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Automation in material handling is the future

Mobile robots have already taken over many routine and strenuous tasks in manufacturing. They also handle a wealth of different materials in modern warehouses. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Automated Mobile Robots (AMRs) are perfect for the next industrial revolution and they help improve ergonomics, safety and efficiency everywhere.

Automation in material handling is the future

See our own AGV in action here

 

Employees willing to take on physically strenuous jobs and hard manual labour are harder than ever to find. Along with a general goal to optimise warehouse space, to make manufacturing flexible and to make better use of their employees, companies around the world are seeking to automate processes, increase efficiency and save costs.

This is a clear global trend, and a way to accomplish all of the above is to extend the use of AMRs and AGVs. These intelligent machines are going to handle a lot of materials in manufacturing and will help streamline stock management almost everywhere.

According to A3 (Association of Advancing Automation), 95% of warehouses today are not yet automated. However, Interact Analysis forecasts an increase in the installation rate of mobile robots to 10% by the year 2025. By then, the installed base will be around 2 million.

 

Platforms with deck-load functions most popular

A closer look at the current market shows that the deck-load type of mobile robots is the most commonly used. The typical tasks include moving unit loads, such as pallets, boxes or shelves. As well as taking over the classic transport task from A to B, mobile robots are increasingly used as a kind of flexible, mobile conveyer fit for the factory of the future.

Handling payloads requires a durable vertical lift, and to help you find the right solution, LINAK® brings years of experience in this field.

 

Precision and reliability are key factors

In order to meet end-user demands, the material handling process – from manufacturing to logistics – needs to be precise and reliable. According to Business Development Manager, Heiko Kleineder, LINAK actuators are ideal for mobile robots.

“Precision and reliability are traits that have been synonymous with LINAK actuators for decades. Autonomous robots and AGVs with our electric movement solutions rely on both of these factors if they are to create any value at all,” he explains, and adds:

“Utilising the industrial interface and signal feedback options, our actuators are really easy to integrate with modern mobile robot design and they support digital twins. And our durable and maintenance-free actuators provide the high level of reliability that our customers need. We are used to making tailored solutions and often work together with our customers to reach desired results. That’s how we know!”.

If you want to know more about how electric actuators can support your AGV or AMR-application, please contact your local LINAK office.

 

Our solutions in material handling applications

Curious about LINAK solutions in autonomous mobile robots? Explore some cool applications from our customers Scallog, Smart Robotics and InSystems Automation.

ScallogScallog
Smart roboticsSmart Robotics
InSystems automationInSystems Automation
 
 

 
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Explore the aspects of what makes an actuator ideal for use with industrial machinery and discover the technology behind it.

Welcome to the LINAK Actuator Academy™

 

 

LINAK has the first AGV of its kind in Scandinavia

At LINAK, we know all the benefits of using AGVs to automate processes and how to use them to spare our employees from physically strenuous tasks.

At our manufacturing facility in Denmark, we have an AGV in machining to do the heavy lifting. It moves around 40 tonnes of spindles every day – an essential task, previously performed manually with carts.

The AGV is fully autonomous and operates side by side with employees, moving required spindle materials to the right processing stations. This ensures an accurate flow of materials while keeping track of stock status and material placement.

The main reasons for implementing the AGV at LINAK was to improve ergonomics and increase employee safety. We are also experiencing fewer errors because, thanks to the AGV, more processes are now computer-controlled.

Our AGV is the first of its kind in Scandinavia, and features LA25 and LA36 LINAK actuators.
We call her ‘Marie’ and you can see her in action in this video.

 
Linear actuator feedback outputs | Actuator Academy™ play-icon

Actuator Academy™ | Linear actuator feedback outputs

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Actuator Academy™ | Intelligent movement with linear actuators

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Actuator Academy™ | Linear actuator configuration software

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Actuators for mobile robots in material handling

We are your solution partner for lifting applications in the field of material handling. Discover why our electric actuator solutions are ideal for your mobile robot or industrial truck.

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