Automated material flows for the highest hygiene standards:
The company has been relying on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for years and decided to strategically expand and replace outdated systems in 2023. Three existing systems from a competitor were replaced by high-performance transport robots from the HEAVY MOVE series from ek robotics. These now handle storage and retrieval in a total of six sterilization chambers, where sensitive medical devices are treated with gaseous sterilants. Thanks to four fork arms, the vehicles can transport two pallets at the same time – a decisive advantage for maintaining the tight cycle times in the sterilization process. In addition, a new system has been put into operation that intelligently links the interfaces between sterilization, post-conditioning, and automated storage.
Credit: ek robotics GmbH
The driverless transport vehicles are equipped with counterweights and adjustable forks. Today, the VARIO MOVE CB is primarily used for intralogistics solutions in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Focus of the expansion: the VARIO MOVE fleet
Twelve VARIO MOVE CB vehicles with fork adjustment and counterweights ensure the automated transportation of the reprocessed medical products - on two levels and in 24/7 operation. The route, which is around 500 meters long, runs through particularly narrow structural conditions and requires the utmost precision in navigation. The time-critical transfer takes place at a total of 20 post-conditioning chambers, each with three buffer lanes: a maximum of 60 minutes is available for each batch. A material flow simulation carried out in advance ensured the cycle accuracy of the processes. Three additional vehicles organize the transfer to the storage area. The semi-automated system significantly increases operational efficiency, reduces staff workload and creates the conditions for further growth - with maximum process reliability and economic scalability.
About ek robotics
ek robotics is one of the world's leading manufacturers and system integrators of innovative high-tech transport robotics for production and warehouse logistics. At five locations worldwide: Hamburg (HQ), Reutlingen (Germany), Milan (Italy), Prague (Czech Republic) and Buckingham (UK), the transport robotics specialist with over 300 employees creates intelligent, networked and flexible transport solutions for the fully automated, internal material flow of its globally active customers. With over 60 years of expertise, ek robotics continues to set new standards in the automation industry and benefits from decades of experience in the development, production, integration and turnkey delivery of automated guided vehicles (AGVs). With convincing support over the entire AGV life cycle, the AGV manufacturer continues to assist its global customers even decades after commissioning.