The project brief sounds chic: “Smooth vehicle ballet rather than stop-and-go traffic” for the lift trucks in the warehouse. In plainer terms, the project is about achieving a higher vehicle performance and thereby a higher throughput, and about saving costs and boosting productivity thanks to higher speeds even in tight areas (with curves). And last but no least, about maximum safety for humans, products, and vehicles.
The key to more efficient processes is automation. Jungheinrich is very much in demand as an expert in intralogistic matters, especially when it comes to the targeted automation of transport processes. The Development Manager for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) at Jungheinrich, Henrik Schröder, defines his company as an innovation driver in a strategic growth market. “It therefore comes as no surprise that we would undertake this project”, he winks. The “project” he is referring to is the development of an automated version of the hand-guided high lift truck called the ERC213a, where the “a” stands for automated.
A real starting advantage was that there was no need to reinvent the wheel in this case. The automated version builds on the long-standing vehicle know-how that had already been incorporated into the manually guided models in the ERC series, which have been performing their loading and unloading tasks in high volumes for many years now.
The cost factor is also becoming increasingly important to Jungheinrich customers, of course. The shortage in skilled personnel is an ever increasing problem, in particular in logistics. “It is very hard to find employees who can drive high lift trucks,” says Henrik Schröder. This is a real challenge in particular for companies who run a 3-shift operation. Automated vehicles can make up for this shortage of employees.
The end of “touch” driving
A further factor is the damage-free movement of goods. “Ruined product due to run-ins with careless forklift drivers used to be a real cost factor. Cartons had to be protected with expensive barriers.” Henrik Schröder also remembers the traces left by driver-operated lift trucks: “They often drove until they contacted something. With an automated guided vehicle, however, you won’t find a single scratch anywhere.” Using the new ERC213a, goods can be picked up and moved significantly more gently thanks to SICK’s photoelectric proximity sensors, distance sensors and ultrasonic sensors. Furthermore, 3D collision protection sensors prevent the AGVs from ramming into other vehicles being driving around or parked with raised forks, for example.
