5 AMRs improve scalability, safety of Mirgor’s intralogistics

Mobile Robots

AMRs improve scalability, safety of Mirgor’s intralogistics5

Argentinian manufacturer replaced aging manually-driven technology with mobile robots and a fl eet management system.

Mike Oitzman • Editor, Robotics

Mirgor is an Argentinian technological company that manufactures and

distributes consumer electronics and auto parts. It also exports agricultural commodities and oil seeds.

Challenge Mirgor is based in the province of Tierra del Fuego, Argentina, with factories in Rosario City and headquarters in Buenos Aires. The plant’s workers experienced diff erent safety risks with the old, nearly manual supply system. The locomotive cars transported screens and rear television covers through busy routes with little order. Even before thinking about acquiring new technologies, the company believed there was no more e cient way to optimize its processes or scale them over time for future developments. “At Mirgor, we took the time to analyze what kind of automated solutions could be applied to repetitive tasks to ensure an uninterrupted workfl ow,” said Julio Haberle, plant manager, Mirgor. “MiR´s robotic systems have not only accelerated the tasks carried out in our facilities, but have also improved the safety of our workers and optimized the supply capacity of materials for our production line to the maximum.” The implementation of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) was a great challenge that broke the paradigm of maintaining obsolete technologies or methods for many years due to being considered “functional.” Mirgor realized that, according to its type of material

The MiR200 Hook autonomous mobile robot can transport up to 1100 lb (500 kg) at a maximum speed of 2.5 MPH.

| Mobile Industrial Robots

transportation tasks, these applications could be fully automated without the need for any worker to intervene directly.

Mirgor’s objective was to improve the safety of its workers and optimize the intralogistics routes of materials for the assembly of smart TV screens to its production line. But with an obsolete and dangerous transportation process, high accident rates were generated. Solution Now, with four MiR200 Hooks and one MiR500 managed through Mobile Industrial Robots’ (MiR) fleet platform, Mirgor’s internal transport has a simple and centralized online configuration. Mirgor has also eliminated bottlenecks and interruptions thanks to the uninterrupted operation of the AMRs.

“With the adoption of these new technologies, we can now easily program and control our fleet of robots,” said Miguel Santana, maintenance manager, Mirgor. “We can also manage our robots with different top modules, hooks or other accessories that facilitate the transportation of the materials we need as they arrive quickly and in accordance with the requirements of our workers on the production line.” “Our robots maneuver safely, avoiding collisions with people and obstacles, going through doors, and entering and leaving crowded areas,” Haberle added. “We are also able to download the CAD files of the building plan directly to the robots and program them using the simple online interface, the use of which does not require programming experience. It is possible to adapt the robot’s mission easily using a smartphone, tablet or computer connected to the network.”

Five mobile robots helped Mirgor eliminate intralogistics bottlenecks and interruptions

and improve safety for its employees. | Mobile Industrial Robots

Mobile Robots

Macon, a certified MiR systems integrator, provided the necessary support for the deployment of AMRs at the Mirgor plant.

“A new generation of autonomous mobile robots is changing the way businesses transport materials within their facilities, and MiR robots are leading the way,” said Emiliano Herrero, sales director, Macon. “With extraordinary flexibility and smart technology, MiR’s AMRs can be used in virtually any situation where employees are in charge of pushing carts or making deliveries. Now it is possible to automate these tasks, so that employees can focus on higher value activities.” Results MiR robots are safe and cost-effective mobile robots that quickly automate internal transport and logistics tasks. The robots optimize workflows, freeing up staff so the company could increase productivity, safety, and optimize the supply of materials to its processes.

“More and more companies are benefiting from one of Industry 4.0’s favorite technologies: mobile autonomous robots. At Mirgor we couldn’t let more time go by to stay competitive in the market and MiR undoubtedly represents a great ally in this work that drives us to improve day by day. We will undoubtedly share our experience on the application of this technology in all our plants to continue carving out a profitable future within our industry.”, Julio Haberle points out. Over the years, Mirgor has developed an excellent logistics capacity, building strategic alliances with multinational companies around the world, and, above all, a production culture based on the demanding requirements of the electronics industry. RR