Transport and media
ICT
We are one of the reference partners of the Birex Competence Center with various innovation projects that see the use of latest generation technologies such as collaborative robotics, distributed robotics, integrated mobile robots (AMR) with other types of robots such as cobots, scara, exoskeletons artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented and virtual reality and we develop national and international projects with various research institutions.
Our R&D is focused not only on advanced legacy technologies (SDX in particular), on applied AI technologies in the world of facilitated HMI interaction and on data analytics technologies.
Digitization and automation for a 4.0 logistics
The modernization of the transport and logistics sector allows manufacturing companies to better integrate their production processes with the distribution ones, improving the efficiency of the entire logistics chain. The actions concern: supporting new levels of automation of warehouses and distribution centers; facilitate the organizational modernization and digitization of road haulage companies; encourage more industrialized and automated transport processes (e.g. advanced tracking & tracing systems with control tower and enhancement of control mechanisms such as RFID), also through the concentration of intermodal hubs and their modernization (e.g. digitization of intermodal terminals and automation of controls along the entire logistics chain).
Alascom in intralogistics
In intralogistics, Alascom is focused on material handling from a lean perspective and in particular: in the movement at “ground” level in the plant and at height in the warehaouse in an automatic and “intelligent” way with the use of AMR (Autonumous Mobile Robot) technology thanks also to a partnership with two international playersintegration of movement in the plant to and from the warehouse and the bays with a view to lean logisticsintegration of handling systems not only with the WMS but also with MES, track and tracing and IoT systems for a completely digitalized supply chainautomatic and “intelligent” preparation of the loading bayautomatic and “intelligent” emptying of the unloading baydepalletizing systems both composed (where the items are all the same) and decomposed, i.e. messy where the dimensions of the items are different in the pallet (think for example in large-scale distribution)Palletizing systems also with the use of collaborative robots that do not require cages and allow not to consume space, space which in turn can be shared with the operator.In addition to “turnkey” intralogistics systems, we also offer simulation projects of material handling in the plant and warehouse where we show customers the real benefits that AMR technology brings. We provide not only 3D videos of the simulations but also kpi in the various conditions examined.For those companies that have already equipped themselves with advanced systems such as AGVs, the simulation helps to optimize paths and trajectories that lead to a better use of resources by increasing efficiency.
Main reasons that push companies to digitize
Let’s start from these data that Material Handling can affect from 10% to 80% of the total logistics costs. From some studies, the time associated with this activity corresponds to approximately 87% of the production time. It can therefore be deduced that digitalization in intralogistics helps to improve efficiency, increase productivity, reduce costs and even injuries / accidents.
On this, some data:
In 2015 in the USA:
100 people involved in accidents with their own forklift
35% fatal injuries
135 M $ cost for deaths and injuries
In 2016:
85 deaths
34,900 injuries
The effect of the pandemic on the level of integration
INTEGRATION
Today we are receiving several requests from companies.First of all, there is that of becoming more resilient, that is, being able to continue (where possible) to produce while for the staff it can be organized in a flexible way, smart working, activities during non-predefined hours. and in a flexible way where the supply chain changes rapidly according to situations, where the production process adapts quickly to changes in market conditions (not even in the absence of personnel or with a reduced force). It should be noted that the intent is not to reduce the staff, who would be retrained or re-employed in other tasks, but to avoid the stoppage of production processes in the face of external events such as that of covid-19 which, unfortunately, seems to is making a comeback.
Here technology comes to our aid. Today it is possible to automate almost all the processes present within a manufacturing reality. Two examples: 1) Automate repetitive activities as much as possible with the use of industrial robotics and in particular of new generation collaborative robotics that no longer require protective barriers and that can be implemented in the same spaces shared with an operator. 2) Introduce the use of autonomous mobile robots (also called AMR Autonomous Mobile robots to reduce the use of pallet trucks, forklifts and operators, making the handling process even more “lean” and efficient.
5-year intralogistics: main trends:
Process automation represents a decisive strategic choice for improving the competitiveness of the company. When the processes are automatic, three objectives can usually be achieved: reducing operating costs, improving the level of service and increasing the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the company. This facilitates a company to undertake that path towards lean logistics which is based on having the right storage, that is, having the necessary pieces, in the correct quantities, at the right time and place.This leads to an optimization of space and resources with a reduction in costs and an efficiency.All the individual elements that make up the supply chain will have to be integrated, will have to talk to each other, exchange information at all levels from the field to the ERP.innovation is synonymous with automation, more and more digitized and intelligent machines will be used to support manual work in order to increase speed and improve service. AMR technology on modern vehicles will experience exponential growth over the next few years and will replace current AGVs and partially forklifts.A truly efficient and innovative “4.0” company, and therefore competitive, will not be able to do without Logistics 4.0 to be able to make its performance a real leap in quality.