Lean Manufacturing Through Smart Automation

Siemens Switchgear Ltd., Shanghai expands robotic deployments with Geek+ for lean production through smart automation. • Geek+ deployed four types of autonomous mobile robots at Siemens Switchgear's Shanghai warehouse to build an end-to-end system. • The new robots power Siemens Switchgear's Plan For Every Part (PFEP) logistics model, fully automating both picking and production line distribution. Geekplus, a leader in autonomous mobile robots, has expanded its collaboration with electronic components manufacturer Siemens Switchgear Ltd., Shanghai through the second phase of an intelligent manufacturing automation project. The expansion incorporates more than goods-to-person picking and material handling robots from Geekplus into a multi-robot configuration and opens an additional 3,000 m² of automatic storage space. The system has achieved 100% delivery accuracy with material accuracy exceeding 99.98% on the production line. Siemens Switchgear Ltd., Shanghai first joined forces with Geekplus in 2019, successfully establishing a fully process-flexible automated intelligent logistics factory using four types of Geekplus robots: P800R goods-to-person picking robots, MP1000R mobile robots, RS2 tote-to-person robots, and X-series four-directional shuttles for high-density storage. The entire production process from incoming purchases to in-warehouse inventory management, outgoing stock picking and production line delivery is now automated with robots. Junzhe Yang, Vice President, Geekplus China Region, said: "We are proud of this end-to-end automation success with Siemens Switchgear Ltd., Shanghai. The company manufactures cutting-edge electronic technology, and Geekplus provides robotic technology. The result is a fine example of how well intelligent intralogistics can work." As Siemens Switchgear's business grows, new demands have emerged for storage capacity, material information, distribution timeliness and accuracy. The implementation of the Plan For Every Part (PFEP) logistics model is an important step for Siemens Switchgear Ltd., Shanghai to respond to this new reality. Entrusting the site's operations to Geekplus's intelligent technology and advanced software provides the 360° inventory control that this strategy requires. Geekplus has created a fully automated, flexible, multi-robot solution that brings a fresh approach to intelligent manufacturing. In this second phase of the project, Geekplus added more MP1000R mobile robots equipped with laser-guided simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) capabilities without disrupting operations on the production line. Managed by Geekplus's warehouse management system, these robots autonomously deliver raw materials to where they are needed on the production line in a timely manner. This precise matching of required materials and delivery times reduces warehouse space requirements on the line by half and provides a material handling accuracy rate exceeding 99.98%. While executing this expansion, Geekplus engineers listened to Siemens Switchgear's experience with the first phase configuration. To better meet the customer's needs, the Geekplus team optimized the path layout of the four-directional shuttle storage system and the arrangement of picking workstations. Outgoing production volume increased from 500 pallets per day to 1,000 pallets per day. Additionally, they added a steel platform equipped with a new cluster of P800R robots with low-level winches and square pallet placement to create a second storage level operated by the original P800R fleet in the ground floor material intake area. These additions, along with additional MP1000R mobile robots, were seamlessly integrated into Siemens Switchgear's fully automated facility, gaining an additional 3,000 m² of storage space. Geekplus and Siemens Switchgear Ltd., Shanghai will continue to deepen their cooperation, expand application scenarios, explore innovative solutions, and lead the intelligent transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. SOURCE