the AS/RS provider with which you work [determine whether or not] You are doing the right thing and you are planning properly. “
The technique of progress today makes this process a little easier – and helps to bring automation to the masses.
“[Because of] The rate in which automation has evolved is easier to buy, install and maintain. “Now all types of businesses can invest in all sections, regardless of size,” “Sen added.
