Today for our column "30 years of ..." we have a chat with our Technical Manager Fabrizio Orlando, an expert in intralogistics systems, in Taiprora since 1994.
Hello Fabrizio, what have been the technological developments of intralogistics in the last 30 years?
In the last 30 years, we have witnessed an important process of automation in the intralogistics sector, especially in the two main trajectories such as handling and storage.
In the dozens of projects we developed in Italy and abroad, it has been shown that the use of automatic handling systems controlled by increasingly complex software has increased efficiency and speed in material handling. In particular, thanks to the use of LGVs (Laser Guide Vehicles) and AMRs (Autonomous Mobile Robots), we can speak of a real revolution in this sector.
On the other hand, the introduction and use of automatic warehouses has considerably improved the storage and management of materials with real advantages such as optimization of space, greater safety, traceability of goods with a view to reducing time to market.
These innovations - LGVs, AMRs and automated warehouses - have significantly reduced operating costs and the likelihood of human error.
What is the next frontier for intralogistics?
The next frontier is to integrate the various software and hardware systems present in the company, managing them with a single intralogistics platform.
Over the years, the phenomenon of the proliferation of a multiplicity of software and hardware technologies within the various plants has been highlighted. However, this has not always been accompanied by adequate interfacing with the central systems: a situation that is no longer acceptable today for companies to have full control of their production!
To respond to this need, we have created Smart Logistix, a tool that has precisely the task of managing the entire company intralogistics flow, interfacing with field systems such as LGVs, AMRs, PLCs, palletizers, etc…, managing the warehouse (automatic, semi-automatic or manual) and communicating with both the MES and the ERP.
In this way we provide a single tool for the company's IT/OT management.
I believe this is the challenge that Manufacturing must face today in order to respond to the challenges of the global market.