Integrating Pick and Place Robots with AutoStore

What is a pick and place robot (piece picking robot)?

Pick and place robots, also known or piece-picking robots, are automated systems engineered to execute repetitive tasks, particularly the action of picking up objects from one location and placing them in another. These robots are integral components in various settings, including manufacturing lines and logistics centers.

The building blocks of a pick and place robot

The primary components of a pick and place robot include:

• Mobile base or robotic arm: This forms the primary structure of the robot, enabling it to reach different locations or items. The choice between a mobile base and a stationary arm depends on the application's specific requirements. Mobile robots are equipped to navigate around a space, while robotic arms are generally stationary but can move along multiple axes to reach various positions.
• End effector or gripper: This is the component that physically interacts with the objects, picking them up and placing them elsewhere. The design of the gripper varies significantly depending on the nature of the items to be handled, ranging from suction cups for smooth and flat items to mechanical claws for irregularly shaped objects.
• Sensors: Sensors play a crucial role in the functionality of pick and place robots, enabling them to detect and identify the items they are handling, as well as navigate their surroundings. Common types of sensors include vision systems for object recognition and distance sensors for spatial orientation.
• Advanced software: The operation of pick and place robots is governed by sophisticated software that facilitates machine learning and path optimization. This software is crucial for tasks such as planning the most efficient route for the robot to take or adapting the robot's actions based on real-time feedback from its sensors.

Pick and place robots can be either stationary, where they are fixed in one spot and may operate in conjunction with a conveyor system to handle objects that come to them, or mobile, where they have the capability to move around a facility to perform their tasks. The choice between a stationary or mobile robot depends on the specific needs and layout of the operation in which they are employed.

The usual role(s) of pick and place robots

Pick and place robots can have the following roles within a warehouse environment:

1. Order preparation: These robots automate the assembly of orders by picking items and grouping them for future fulfillment. By working continuously, even outside of regular business hours, they ensure that orders are ready for processing as soon as the next shift starts, reducing wait times and improving throughput.
2. Pick and pack: Robots equipped for pick-and-pack operations can autonomously select items for an order and then pack them into shipping containers. This dual capability minimizes the need for human intervention in the order fulfillment process, enhancing speed and accuracy.
3. Batch picking: In batch picking, robots collect multiple orders simultaneously, improving efficiency by reducing the number of trips needed through the warehouse. This method is particularly effective in environments with high order volumes and similar item requirements across orders.
4. Returns handling: Handling returns can be complex and time-consuming. Pick and place robots can automate the sorting and restocking of returned items, ensuring that products are quickly processed and available for resale. This role is crucial in maintaining inventory accuracy and reducing the turnaround time for returned goods.

Types of pick and place robots

Certain types of pick and place robots stand out for their relevance and adaptability. Here are the types most commonly used and the areas they’re most suitable within:

Collaborative robots (cobots)

Designed to work alongside humans, cobots are becoming increasingly popular in warehouses for their safety features and ease of programming. They are used for pick and place tasks, packaging, and simple assembly, offering flexibility and efficiency without the need for extensive safety barriers.

Read more: Guide to collaborative robots

Mobile robots

These robots are equipped with mobility capabilities, allowing them to navigate warehouse floors autonomously. They can be integrated with robotic arms or grippers to perform pick and place tasks, enhancing operational flexibility and efficiency in logistics and distribution centers.

Gantry robots

Gantry robots are suitable for large-scale operations that require movement over a fixed area, such as palletizing, loading, and unloading. Their linear movement and large work envelopes make them ideal for handling bulky or heavy items in warehousing and distribution.

Integrating pick and place robots with AutoStore: Enhancing warehouse operations

In the realm of warehouse automation, the synergy between pick and place robots and the AutoStore system represents a pivotal advancement. This integration is not merely a juxtaposition of two technologies but a strategic fusion that significantly amplifies operational efficiency, adaptability, and competitiveness in the logistics sector. As we delve deeper into the practical application of pick and place robots, it becomes clear that their role extends beyond simple task execution to being integral components of a comprehensive AutoStore solution.

3 seamless integrations for optimized operations

The collaboration between AutoStore and pick and place robots is characterized by three critical areas of integration: hardware, software, and material flow. Each facet is essential for maximizing warehouse functionality:

1. Hardware integration: AutoStore ensures a seamless physical connection with robotic piece picking through standardized interfaces, facilitating easy replication and consistent performance across diverse locations.
2. Software integration: The range of software integration spans from basic, direct command executions to sophisticated interactions with warehouse management systems (WMSs), enhancing speed and handling exceptions efficiently. AutoStore compatibility with leading WMS providers paves the way for advanced robotic piece picking implementations.
3. Material flow integration: Customizing integration to align with specific operational needs is crucial. Whether it's integrating with existing conveyor systems or automating carton erection and packaging, AutoStore and its partners leverage extensive automation experience to refine material flows, thereby optimizing warehouse operations.

