Mark Grötzinger: Automated guided vehicles and autonomous mobile robots offer great potential for optimizing intralogistics. In order to fully exploit this potential, the value stream must first be known and understood in the relevant environment. The collection of basic data such as material requirements or frequency is the basis for further planning.

Jörg Heckel: From my point of view, the most important questions to ask first are: Are the employees sufficiently involved in the automation project and are they supported in planning and implementation? Is the process of the manual activity to be automated well documented and are other ancillary activities, such as removing packaging material, to be taken into account in addition to the transport task? Are the transport units, i.e. pallets or small load carriers, firmly planned for use and are there AGV providers for them?

Why should a company simulate the use of AGVs/AMRs in advance?

Heckel: "With the simulation, the design of the AGV system can be predicted more accurately - for example with regard to the required number of AGVs and the transport capacity. Once project planning is complete, the simulation model can be compared with the actual operation and further optimizations can be simulated.

Grötzinger: "A simulation helps to better estimate the required number of AMRs and to identify and resolve bottlenecks in the value stream at an early stage. Possible risks can also be identified in advance and eliminated in the planning phase. Users benefit from faster and more economical implementation.

How can AGVs be integrated into production/intralogistics regardless of the manufacturer?

Heckel: The interfaces in production and intralogistics are diverse. One important point is the allocation of transport orders. The VDA 5050 interface is a manufacturer-independent standard that facilitates this part of the integration. However, the interaction of the AGVs with the infrastructure is also relevant - for example, the roller shutter door, which requires a signal from the AGVs for their passage. Other interaction points are the sources and sinks for loading and unloading. There is still a lack of corresponding standards at the control level. These can be created via OPC UA Companion Specifications, for example, and reduce the integration effort.

Grötzinger: We rely on open interfaces across the board. For data exchange between automated guided vehicles and control systems from different manufacturers, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and the VDMA Materials Handling and Intralogistics Association defined the aforementioned VDA 5050 as a communication interface in 2020. This interface means that AGVs and AMRs such as our Active Shuttle can be used universally. Users can combine vehicles and robots of different types and manufacturers in intralogistics. In practice, they are already using the interface under various VDA 5050-compatible control systems in their intralogistics.

How is the safety aspect mapped in the control system/software?

Grötzinger: Like all products in the EU, AGVs and AMRs must also be CE-certified. Various national and international standards, such as ISO 3691-4:2020 for use in non-public areas (Part 4: Automated guided vehicles and their systems), define procedures for manufacturers and operators to ensure the safety of their vehicles. As AGVs and AMRs move freely around the factory floor, operational safety must be integrated into the vehicle's systems.

Heckel: " The complex transport functionality is usually implemented as 'not safety certified' on the industrial PC, for example, as every change in the AGV would result in high certification costs. The safety functions are therefore represented by safe independent logic and the personal protection laser, which intervene in the event of deviations and generally bring the vehicle to a safe 'stop' state.

What new possibilities and opportunities does AMR open up in a wide range of areas - from production and intralogistics to other new business areas?

Grötzinger: We are seeing that the old boundaries between intralogistics and production are becoming increasingly blurred and the two areas are now merging seamlessly. This is where AMR provides the necessary flexibility. As part of our vision for the factory of the future, we show our customers the potential in this area.

Heckel: With AMR, the processes are planned and controlled in software. This makes the process steps transparent and allows them to be continuously optimized. This improves planning in the departments and facilitates interaction across departmental boundaries.

What new things can visitors to the Hannover Messe and Logimat learn from Bosch Rexroth?
Grötzinger: At the Hannover Messe, we are presenting modular solutions that drive digitalization forward: networked hydraulics, intelligent linear and assembly technology and our fully open modular automation system ctrlX Automation. We will also show how our solutions improve the sustainability of systems. On the subject of mobile robots, visitors to the stand can look forward to an exciting use case with our autonomous mobile robot Active Shuttle.

Heckel: At Logimat, we will be presenting customized solutions for inbound, outbound and intralogistics: Hardware and software components for forklift trucks and AMR as well as an extensive drive and control portfolio for high-bay warehouses and process automation. Also on the stand: our easy-to-use, modular Robotics Kit ROKIT. It consists of hardware and software components as well as services for different vehicle types and enables the automation of processes in mobile and service robotics. Combined with the modular automation kit ctrlX Automation, we offer flexible, open and easy-to-integrate solutions that our customers can use for their mobile robots on a modular basis and entirely according to their requirements.

Visit Bosch Rexroth at the trade fairs!

Hannover Messe, April 17 - 21: Hall 6, Stand D26

Logimat, April 25 - 27 in Stuttgart: Hall 6, Stand 6D31