CASE STUDYAutonomous Indoor Vehicle in Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul

THE BACKGROUNDThe client specializes in the manufacturing, design and servicing of aircraft engines and auxiliary parts. In this scenario, Konica Minolta (KM) worked closely with the customer’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) to address key challenges the client faced during the transport of trolleys. The MRO factory handles payloads that vary in both size and weight, hence to accommodate this, their facility is divided into various sub-units, each serving payloads of differing sizes.

THE CHALLENGEDuring normal factory operation, trolleys have to be transported between sub units and shipping area. At present this task is undertaken by technicians, disrupting their primary work and resulting in a loss of valuable man hours. The task itself is physically demanding as technicians are required to move trolleys that weigh up to 250 kg. This can have negative consequences on workers’ welfare and well-being. Additionally, the trolleys used vary in both size and weight, posing a significant challenge during the implementation of an AGV solution, as most AGVs would require trolleys that have a uniform size.

CUSTOMER BENEFITSKM’s solution effectively addresses key challenges, providing tangible benefits to the customer. The use of MiR, increases productivity as technicians are no longer encumbered by the task of transporting trolleys and will instead be able to focus on their primary work. Additional, the MiRHook is more durable than other solutions, resulting in decreased down time and increased savings. KM’s solution provides flexibility to the customer, allowing them to make changes to their operation workflow with relative ease.

THE SOLUTION Konica Minolta’s (KM) solution centers on the use of the MiRHook 100, which is able to navigate autonomously through the use of laser based technology. MiR is able to carry payloads of up to 300 kg and transport trolleys of different sizes, therefore customers are able to use existing trolleys that best suit their needs.

KM has also developed a custom software with the ability to automate and control MiR Hooks at specific locations and time periods. This software complements the factory’s existing workflow, providing greater convenience to the customer.

Key Benefits

REDUCED BREAKDOWNBetter & more reliable as compared to other AGV solutions. MiR utilises laser based navigation, reducing breakdown caused by AGV running off magnetic track

EASY CHANGES TO OPERATION WORKFLOWMiR Hook DOES NOT require laying of magnetic track, facilitating easy change to operation workflow

CUSTOMIZED SOLUTION KM developed a custom software that facilitates the easy control and operation of automation in the MRO factory

MINIMAL CHANGES TO TROLLEYS REQUIREDMiR Hook is able to transport trolleys of different sizes, maneuvering easily through aisles of various widths.

MiRHook100Konica Minolta Business Solutions Asia

CASE STUDYAutonomous Indoor

Vehicle in Light Industry

THE BACKGROUNDThe client is a diversified health & well-being company focused on improving people’s lives through the development of innovative products. It takes pride in its strong people-centric culture, aiming to develop products that best fit the needs of its customers. Their innovations vary widely, ranging from products in healthcare, lighting and consumer lifestyle.

THE CHALLENGEThe client had previously encountered difficulty implementing automation in its factory. Their use of both a cloud based and track based automated guided vehicle (AGV) were unable to address their key challenges. The cloud-based AGV relied heavily on a stable Wi-Fi connection, therefore its navigation was often hindered by the factory's unstable internet connection. The track-based solution hindered flexibility, requiring the laying of magnetic tracks along the factory floor and making changes to workflow costly and time-consuming. These solutions were also not reliable, resulting in frequent breakdowns and AGVs running of their designated tracks.

THE SOLUTION Konica Minolta’s (KM) solution involves the use of an AGV developed by Mobile Industry Robots (MiR), MiR 200. The MiR 200 is not reliant on cloud-based or track-based solution, instead it utilizes a laser-based technology, making it adept at automating various pushing and delivery tasks and freeing employees to higher value work. Moreover, it facilitates easy changes to operation work flow as it does not require laying of tracks along the factory floor.

KM has also specially developed a unique latching mechanism to allow the MiR 200 to effectively transport trolleys. This mechanism allows the MiR to navigate easily through narrow aisles and support easy loading and unloading of trolleys with minimal human intervention.

KM has also developed Fleet UI, a custom interface software that allows operators to easily control MiR vehicle and fleet with a simple press of a button.

Lastly, KM’s solution includes extensive service and maintenance support to ensure the smooth transition towards automation as well as to ensure that normal workflow of the factory is not compromised by MiR breakdowns.

CUSTOMER BENEFITSKM’s solution was able to effectively address the various needs of the client. Through the use of MiR latching solution, the customer was able to increase productivity by reducing the client’s reliance on manual labor. It is also more durable as compared to other track based or cloud based solution, ensuring reduced downtime and increasing savings. At the same time, the MiR allows for increased flexibility, allowing for easy changes to operation workflow, and requires minimum changes to existing facilities. The use of Fleet UI, also ensure easy adoption of automation, making the MiR robot and system easy to operate even for novices.

KEY BENEFITS

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CASE STUDYAutonomous Indoor

Vehicle in the Manufacturing Industry

THE BACKGROUNDEstablished in 1970s, the client specializes in the manufacture of electrical components, most notably the production of multi-layer ceramic chip capacitors. Its location in Singapore serves as the sales and production hub of the South East Asian region and consists of a large four-storey factory.

THE CHALLENGECurrently, the key challenge faced by the client involves the transport of trolleys from one location to another through the use of an automatic door. At present, the workers at the factory are responsible for the delivery of these trolleys, and their task requires them to deliver payloads reaching 120 kg in weight for a total of 10 km daily.

THE SOLUTIONKM’s proposal addresses the customer’s key challenges through the use of the MiR latching solution, which consist of the MiR100 automated guided vehicle (AGV) and a unique latching mechanism developed by KM.

The MiR100 is an autonomous robot capable of transporting trolleys effectively between different locations. It is also able to support integration with automatic doors. This would ensure that minimal human intervention is required during its operation.

KM has also designed and developed a unique latching mechanism that is able to navigate easily through narrow corridors and support the easy loading and unloading of trolleys.

CUSTOMER BENEFITSKM was able to provide a customized solution that effectively addresses the challenges, providing tangible benefits to the customer. The use of MiR is able to increase productivity, allowing workers to focus on higher value work. Additionally, the MiR Latching Solution is able to maneuver easily through narrow aisles, hence allowing the customer to maximize its warehouse facilities.

1 234 Key Benefits