By integrating pick and place robots, AutoStore customers unlock significant benefits. The reduction in labor dependency stabilizes operations and addresses workforce shortages, while the capacity for robots to prepare orders outside standard hours boosts productivity and extends facility utilization, illustrating the powerful synergy between AutoStore and pick and place robots in driving warehouse efficiency and productivity.

Beyond supplementation: The unique value of AutoStore

While pick and place robots offer valuable support in areas such as order picking, assembly, loading, unloading, sorting, quality control, secondary packaging, customization, and returns processing, it’s important to highlight that they complement rather than replace the unique capabilities of AutoStore Robots. In fact, they are fundamentally different from the AutoStore specialized system, which is designed for high-density storage and rapid retrieval within a compact Grid. Here's how they differ from AutoStore:

Specialized storage and retrieval: The AutoStore system is optimized for storing a vast number of items in a minimized space, using a Grid and robotic Bins that move on top of the Grid to retrieve and store items. This specialization in maximizing storage density and ensuring fast access to stored goods is something that general pick and place robots cannot replicate due to their design for a broader range of tasks.

Space optimization: AutoStore maximizes warehouse space utilization through its unique storage Grid, reducing the need for aisles and enabling items to be stored more densely than traditional shelving or automated systems that pick and place robots might serve.

Integrated system control: The AutoStore system operates with a highly integrated software platform that precisely coordinates the movement and tasks of its Robots within the Grid, optimizing storage and retrieval efficiency. Pick and place robots, while versatile and capable of integrating with various warehouse management systems, do not inherently fit into this specialized Grid system without additional configuration and cannot manage the storage density and retrieval efficiency that AutoStore provides.

In summary, pick and place robots offer flexible, efficient automation solutions across a broad spectrum of warehouse tasks, from order fulfillment to quality control. However, when it comes to the specific demands of maximizing storage density and optimizing retrieval within a compact Grid, the specialized system of AutoStore plays an irreplaceable role. Together, they create a highly efficient, productive warehouse environment where each technology leverages its strengths to support overall operational goals.

The future: Evolving integration and automation

Looking ahead, the integration of pick and place robots with AutoStore is poised for further advancement. The ongoing trend towards automation in warehousing, driven by both collaborative and industrial robots, promises to elevate efficiency and customer value to new heights. With improvements anticipated in hardware, software, and material flow integration, facilitated by the growing expertise of AutoStore partners, the future heralds a landscape of increasingly sophisticated and seamless automation solutions.

Conclusion

As we look towards the future, the integration of pick and place robots with AutoStore systems in warehouses presents a landscape brimming with potential. The ongoing trends in automation, supported by the dynamic interplay between collaborative and industrial robots, highlight a future where operational efficiency, reduced labor dependency, and increased productivity become the cornerstones of warehouse management. The role of AutoStore partners becomes increasingly vital, acting as conduits for sophisticated and seamless automation solutions that promise to revolutionize warehouse operations. As this integration deepens, it paves the way for a more efficient, productive, and adaptable supply chain ecosystem, ready to meet the demands of tomorrow's logistics and manufacturing challenges.

FAQ

What is pick and place in robotics?

Pick and place in robotics refers to automated systems designed to pick up objects from one location and place them in another. These robots are used in various industries to enhance efficiency and productivity in repetitive tasks.

How much does a pick and place robot cost?

The cost of a pick and place robot can vary widely, ranging from $25,000 to over $100,000, depending on the complexity, precision, and capabilities required. Smaller, simpler systems might be at the lower end of this range, while more sophisticated robots with advanced vision systems and greater flexibility can be significantly more expensive.

Which type of robot is commonly used for pick and place operation?

SCARA (Selective Compliance Assembly Robot Arm) and Delta robots are commonly used for pick and place operations. SCARA robots are preferred for tasks requiring high precision and speed in a plane, while Delta robots are chosen for their high-speed capabilities and ability to work in limited spaces.

What is another name for a pick and place robot?

Another name for a pick and place robot is a piece-picking robot. This term emphasizes the robot's capability to pick individual pieces or items, which is essential in applications like order fulfillment, assembly, and packaging.