Flexible Automation for Intralogistics
Optimise your material flow
Why automate?
Scalable and cost-efficient automation is a critical element of an optimal material flow. Automated procedures ensure consistent, efficient and flexible processes. Autonomous work teams execute repetitive handling processes independently and reliably. They improve your goods handling times and help minimise personal injury as well as damage to goods and infrastructure.
Why choose Linde?
We provide automated trucks, the latest technology, and a comprehensive material flow consulting service to help you fully exploit your economic potential. From delivery through to dispatch, we use our comprehensive understanding of intralogistics to analyse individual process steps or entire material flows. Whether an existing system or new project, the goal of automation is always to maximise your efficiency gains. Our offer is not just limited to our automated trucks. Together with our partner companies, we provide everything that you need to automate your processes.
Linde Robotics
An intelligent and integrated solution
Advanced robotic technology can provide you with significant competitive advantages, while at the same time ensuring a high degree of flexibility for operational processes. Highly developed safety systems and software, with versatile connectivity via interfaces, enable fully integrated solutions where man and machine can interact safely and efficiently.
The most profitable solution
The basis of any robotic solution is the standard vehicles of the Linde series production, which are well proven. Combined with innovative navigation technology, which enables robotic vehicles to orient themselves without the need for mirrors or rails, Linde offers with the MATIC range a reliable automation solution that helps customers optimise their internal material flows and significantly reduce costs.
Benefits compared to other driverless systems or standard vehicles:
- Lower installation costs.
- Substantial reduction in operating costs.
- Increased flexibility.
A flexible solution
- Linde navigation technology does not require permanently installed infrastructure such as guide rails or mirrors.
- Our MATIC models can be easily integrated into an existing warehouse or production environment thanks to unique geosteering technology.
- Our system detects structures such as shelves, walls, equipment and machines. This data is converted into a two-dimensional map in which routes and action points are defined, for example storage locations and transfer points.
- Introducing new routes or spatial alterations is quick and easy.
- Our technology incorporates all the interfaces necessary to seamlessly integrate our automated solutions into your existing operational processes.
- Supervisory software controls the robotized fleet in real time.
- In addition to monitoring routes and assigning tasks, the software controls the interaction with rolling doors, automatic packers, conveyors and production machines.
- The application as a whole can interact directly with ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) systems or WMS (Warehouse Management System) warehouse management applications.
- Linde robotic forklifts use a reference map to determine their position in space.
- To this end, they compare the reference map in real time with the structures detected at each moment in their travels by the navigation laser.
Safety and Productivity
The best of two worlds
The basic models of the Linde MATIC series are already equipped with numerous safety elements. With the additional spatial monitoring assisted by camera and laser, the robotic trucks move at all times safely and without significant productivity losses even during interaction with people and in operational traffic with other vehicles.
Not surprisingly, the MATIC vehicle safety control reacts dynamically: when an obstacle is detected, the truck reduces its speed, and only stops if the person or the vehicle remains on the working route. Even in this case, work automatically resumes once the obstacle has left the detection zone of the lasers and the camera.
Furthermore, robotic vehicles can be operated manually at any time. If one person operates the drive unit, it will immediately stop automatic operation allowing the operator to use the vehicle outside of the automated duty cycle to perform an important task.
- Complete safety equipment to enable cooperative work.
- 3D camera for obstacle detection.
- Front and rear lasers for obstacle and load detection.
- Visual and acoustic warning systems.
- Emergency stop pushbuttons on both sides.
Linde MATIC Range
With stackers and pallet trucks, tow tractors, counterbalanced trucks and a highly functional narrow aisle vehicle, the automated MATIC range covers 80% of handling tasks in production and warehouse logistics.
All trucks in the MATIC series can be fitted with optional features and tailored to your specific application. The trucks can be equipped with different drive and lifting motors, different battery sizes, hydraulically adjustable forks, electronically authenticated battery locks, and a programmable height restriction of the mast. In addition, a 2D curtain laser as well as additional laser sensors on the sides of the truck are available for better navigation.
Counterbalanced stacker L-MATIC AC
- Removal and storage of closed pallets
- Handling of lattice pallets and transport containers
- Loading of conveyor belts
R-MATIC reach truck
- Handles medium-high lift heights
- Detects storage locations in rack and pallet openings
- Stores and retrieves loads precisely
- Automatic speed adjustment
K-MATIC narrow aisle truck
- High-rise storage and retrieval in narrow aisles
- Working heights up to 12 meters
- Loading of conveyor belts
Advantages of Using a Linde MATIC
They work safely alongside people
They are user friendly for easy handling
They are cost-effective
Five advantages of geosteering from Linde Robotics
- Networking: The spectrum ranges from off-grid uses to wide-ranging networking with operating systems, machines and facilities.
- Safety: The comprehensive equipment, for example the scanner and cameras, guarantees traffic safety even in mixed working conditions.
- Simplicity: Innovative geosteering with advanced Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) technology does not require expensive infrastructure.
- Flexibility: Routes and waypoints can be quickly adapted to changing working conditions.
- Transparency:The system generates valuable data that allows to precisely optimize the productivity of logistics processes.
Automated Navigation in Narrow Aisles
Narrow aisles, high lift heights, inconspicuous storage areas: the narrow aisle warehouse is profitable for companies, but at the same time places high demands on the vehicles used and their operators. Linde's narrow aisle navigation significantly improves productivity and safety while reducing damage to goods and warehouse facilities. The system is controlled from the customer's Warehouse Management System (WMS).
How does the technology work?
All the necessary construction measures for this technology are quickly implemented. In the narrow aisle, RFID tags are affixed at regular distances to the floor or barcodes are applied to the racking. During translation, the vehicle's detection device reads the data set, which enables the control system to determine the position of the vehicle in the racking aisle.
The central system transmits through a Wi-Fi network the destination coordinates of the storage or retrieval position to the vehicle receiver. On the way to the destination, the vehicle continually compares its current location to specifications, and determines the best combination of traction and lift motion to reach the destination position.
Advantages of Narrow Aisle Navigation
EFFICIENCY
The vehicle travels to the indicated rack location by the fastest route and with the lowest possible energy expenditure. This translates into time savings of up to 25% and a substantial increase in load handling performance.
PRECISION
The vehicle travels to the indicated rack location by the fastest route and with the lowest possible energy expenditure. This translates into time savings of up to 25% and a substantial increase in load handling performance.
SECURITY
The system helps the driver and indicates on the screen the exact location of the pallets of a specific merchandise. The driver only has to activate the drive function. Thus, the possibility of storing the pallet in the wrong location is ruled out.
ENQUIRE ABOUT AUTOMATION
Digitally networked, highly automated. Enquire today to find out how you can optimise your material flow.
ENQUIRE NOW