Media Release by Konica Minolta
Konica Minolta Australia has announced the availability of the MiR1350 through its partner, Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR), a leading manufacturer of collaborative mobile robots that increase efficiency and drive productivity.
The MiR1350 is the most powerful autonomous mobile robot (AMR) to come out of MiR to date and is compliant with the highest available robot standards. It has a high payload for transportation of heavy items, a robust design for long-term serviceability, navigates smoothly and efficiently in dynamic environments, is the first AMR with an IP52 rating because of its enhanced and protected components to withstand dust particles and fluids, and is designed based on ISO3691-4 safety standards.
Matthew Hunter, national manager, emerging technology, Konica Minolta, said, “The evolution of AMRs, including the powerful MiR1350, has an important role to play in helping drive sovereign capability for manufacturing in Australia. Many manufacturing sectors, in particular food and beverage manufacturing, rely on large numbers of employees to assist with operations. The reality is that, in the current operating environment, manufacturers are facing massive staff shortages.
“It doesn’t matter how efficient a production line is, when it relies on human interaction to put goods in and take product out, there is always risk in efficiency, productivity, and safety. AMRs are ideal for taking on tasks such as pulling pallets from the production line to the warehouse, mitigating those risks and freeing up available employees to focus on higher value tasks or tasks that robots can’t do.”
Key benefits of the MiR1350
- Maximise efficiency. With a 1,350kg payload, the MiR1350 is the most powerful AMR from MiR to date. It is designed to maximise the efficiency of logistics operations.
- Pallet transportation automation. The MiR1350 has specially designed pallet lifters giving it the ability to automatically lift, transport, and deliver pallets. This provides a safe alternative to traditional pallet lifters and trucks that require humans to operate them.
- Safe and efficient navigation. The MiR1350 safely manoeuvres obstacles including humans. Its advanced technology and software also ensure it can navigate autonomously and choose the most efficient route. The MiR1350 is equipped with the newest laser-scanner technology and has 360-degree vision. It also has two 3D cameras in the front to see from 30mm to 2,000mm above the floor, and two sensors in each corner to see pallets and other obstacles that are so low that they are usually difficult for robots to detect.
- Flexible and user friendly. The MiR1350 gives manufacturers full control and ownership of their robot. The MiR1350 is operated by the intuitive MiR Robot Interface via smartphone, tablet, or computer and can be programmed based on previous experiences. It can also be integrated into enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and added to existing MiR fleets. The top modules such as pallet forks, conveyors, or robot arms can be quickly and easily changed for the application it is being used for.
Matthew Hunter said, “There is significant, rapid return on investment to be gained by implementing AMRs into manufacturing plants, particularly for large operations with long distances to cover, multiple shifts, and 24×7 operations. AMRs can be used to not only reduce the cost of labour but also to ensure that these resources are being spent in the best way possible, all leading to a more resilient, sustainable manufacturing operation into the future. Automation is already heavily used by the manufacturing industry in the production line so taking the next step with AMRs just makes sense. Ultimately, successful onshore manufacturing will help drive the Australian economy and let manufacturers be more competitive.”
Image Supplied: www.konicaminolta.com.au
