Innovations for Automation and Digital Transformation

At LogiMAT 2022, international exhibitors in the field of plant and conveyor technology occupy three and a half out of a total of ten halls at the Stuttgart exhibition center, presenting a comprehensive range of solutions for the increasing demands of digitalization and sustainability. Thus, the International Trade Fair for Intralogistics Solutions and Process Management offers professional visitors a broad overview and crucial guidance for the future-oriented alignment of their intralogistics.

(Munich/Stuttgart) The ongoing shortage of skilled workers, combined with the growing volume of online trade, currently shapes the demand and development trends in the segment of plant and conveyor technology. The current solution offerings for intralogistics, as emphasized by manufacturers and system integrators with their exhibits at LogiMAT 2022, therefore aim at further automation of intralogistics processes, digitalization of data and data streams, as well as flexibility through scalable solutions. Additionally, under the keyword “Green Logistics,” there is a trend towards sustainable solutions and resource-optimized processes. Accordingly, the material flow and plant concepts for intralogistics focus on compact, energy-efficient plant technology and, in light of volatile demand situations, extensive flexibility in the design and scalability of systems and solutions. “The primary drivers for further development in the field of plant technology are already known from previous years,” explains trade fair director Michael Ruchty from the LogiMAT organizer EUROEXPO Messe- und Kongress-GmbH, Munich. “However, the pandemic has intensified them and significantly accelerated their impact on the requirements for intralogistics as well as on manufacturers and providers. The current range of solutions that international conveyor technology, system, and plant builders offer for automation, digitalization, and flexibility in intralogistics will be presented to interested parties and the professional audience from May 31 to June 2 at LogiMAT 2022 in three and a half halls at the Stuttgart exhibition center.”

In halls 1 – including the gallery – 3 and 5, as well as large parts of hall 7, the exhibits of manufacturers and system integrators illustrate an increased integration of the latest technologies such as robotics, image capture, and minimization in system and control elements. At the same time, the processes of installed shelving and conveyor technology are increasingly being networked and coordinated with mobile components such as automated forklifts or driverless transport vehicles (FTF). Thus, machine and plant builders, system providers, and integrators, as the strongest exhibitor group at LogiMAT 2022 in Stuttgart, present new shuttle systems, carry robots, autonomously operating picking robots, and space-saving sorting solutions. They showcase innovative picking machines and conveyor technology components, as well as novel pocket sorters and cobots for picking and palletizing. Several system integrators are also present with AutoStore systems, showcasing the latest components and additions for the automated storage system. Other exhibits focus on IT-supported performance optimizations through system and data networking for seamless data transfer and comprehensive analyses.

In particular, methods and procedures of artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly being integrated into process control, analysis, maintenance, and services. “Connected intralogistics systems that are capable of learning and self-optimizing will play a significant role in the near future,” emphasizes Johann Steinkellner, CEO Central Europe at TGW Logistics Group (Hall 5, Stand C13). The Austrian system integrator presents at LogiMAT 2022, alongside current developments in modules, systems, and solutions for automated plants, software models for system networking. Data from all applications, products, and solutions are collected and evaluated in a unified system, visualized, and used for further optimizations.

Representative Cross-Section of the Current Range of Solutions

In light of these developments, many companies are investing in modernizing their intralogistics equipment and optimizing their processes. Accordingly, the order books of machine and plant builders are currently filled to the brim. Within a year, according to figures from the industry association VDMA, the sector in Germany achieved a real order increase of 32 percent in 2021. Companies started the current year with an above-average order backlog of 10.9 months – meaning they were already booked out from the beginning of the year until November. Nevertheless, they want to present their current product developments to the international professional audience and achieve further contract signings. “We are pleased to finally showcase interesting product innovations live in 2022,” says Sebastian Krayenborg, managing director of Karl-H. Bartels GmbH (Hall 1, Stand B69). For this purpose, LogiMAT, as a proven presentation, information, and communication platform with the character of a working fair, offers the optimal environment.

