Open cube storage
Autostore is starting to get some competitors in the cube storage space. But none of these systems are open, and changing from one system to the other means you would scrap the whole system.
The solution to this is to have a more open system where bins, grids and ports are standardized. In addition there should be an API for controlling the robots and moving bins around the grid.
An “open cube storage” user could thus in the future build a grid much cheaper than today and also have competition on which company’s software to put on top of the “barebones API”.
The robots should ideally be built in such a way that they can operate on an existing Autostore grid and vice versa, to allow for a gradual transition to the new system.
Bins
Bins should ideally be produced close to the installation site, to reduce transport costs.
Some producers of bins are:
- Axjo
- Schoeller Allibert
- Utz group
Quality checks of bins
To check that the robot will be able to pick the bin, a bin jig.
Bin recovery
Either use a manual tool to get bad bins our or a robot with specialized gripper.
Grid
Grid components consists mostly of aluminium extrusions from Bosch Rexroth.
Robots
- 8 wheels
- Battery
- lift to pick and place bins
- Wireless control
- Automatic recharging
- Ocado has a lot of 3D printed parts and removed a lot of the casing to reduce the weight of the robot. Something similar should be explored.
How to move robot on top of grid: Lifting beam, robot elevator.
Ports
Conveyor ports.
Controller
– Industrial Rack PC - For all operations.
– ASIO - AutoStore Input and Output unit is where all safety
equipment is connected. – UPS - All AutoStore Controllers are backed-up with a 2 hour UPS – for controlled shutdowns at power failures. – ASAP - AutoStore AccessPoint is the wireless communication
system between robots and controller running at 2.4 GHz. – Standard system setup includes an extra Controller as backup.
Installations
Professional installation companies can be given the technical drawings, bill of materials etc. to build the system.
Examples: