ABB unlocks the doors to the warehouse of the future at LogiMAT 2017

ABB will highlight innovative automation solutions at the 15th International Trade Fair for Distribution, Materials Handling and Information Flow (LogiMAT 2017) from March 14 to 16, 2017 at the Stuttgart Trade Fair Centre in Germany. Held annually, LogiMAT provides visitors with a comprehensive review of the entire sector, from procurement to production and deliveries. The ABB booth (Stand EO71) will include the latest robotics and drive technologies designed to provide warehouse managers with the flexibility and agility necessary to open the doors to the warehouse of the future, today. Warehouses, distribution centers and logistics providers are facing increasing pressure today to improve productivity and speed while facing labor shortages and an increased focus on safety. As a result companies are seeking innovative new ways to maximize throughput via the use of automated solutions, including variable speed drives and robotic applications. To be successful these solutions must be scalable, flexible and reliable, as well as able to optimize both processes and controls. This requires increased collaboration between people, robots and islands of automation. Digitalization ties it all together, where actionable information leads to better decisions, and helps distributors unlock the benefits of ABB’s concept of the Industrial Internet of Things - increasing productivity, flexibility and efficiency along the entire value chain. “The exponential growth of order intake in the last decade requires more efficient and reliable solutions. Robotic systems are perfect for the further optimization of this transformation,” says Ali Raja, Business Development Manager, Logistics, ABB Robotics. “ABB’s leading position in the automation industry is helping its customers manage this transition towards greater efficiency and reliability while opening the door to the logistics center of the future.” Using Virtual Reality, ABB demonstrates its robotic sequencing solution, an integrated distribution and eFulfillment application. Also on display is YuMi®, the world’s first truly collaborative robot, along with its Connected Services platform for robots which can prevent up to 25 percent of incidents, and speed response times and issue resolution by up to 60 percent. Connected Services are part of the ongoing evolution of the Remote Services for robots that ABB introduced almost 10 years ago and today, there are over 6,000 robots integrated into the Connected Services ecosystem. “The efficiency and productivity of safe warehousing is increased by utilizing our Automation Builder software suite, the scalable range of ABB all-compatible variable speed drives (VSDs) and PLCs (programmable logic controllers) in combination,” says Antti Koponen, Global OEM Sales Manager, ABB Drives. “Reliable operation of automation device in use is completed with ABB’s life cycle services, resulting in lower total cost of ownership ensuring optimal and safe operation of their warehouse and logistics center.” Also featured is the new regenerative ACS880-11 industrial drive that captures braking energy so that it can be returned to the supply network, instead of being lost as heat. This provides clear cost savings for users in a variety of applications with frequent braking operations such as stacker cranes. Virtual commissioning via ABB’s Automation Builder software suite saves time and reduces risks as customers can simulate their warehouse and logistics applications to verify logic, detect errors, prove quality and accelerate commissioning. With condition monitoring system of AC500 PLCs combined with control and safety, customers can continuously monitor the electrical and mechanical condition of their machines and schedule targeted preventative maintenance.

For more information on ABB unlocks the doors to the warehouse of the future at LogiMAT 2017 talk to ABB Robotics