The new individual components and recently developed fully automated systems showcased by companies at LogiMAT represent a representative cross-section of the current range of solutions for efficient intralogistics in industry and trade. For instance, Rocketsolution GmbH (Hall 1, Gallery, Stand OG71) is coming to Stuttgart with its new shuttle system “RSX1.” The technological novelty aims for maximum density with the highest possible performance of automated storage systems. Körber Supply Chain Automation GmbH (Hall 1, Stand C34) presents various automation and material transport solutions in Stuttgart, including a new shuttle system and the AI-supported “Operator-Eye” technology for troubleshooting and error prevention in fully automated layer picking.

Stock Solutions and Streicher Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG present at the East entrance, Stand E080, their cooperation project “iQS,” a flexible shuttle for standard shelves as well as small and large load carriers. With this high-performance solution, already installed automatic small parts warehouses should also be retrofittable. Extor GmbH (Hall 5, Stand G69) showcases the compact storage system “RoverLog.” The system stacks load carriers vertically using a lift table, operates completely without forklifts, conveyor technology, pallets, or sorting systems when storing medium-sized items, and aims to automate or replace manual picking processes as well as the running, forklift, and high picking in narrow aisles.

Robots for Increased Dynamics

New solutions to enhance process efficiency and accuracy in storage and picking are presented by the cube storage pioneer AutoStore (Hall 1, Stand B61), Element Logic GmbH (Hall 1, Stand H21), as well as AMI Förder- und Lagertechnik GmbH (Hall 1, Stand C03), Knapp AG (Hall 3, Stand B05), and the Dutch system integrator Inther Group (Hall 5, Stand B50) at LogiMAT. AutoStore announces, in addition to a new, integrable CarouselPort for the systems, the presentation of various industry solutions. Element Logic presents, as one of several exhibitors with AutoStore systems at LogiMAT 2022, further innovative developments of the compact, automated storage and picking system. These include the new “R5+-Robots” from AutoStore, new system containers with heights of up to 425 millimeters, and the AutoStore “Bin-Lift2,” a new robust vertical lift for multi-story warehouses. Other peripheral devices for AutoStore systems are showcased by, among others, Picavi GmbH (Hall 7, Stand D08) with an assisting pick-by-vision solution for visual guidance and further enhancement of picking quality, and AM Logistic Solutions GmbH (Hall 1, Stand B31) with the new “RiCO-bot.” The RiCO-bot, equipped with a robotic arm, autonomously orients itself using 3D optics, can recognize and handle small parts autonomously, and is designed as a complement to automated storage systems like AutoStore to extend their system performance to the automated processes in goods receipt and shipping.

Increased dynamics in storage and picking are promised not only by the integration of robotic technology but also by systemic new developments such as the automatic storage and picking system “Smart-Flexdepot” from AMI Förder- und Lagertechnik GmbH (Hall 1, Stand C03). According to the manufacturer, the picking machine offers continuous inventory reconciliation with the merchandise management system, the “current maximum value for storage utilization volume, and thus maximum availability.” Knapp AG (Hall 3, Stand B05) presents several innovations at LogiMAT. For the first time, the company showcases “AutoPocket,” a completely new pocket sorter system, to the professional audience. Additionally, innovations surrounding the autonomous mobile robots “Open Shuttles” and the latest generation of the AI-equipped picking robot “Pick-it-Easy Robot” are presented.

FTF as a Barrier-Free Alternative to Fixed Conveyor Technology

As one of only three manufacturers worldwide of A-Frame technology, the Dutch system integrator Inther Group presents at LogiMAT 2022 (Hall 5, Stand B50) the latest model from this technology segment for efficient intralogistics for the first time. With the technology perfected by Inther, the system integrator offers a highly efficient solution with 1,200 accesses per hour for fully automated item picking of large-volume orders in the small parts segment. Another special product presentation focuses on the stationary single-piece picking robot “Gripp” (Gantry Robotic Intelligent Piece Picker).

