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Interroll, a global market leader in material handling solutions, today introduced an expansion to the light conveyor platform (LCP) designed to facilitate the handling of lightweight goods with autonomous mobile robots (AMRs). This innovative offering combines Interrolls’ decades of experience in traditional conveyor systems with leading-edge AMR technology from Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), empowering customers worldwide to streamline internal logistics while serving as a flexible bridge between fixed conveyor systems and production lines.

MiR’s AMRs are versatile robot platforms capable of accommodating myriad top modules and other accessories to enhance their functionality. Interroll’s LCP AMR top module is the newest certified application in the MIR Go partner program, the largest ecosystem of AMR applications with more than 160 top modules that seamlessly connect to the mobile robots.

Problem

Interroll’s facility in Ticino Switzerland, specializing in techno-polymer injection-molded parts, presented a logistical challenge with production on multiple floors. Manual labor was required for material handling between production and the logistics area because existing solutions couldn’t provide the necessary flexibility for multi-floor operations in a highly dynamic environment where people and other equipment move around. Interroll wanted to increase productivity while enhancing safety in a completely automated solution.

Solution

Interroll created the LCP AMR top module for MiR’s robots, which is a conveyor top module. They integrated a MiR250 to autonomously navigate the multi-floor environment, even using elevators, and connect seamlessly to Interroll’s production lines with the new conveyor top module.

This partnership leverages MiR’s precise navigation capabilities and adaptability to layout changes, seamlessly integrating them into Interroll’s production logistics. To optimize internal transportation further, Interroll uses MiR Insights, which is a cloud-based software that empowers customers to make data-driven decisions, allowing them to optimize their MiR robot fleet’s performance and minimize downtime. Interroll uses these insights to identify patterns in the robot’s behavior, optimize mission flows, and reduce inefficiencies.

“Selecting MiR as a partner for the LCP AMR top module was a strategic choice,” said Jens Strüwing, Executive Vice President Product & Technology of the Interroll Group “Like Interoll, MiR is a global market leader in material handling. After testing the MiR robots in our own facility, we are confident in their ability to optimize our internal processes. The seamless compatibility of MiR’s AMRs with our production logistics, precise navigation capabilities in dynamic environments, the adaptability to layout changes and workflows along with enhanced workplace safety make them an ideal fit for us.”

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Results

The combination of the MiR250 with Interroll’s light conveyor platform top module has significantly reduced manual handling and transportation times, allowing the company’s skilled workforce to focus on tasks requiring human expertise, creativity and decision-making.

“Our customers seek proven solutions with the same quality as our robots to easily integrate into their core production processes, and that’s surely what a respective leader like Interroll offers,” said Rasmus Smet Jensen, VP of Marketing & Strategy, MiR. “This compact robot and connected conveyor solution will undoubtedly enhance material handling processes worldwide, even under highly dynamic conditions.”

To further optimize processes, Interroll utilizes MiR Insights, MiR’s cloud-based software that visualizes key performance indicators such as distance driven, completed missions and robot utilization rates. This software provides insights into high-traffic areas, enabling Interroll to enhance robot workflows and throughput. Since the introduction of MiR Insights in June 2023, the MiR250 operates an average of 22.3 hours per day, covering 106 km (65 miles) within the factory premises.

The combination of the MiR250 with the LCP AMR top module has significantly reduced manual handling and transportation times, allowing Interroll’s skilled workforce to focus on tasks requiring human expertise, creativity and decision-making. The company anticipates a positive ROI due to increased efficiency and reduced labor costs.

The LCP AMR top module is showcased at MiR’s virtual AMR Expo today.