CASE STUDY: SIMPLE LOGISTICS PROCESSES AUTOMATION WITH LIDAR SLAM AMR
In small manufacturing enterprises, the need for transportation of materials from one point to another is inevitable. Traditionally, this task was carried out by human workers, who would manually transport the goods using trolleys or other forms of transportation. However, with the advancement of technology, mobile robots have become a viable alternative for the transportation of goods in manufacturing enterprises.
One such mobile robot that has proven to be effective is the LiDAR SLAM AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot), which can carry up to 120 kg and move at speeds of up to 2ms. The use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology allows the robot to navigate and map its surroundings in real-time, while SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) enables the robot to determine its location accurately. These features make the LiDAR SLAM AMR an ideal choice for transportation tasks in manufacturing enterprises.
In this article, we will discuss the use case of using a LiDAR SLAM AMR to transport spare parts from point A to point B, a distance of 45 meters, in a small manufacturing enterprise that produces trading equipment. Prior to the deployment of the AMR, human workers were responsible for transporting the spare parts using a trolley.
Benefits of using a LiDAR SLAM AMR in Manufacturing Transportation
The use of mobile robots in manufacturing transportation provides several advantages over traditional manual methods. Firstly, mobile robots such as the LiDAR SLAM AMR are highly efficient and can work 24/7 without fatigue or the need for breaks. This leads to a significant increase in productivity and throughput in manufacturing enterprises. Secondly, mobile robots are highly accurate, reducing the chances of errors in transportation tasks. Finally, the use of mobile robots in transportation tasks reduces the risk of workplace injuries, as human workers are no longer required to manually transport heavy loads.
Deployment of the LiDAR SLAM AMR in the Manufacturing Enterprise
To deploy the LiDAR SLAM AMR in the manufacturing enterprise, the first step is to install the necessary hardware and software components.
Botshare has developed advanced remote deployment technology that enables fast and efficient deployment of AMRs on a customer’s site without the need for the customer to be physically present. This process is carried out by a remote operator, who can perform all necessary setup and configuration tasks within an hour of the robot being unpacked and turned on. As a result, customers can enjoy a hassle-free experience, with no need to disrupt their own work schedules or allocate staff resources to assist with deployment.
The robot requires a charging dock and access to the manufacturing enterprise’s Wi-Fi network for communication with the control system. Once the robot is fully charged, it is ready for operation.
To transport the spare parts from point A to point B, the robot is loaded with the necessary parts and the destination is programmed into the control system. The robot then uses its LiDAR technology to map its surroundings and determine the best path to reach its destination. As the robot moves towards its destination, the SLAM technology is used to accurately determine the robot’s location in real-time.
Upon reaching its destination, the robot unloads the spare parts and returns to its charging dock. The robot can be programmed to repeat this transportation task as many times as necessary, with minimal human intervention required.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the use of mobile robots such as the LiDAR SLAM AMR in manufacturing transportation provides several benefits over traditional manual methods. The high efficiency, accuracy, and safety provided by the robots make them an ideal choice for transportation tasks in manufacturing enterprises. The deployment of the LiDAR SLAM AMR in a small manufacturing enterprise that produces trading equipment to transport spare parts from point A to point B, a distance of 45 meters, provides a real-world example of the benefits of using mobile robots in manufacturing transportation. As technology continues to advance, the use of mobile robots in manufacturing transportation is expected to become even more prevalent, leading to further increases in productivity and efficiency in manufacturing enterprises.
Calculations:
Productivity` Gains:
We will assume an 8-hour shift with one hour for rest.
Productivity Increase:
- LiDAR SLAM AMR speed = 2m/s
- Human worker speed = 1m/s
- LiDAR SLAM AMR can carry up to 120kg, while the human worker can carry up to 100kg at one time
- Assuming the LiDAR SLAM AMR can make one round trip every 10 minutes, it would be able to make 48 trips per 8-hour shift.
- Assuming the human worker can make one round trip every 15 minutes, they would be able to make 32 trips per 8-hour shift.
- The total weight that the LiDAR SLAM AMR can transport in one 8-hour shift is 57600kg (120kg x 48 trips).
- The total weight that the human worker can transport in one 8-hour shift is 32000kg (100kg x 32 trips).
- The LiDAR SLAM AMR can transport 80% more weight than the human worker in the same amount of time.
- Additionally, the LiDAR SLAM AMR can work continuously for 24/7, while the human worker can only work for 8 hours per day.
Cost Savings:
Human Worker Cost:
- Let’s assume a conservative estimate of a human worker’s salary to be 25,000 Euro per year.
- Over five years, the total cost of the human worker’s salary would be 125,000 Euro.
LiDAR SLAM AMR Cost:
- The cost of the LiDAR SLAM AMR is 10,000 Euro.
- The maintenance cost of the AMR over five years would be 2,250 Euro.
- The total cost of using the LiDAR SLAM AMR over five years would be 12,250 Euro.
Comparison:
- Over five years, the cost of using the LiDAR SLAM AMR is significantly lower than the cost of a human worker’s salary.
- The manufacturing enterprise can save up to 112,750 Euro over five years by using the LiDAR SLAM AMR instead of a human worker.
- Even over one year, the savings from using the AMR are substantial, with a cost difference of 12,750 Euro compared to the human worker’s salary.
It’s important to note that these calculations do not take into account other factors, such as benefits and taxes associated with hiring a human worker, which could further increase the cost savings of using an AMR.