Further options for integrating robots into the picking processes can be seen at J. Schmalz GmbH (Hall 7, Stand C05). Two demo cells with cobots for picking and palletizing showcase application examples from the field of bin picking and palletizing/de-palletizing. A novelty here is the vacuum layer gripping system “ZLW” for layer-wise lifting of packages, glasses, or other workpieces. In the second demo cell, a camera-based vision & handling solution with image processing for grasping in the box is presented. The end-of-arm ecosystem “Match” enables quick, automated gripper changes. Also designed for robot-based handling of containers are the new robotic systems that Premium Robotics GmbH (Hall 7, Stand C30) presents for the first time at LogiMAT. The robots with image processing, sensors, and a gripping system operate without layer de-palletizers, shuttle intermediate storage, or conveyor technology and can, for example, directly transfer unstable containers from the consumer goods industry from a storage pallet to a delivery pallet.

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR)

In addition to the concentration of new developments in the area of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) in Hall 2 at the Stuttgart exhibition center, several manufacturers of industrial trucks as well as numerous machine and plant builders present their solutions in the areas of autonomous mobile robots (AMR), carrybots, and driverless transport vehicles (FTF) as a barrier-free transport alternative to fixed conveyor technology. For example, Geekplus Europe GmbH (Hall 7, Stand D51) presents the “RoboShuttle,” an AMR system that promises significant storage density through the use of robots. The key component of the RoboShuttle system is the “RS8-DA,” which, according to the manufacturer, is the highest AMR on the market, capable of servicing shelves over eight meters high. Carrybots GmbH (Hall 5, Stand B67) showcases its driverless transport system “Herbie” in Stuttgart for the first time in a new design. The FTF, with a modular expandable system structure, was developed as a cost-effective starter solution specifically for transporting small load carriers and similar transport goods.

Entry Solutions for Seamless Process Automation and Networking

Also in the area of stationary conveyor technology, international exhibitors at LogiMAT 2022 underline the innovative strength and solution competence of machine and plant builders with numerous exhibits. The Gebhardt Intralogistics Group (Hall 5, Stand B71), for example, comes to Stuttgart with FTF “Karis” and shuttle system “StoreBiter MLS,” presenting a new sorting technology specifically for compact warehouses for the first time. The space-saving “SpeedSorter line” is vertically built and offers a variable number of end points on both sorting sides for high sorting performance and flexibility in minimal space. With a newly developed, standalone container conveyor technology, which is being showcased for the first time at LogiMAT 2022, Dambach Lagersysteme GmbH & Co. KG (Hall 1, Stand F41) presents a solution for the flow of goods in pre-zones of automated storage systems. The conveyor technology component, specifically developed for Dambach systems, is to be offered in the future as a system-independent individual component along with further innovations.

With a “revolution in pallet storage systems,” as Bartels managing director Sebastian Krayenborg puts it, Karl-H. Bartels GmbH (Hall 1, Stand B69) comes to Stuttgart. In addition to stair climbers, the company presents the pallet storage system “DStacker” for the first time. It is designed for very high pallet turnover in a picking warehouse and dispenses one of up to 55 pallets every 10 seconds. Additionally, a significantly sustainable aspect is that the “DStacker” operates completely without a power connection, pneumatics, or hydraulics. The Schmale Logtec GmbH (Hall 3, Stand C53) presents, in addition to the newly developed product line “AGV Connect,” a comprehensively designed transfer station for loading and unloading driverless transport systems (FTS) as a live exhibit, which is intended to provide efficiency advantages and a comfortable entry into seamless process automation and networking.

Efficient Warehousing Processes

The international exhibitors from the field of plant and machinery construction, as this arbitrary selection of innovations at LogiMAT 2022 shows, offer the professional audience a multitude of innovations and solution options for efficient warehousing processes. The system developers and providers present, on the one hand, the latest components, devices, and individual systems in the areas of stationary and fixed automated plant and conveyor technology with compact, flexibly scalable storage and picking systems. On the other hand, they showcase mobile alternatives for internal transport, production supply, and automated operation of shelving systems with driverless transport vehicles and the latest shuttle solutions. “A comprehensive cross-section and overview of the latest innovations and solution offerings that machine and plant builders, system providers, and integrators currently offer for a future-oriented alignment of intralogistics,” summarizes trade fair director Ruchty. “At LogiMAT, professional visitors can finally examine these innovations and numerous product premieres directly, compare them, and engage in discussions with the providers for expert information and coordination face-to-face. A utility value of such quantity and quality is not offered anywhere else to interested parties and the professional audience.”

Photo: © LogiMAT