Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co KG and W. Gessmann GmbH, a supplier of robotics and system solutions, have partnered up to showcase their robotic capabilities and provide future customers the opportunity to have a vending machine supply materials directly to a workstation.
The special solution aims to optimise decentralised material dispensing, reduce the workload on employees and at the same time increase efficiency, flexibility and safety. The GESSbot Gb350, an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) from Gessmann, automates internal transport quickly and cost-effectively, enabling Würth’s ORSY®mat vending machine to supply materials right up to the workstation.
Thanks to the special sensors that map the surrounding, the robot follows every defined route, travels to workstations and charging stations and makes itself aware of obstacles. In future, it will even be possible to use lifts across several floors. In combination with the digital iDISPLAY and Würth Industrie Service’s own software solution, the mobile GESSbot including ORSY®mat can be navigated from ‘A to B’ easily. Each workstation is equipped with an iDISPLAY, which displays the pre-programmed routes that can be selected and requested by the respective employee.
These are clearly structured and are sorted in the order of incoming orders. It is also possible to request urgent requirements immediately by prioritising the route.
The GESSbot Gb350 itself is also equipped with an integrated display that can communicate with employees in the immediate vicinity. With a possible load capacity of 350kg, and a weight of 150kg, the mobile ORSY®mat reaches a maximum speed of up to 4.3km per hour –
equivalent to half a walking speed – on a maximum gradient of 5%.
Power is easily supplied by the robot, which finds its own way to the charging station, in a timely manner, docks and charges fully automatically. In the series version, the ORSY®mat will be installed on an autonomous rack that is supplied inductively via the GESSbot. This means the racks remain mobile and a single GESSbot can transport several vending machines to different locations.
The smart solution for material management
Auxiliary and operating materials such as sanding discs, drills, hand tools or protective gloves have a major impact on procurement due to their irregular requirements – with a wide variety of items, and their shortage, possibly bringing the entire production to a standstill. The key to efficiency is achieved with the reliable ORSY®mat vending machine solutions.
Today more than 1,800 vending machines, at over 400 customers in 650 different storage locations, are already ensuring more productive materials management. Customers from manufacturing industries can benefit from perfect and organised stocking, automatic replenishment, transparent inventory control and more productive materials management for indirect materials – from tools and technical chemicals to personal protective equipment (PPE).
The system communicates directly with the ERP system of Würth Industrie Service, thus allowing the customers to monitor inventory and material withdrawals in ‘real time’. Different variants of the vending machine models are available in order to fulfil individual customer requirements optimally. Whether it is the ORSY®mat FP flap vending machine, ORSY®mat HX helix vending machine, ORSY®mat RT rotating vending machine, ORSY®mat DR Light drawer vending machine or even the latest developments like the ORSY®mat WGT weighing system, as well as the ORSY®mat CHE hazardous materials system – work gets done better with these stocked vending machines.
With the feasibility study of the mobile ORSY®mat, Würth Industrie Service and Gessmann are making it possible to supply materials right to the workstation. However, the prototype is not only impressive in terms of safety, as high-quality items in particular can be stored securely, it also proves to be an ideal co-worker thanks to its mobile transport from workstation to workstation. The complete transparency of all transactions, withdrawals, and orders, enables an immense reduction in consumption. Customers benefit from maximum savings in their process costs by taking over the requirement assessment, requirement notification, reordering, goods delivery and optional on-site system replenishment.
Biog
Having spent a decade in the fastener industry experiencing every facet – from steel mills, fastener manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, as well as machinery builders and plating + coating companies, Claire has developed an in-depth knowledge of all things fasteners.
Alongside visiting numerous companies, exhibitions and conferences around the world, Claire has also interviewed high profile figures – focusing on key topics impacting the sector and making sure readers stay up to date with the latest developments within the industry.
