Autonomous Material Handling (AMH) is part of Konica Minolta’s connected IoT system, which leverages Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) to improve and automate users’ material handling processes. The AMH is a suite of cyber-physical systems for material handling in areas including manufacturing, warehousing, and logistic operations.
sConnect is a dashboard which presents AMR fleet performance close to real-time. It reveals analytic results on AMR operations which allows users to identify areas for intra-logistic process improvement when handling materials on and off site. It uses a measure called Overall Robotic Effectiveness (ORE) to present robotic fleet performance. The ORE is an equivalent of the industry standard “overall equipment effectiveness” (OEE) which is calculated based on the three factors of Availability, Performance, and Quality.
Example of insights generated from sConnect:
1. Tasks / missions successfully completed 2. Actual delivery speed versus ideal speed 3. Robot fleet utilisation time versus idle / charging / downtime
An AMR uses sensors to dynamically navigate any operating environment. Compared to an automated guided vehicle (AGV), an AMR does not need physical or electro-mechanical guidance devices (magnetic tape) and allows navigation route changes using software.
The AMH portfolio uses a wide range of AMR models suitable for different payload needs of pre-break bulk (palletized) and inter-logistic operations. Konica Minolta offers AMRs with payloads from 100 to 1000 kg that can optimize all workflows from the transportation of smaller parts to moving heavy loads and pallets automatically.
The AMH also offers a variety of applications on top of the AMR base unit for different needs to interface with trolleys / carts, conveyors, and robotic arms.
A Fleet Manager is used for control of multiple units of AMRs in a single operation site. This web-based software tool centralises multiple AMR conditions like battery status as well as current location when disseminating work order to a specific AMR.
It is also the traffic controller to resolve conflicting intents like traffic deadlocks, by allowing only one AMR on a specific path at a time.
To maximise the utility of AMR, sInfra of AMH enables the system to interface with building infrastructure to expand the zone of material handling autonomously. The sInfra software allows accessibility to lifts, sliding doors and other infrastructure. It also provides real-time status of infrastructure availability like trolley parking lots and lift occupancy.
sWorkflow is a workflow software platform that can flexibly execute different AMR automated workflow scenarios based on reconfigurable business rules. It enables AMR to work seamlessly with other IoT sensors and material handling equipment, while integrating with enterprise software like ERP and WMS for work order management.
It is also a middleware to interface with physical material handling systems like conveyor systems, automated storage and retrieval systems as well as collaborative robotic arms.
With such system interoperability capabilities and built-in workflow engine, sWorkflow allows flexible reconfiguration of process flows for optimised system performance
Konica Minolta’s AMH offerings bridge the inter-logistics among incoming materials, machine/equipment’s output stations to and outbound delivery.
While the AMH system is in execution, status data is automatically archived. AMH users can extract close to real time status and analyze performance. Such status performance can be set as a baseline for process improvement comparisons.
How AMH offerings can benefit your inter-logistic operations
The AMH real-time performance visualisation and analytics allow autonomous discovery of bottlenecks for process improvement. The performance baseline can be set for post changes comparison to quantitatively measure changes introduced. The material handling IoT system, at the same time, provides data acquisition and analytics that ultimately drives continuous improvement for higher operation productivity.
As the AMR seamlessly integrates with material handling, machine, enterprise software and infrastructure, the AMH eliminates all error-prone, repetitive tasks when transferring physical materials/goods and data. It provides direct benefit of efficiency gain and error reduction for system handling.
The AMH is agile and flexible enough to accommodate changes in dynamic environments like high mixed goods flow and low volume production. The software-controlled AMR and sensor are configurable when new scenarios to handle materials are required with no physical change and almost no cost incurred. Furthermore, with its ability to integrate with infrastructure access, the AMH expands AMR’s access to larger areas of workspace in facilities. The close to real-time status allows quick response to resume operation in the event of a downtime incident.
Autonomous Mobile Robots to help automate your business. For more information, get in touch with our product experts and find out how Konica Minolta’s autonomous robotics solutions can streamline your work processes.
The MiR100 is a safe, cost-effective mobile robot that quickly automates your internal transportation and logistics. The robot optimizes workflows, freeing staff resources so you can increase productivity and reduce costs.
The MiR200 is a safe, cost-effective mobile robot that quickly automates your internal transportation and logistics. The robot optimizes workflows, freeing staff resources so you can increase productivity and reduce costs.
The MiR250 is a more flexible AMR that can work around the clock and is brilliantly simple to setup, for improved productivity. Its smaller footprint and increased adaptability help optimize internal logistics without changing layout.
MiR500 is designed to automate the transportation of pallets and heavy loads across industries. With a total payload of 500 kg, and a footprint of 1350×920 mm, MiR500 is a large, powerful and robust collaborative, autonomous mobile robot.
The MiR600 is a stronger and safer AMR. The MiR600 is compliant with the highest available robot standards making it superior to other AMRs on the market. With increased ability to withstand dust particles and fluids along with being compliant to the highest safety standards on the market, the MiR600 is safer, more stable and more reliable than other AMRs on the market.
360° visual protection around robot
47.7 V nominal, minimum 41 V, maximum 54 V
Minimum 3 000 cycles
MiR1000 is designed to automate and optimize the internal transportation of heavy duties and pallets with a total payload of 1000 kg. It can transport heavy loads without any exterior safety measures, even in highly dynamic environments.
The MiR1350 is the most powerful AMR from MiR to date. The MiR1350 is compliant with the highest available robot standards making it superior to other AMRs on the market.
Lithium ion
CE, EN1525, ANSI B56.5, ISO3691-4, RIA15.08, ISO13849-1
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