Hyster Europe's new driverless forklift solutions will enable the automotive supply chain to introduce "affordable automation" for repetitive handling tasks. Hyster® smart equipment can help support Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution, through reliable consistency, with the flexibility of manual use for additional tasks and supporting the "unexpected."
"Repetitive forklift tasks can be unnecessarily costly," says Tracy Brooks, Manager of the Industrial Solutions Group at Hyster Europe. "The automotive industry has been adopting automated technologies in their factories to keep busy production lines running smoothly while reducing costs."
Hyster's 'Driven by Balyo' technology utilizes Hyster® forklifts with integrated robotic control systems to help improve accuracy, efficiency, and reduce damage. The automation hardware and software seamlessly interconnect with the equipment's electronic systems, allowing for manual use when necessary. Camera, laser, geographical navigation, or a combination of systems can be used depending on the application.
"With repetitive tasks, there is a particular risk of human error, which can make damage or delays more likely," says Tracy. "Automating these activities can help reduce these costs and provide good performance in the right applications."
Hyster can now offer robotic tow tractors (LO7.0T) to reliably and consistently transport parts and kits to line feed operations. The tow tractors will automatically follow the required route and autonomously stop at necessary delivery stations just in time to deliver small loads and pick up empty component containers. There will often be human interaction with the robotic equipment. For example, a person may be at a station where the driverless equipment stops to unload and then send the same equipment to the next station.
Hyster's robotic counterbalance forklifts for pedestrians (S1.0C-1.5C) can also be used to automatically transport pallets and storage over long distances, along with Hyster's low-level robotic order pickers (LO2.5) to help retrieve goods from storage areas near the assembly line. By using automation in this way, the operation may become more precise and predictable with less people management and the opportunity to deploy personnel for higher-value tasks.
Initial mapping of the customer's environment for Hyster's robotic forklift operation is completed in cooperation with the customer, including defining tasks and details such as pick-up and delivery points. Speed is a key factor in manufacturing robotic equipment with strict time tests down to the second.
"Automation can be easily integrated into existing infrastructure, such as pedestrian areas," says Tracy. "Hyster's robotic machines are programmed to interact with other vehicles and people. For example, to stop and continue."
In addition to the operational flexibility, quality, and reliability of Hyster® robotic forklift solutions, users benefit from support from a large global distribution network for service and maintenance, parts supply, and technical support.
GAM is an official distributor of Hyster in Spain, offering marketing, distribution, management, spare parts, and maintenance services.
