Industrial robots that autonomously lift and move loads and navigate through space using QR codes? What sounds like science fiction has been reality for more than a decade. But many companies are only now discovering the potential of this technology for their internal logistics. Linde Material Handling (MH) already offers its customers a comprehensive automation portfolio here. With the Linde C-MATIC transport robots, the company is now expanding this to include three compact, agile and flexibly deployable logistics helpers for horizontal goods movements in warehouses and production.
The new compact "platforms on wheels" can now move loads of up to 600, 1,000 or 1,500 kilograms even faster and more agilely. They have dimensions of around one meter in both width and length and can both turn on the spot and rotate the picked-up load. They therefore require little space for travel or turning maneuvers and are therefore also suitable for confined warehouses.
On the one hand, a pallet can be picked up directly or via a fixed adapter plate by a transfer station or roller conveyor. On the other hand, the load can be picked up by a transport table that can be moved underneath and on which the goods or a pallet or pallet cage are stored. A QR code placed centrally under the table ensures that the transported goods are not only picked up centrally and correctly aligned, but can also be clearly identified. This makes the goods and their path in the plant traceable.
The handling of the goods is fully automatic. The Linde C-MATIC first moves to a defined transfer point. There, it positions the load pickup surface centrally under the transport table or under the pallet stored in a transfer rack. The device then lifts the load and brings it to the designated deposit area at a speed of up to 7.2 km/h. The C-MATIC then lifts the load and brings it to the designated deposit area at a speed of up to 7.2 km/h. To guide the Linde C-MATIC safely through the space, the QR camera installed on the vehicle detects QR codes placed in a grid pattern on the floor. The transport robots receive the information on the destination located at a short to medium distance from a warehouse management system, such as the "Linde Warehouse Navigator". The vehicle software determines the optimal route through the building for each individual transport job.
To prevent a collision from occurring during the journey, a laser scanner is used to detect moving or stationary obstacles at an early stage. The speed of the Linde C-MATIC is adapted to the respective situation. Thus, the device remains stationary until people and vehicles have left the monitoring zone. A visual and acoustic warning additionally helps to avoid the risk of a collision. Separate emergency stop switches on all four sides also allow manual intervention. Mechanical shock absorbers fitted all around protect the unit from collision damage. Fixed obstacles are also bypassed by the vehicle itself.
The Linde C-MATIC is primarily used for line transport between two points. However, the transport robots can also interact with other autonomous or automated vehicles such as narrow-aisle trucks, reach trucks or high-lift trucks by placing or picking up goods at defined transfer points. Charging of the lithium-ion battery is also software-controlled. As soon as the charge level falls below a defined level or no further driving job is planned, the vehicle moves to the self-loading station and waits there for the next job.