British company ADM Automation has equipped its iCart AGV with Kassow Robots’ first Edge Edition collaborative robot. The mobile unit retrieves boxes with parts from storage and passes them to an operator for assembly. The proof-of-concept application was set up in a factory in Durham, UK.
Due to safety reasons and space constraints, factories use large AGVs and traditional forklifts for heavy loads and complex tasks. What may seem like a simple process on the factory floor is actually the result of advanced planning. To improve productivity, the manufacturer is looking for ways to reduce reliance on forklifts and instead invest in automation solutions that work in harmony with its employees. For this project, they worked with ADM Automation, the UK-based manufacturer of iCart AGVs. iCart offers a range of autonomous carts that can tow up to two tonnes of payload. iCarts are already being used successfully within the facility.
iCart’s Mk2 AGV is equipped with a KR1205 Edge Edition collaborative robot from Kassow Robots, allowing the customer to do some initial testing of this flexible, collaborative mobile solution.
One of the challenges of mounting a robot on an AGV is compactness. With its integrated control and seventh axis, the Kassow robot gives us the flexibility we need for a variety of applications. It’s a major advancement in robotics. Chris Smith, Managing Director of ADM Automation, says putting wheels on a collaborative robot is a dream come true.
In a model application, an iCart with an assembled KR1205 retrieves components from storage and delivers them for final assembly. Currently, employees have to walk hundreds of meters to the storage location during their shift, which is neither convenient nor adds value. The iCart travels to the designated picking location, places a customized gripper under the box, lifts it up and carries it through the factory to the work station. The KR1205 Edge Edition is powered by the iCart’s built-in battery. One of its main advantages is its low power consumption, which easily exceeds 6-7 hours at full load.
Customers are constantly looking for ways to improve the productivity of their production facilities. Solutions like the iCart allow them to increase efficiency while reducing potential safety risks for employees caused by high traffic in the workshop. The customer and ADM Automation will continue to work together to integrate additional mobile solutions that address challenges within logistics, and the pilot integration of Kassow Robots Edge Edition on the iCart AGV has proven to be a solid foundation for future projects.