ATLANTA — At MODEX here next week, Universal Robots A/S plans to demonstrate how its collaborative robots can benefit supply chain operations. The Odense, Denmark-based company will also display its Quick Deployment Kit for the first time. It described the kit as a “scalable solution for parcel induction, case packing, and goods-to-person tasks.”
The Quick Deployment Kit (QDK) was developed by Plus One Robotics and UR-certified integrator MDCI Automation. The QDK uses a vision engine powered by PlusOne’s PickOne Software and the UR10e cobot arm. It identifies the pick points for items in a pick zone and sends the points to the UR cobot that picks and places each item onto a place zone/conveyor.
The QDK can keep up with fast-moving conveyor speed and is able to “learn” to pick targets via human assistance through a remote alerting technology, said the companies.
“Universal Robots’ collaborative robot platform delivers proven hardware, ease of programming, and a large ecosystem of UR+ partners providing industry-leading products that are tested and approved to work with UR cobots,” stated Kurt Scheffler, vice president of engineering at MDCI Automation.
Mobile palletizer/de-palletizer
MODEX will also be the launch pad for Cross Company’s Cross Palletron, which uses the UR10e cobot to create a fully collaborative and mobile palletizer and de-palletizer (see video above). Cross’ software eliminates the need for complex robotic programming and makes redeploying the palletizer for a different production line or package size quicker, said Universal Robots.
“We are excited to bring this solution to market as we hear from many of our customers that keeping these mundane tasks staffed is an ongoing challenge,” said Lynn Crump, president of the Cross Company Automation Group. “In fact, our customers have reported to us that this system has an ROI of less than two years for single-shift operations and even sooner for those with multiple shifts.”
UR cobots in other supply chain booths
UR cobots will also be showcased in other MODEX booths on March 9 to 12, such as that of RightHand Robotics at Booth 9826. The company’s RightPick2 picking system includes an intelligent gripper, a vision system, control software, and a UR5e cobot. The RightPick platform has successfully completed many millions of picks autonomously across numerous industries, including e-commerce, retail, pharmaceuticals, grocery, and more.
“With e-Series cobots from Universal Robots, we’re able to provide customers with the predictability they need to fulfill orders quickly and accurately,” said Vince Martinelli, head of product and marketing at RightHand Robotics. “Universal’s cobots are easy to work with, and so is the team at UR. They’ve been a reliable and responsive supplier and partner to us at RightHand, giving us the confidence to incorporate their advanced technology into our platform.”
“Numerous factors propel the emergence of collaborative robots in the supply chain industry,” said Joe Campbell, senior manager of applications development at Universal Robots. “This is a quickly evolving industry where fulfillment centers now have a need for robotic piece-picking processes that support a wide range of products and high throughput for the growing number of small-sized orders.”
