Mesh Automation

AMR Toppers

AMR toppers are specialized attachments for Autonomous Mobile Robots, enhancing functionality for tasks like material handling, inspections, and automation. They improve efficiency, safety, cost savings, and operational versatility across various industries, ensuring consistent performance and 24/7 operation.

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Mesh Automation > Robotic Palletizing Systems > AMR TOPPERS

Toppers for Autonomous Mobile Robots

Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) are material handling robots that move product from one place to another in a production or warehouse environment. They are autonomous and perform tasks without human intervention by using a variety of sensors, custom integration software and various AMR toppers.  

AMR toppers are specialized attachments or modules placed on top of the AMR  (such as conveyors, lift tables and bins) to enhance their capabilities to handle specific tasks. These toppers are crucial for customizing AMRs to meet the diverse needs of different industries, making them an indispensable part of modern automation solutions. MESH Automation offers solutions tailored to accommodate a wide variety of part sizes, incoming part variability, materials, production requirements, and quality standards.

Functionality and Benefits of AMR Toppers

How AMR Toppers Work

AMR toppers are designed to perform specific functions, such as transporting materials, handling products, or conducting inspections. They can be equipped with various tools and technologies, including conveyors, lift tables, bins, work holding fixtures, robotic arms, and sensors to carry out these tasks efficiently.

Key Benefits

  • Efficiency Improvements: Automate repetitive and labor-intensive tasks and the reduction or elimination of forklift operating expenses ensuring consistent performance and reducing downtime.
  • Safety Enhancements: Reduce the risk to human workers operating in hazardous conditions. Precise movements and sensors help avoid accidents and reduce forklift hazards.
  • Cost Savings: Lower labor costs, lower safety related and forklift operating expenses and increased operational efficiency, leading to faster ROI.
  • Versatility and Reduced Contamination: Free up floor space, reduce building floor contamination such as  hydraulic oil leaks, improve air quality when a propane forklift can be eliminated and minimize equipment/building repair needs from operator/forklift abuse.
  • Consistent Call-Up Times: Eliminate delays caused by waiting for operators, ensuring materials are always moved on time.
  • 24/7 Operation: AMRs can run continuously without breaks, maintaining high productivity levels around the clock.

MESH Automation’s expertise ensures these benefits are maximized through custom solutions that fit seamlessly into existing workflows and systems.

Types of AMR Toppers

There are various types of AMR toppers, each designed for specific applications:

  • Conveyor Toppers: Used for transporting items across different areas within a facility.
  • Lift table:   For lifting a pallet or cart before transporting it.
  • Work handling fixture: Typically used  for moving WIP where the need for maintaining precise location is important.
  • Product Bins: Specialized bins are used when raw materials, WIP or finished goods need to be placed and safely transported by the AMR
  • Attachable Cart: Carts can be used to increase the payload of the AMR and provide a more flexible surface for the product.Typically used in moving WIP in a production facility. These carts have their own wheels and are essentially towed by the AMR.
  • Robotic Arm Toppers: Ideal for tasks requiring further automation such as the process of product picking/placing or machine tending.  
  • Sensor Toppers: Equipped with advanced sensors for tasks like environmental monitoring or quality control.

Applications in Various Industries

AMR toppers are utilized across multiple industries, including:

  • Manufacturing: For assembly line automation and material handling.
  • Warehousing and Logistics: To streamline picking, packing, and transportation processes.
  • Healthcare: In hospitals for delivering supplies and medications safely and efficiently.

Factors to Consider for Integration

When integrating AMR toppers, it’s essential to consider:

 

Application Requirements

  • Task Specificity: Determine the specific tasks the AMR and topper will perform, such as material handling, assembly, inspection, or delivery.
  • Payload Capacity: Ensure the topper can handle the weight and dimensions of the items it will transport or manipulate.
  • Routing and tasks: Define the routing and tasks in a precise way so the toppers can be designed in the most simple and cost effective way possible while considering the docking of the AMR.
  • Charging implications and battery life: The AMR topper can add weight which affects battery life
  • Safety: Topper overhang and bracketry can affect the AMR’s safety system, which could need recalibration.
  • System and AMR Control Architecture: AMR control architecture and system design is affected by the type of AMR topper that is being used and should be defined during the quoting phase of the project.
  • Compatibility: Depends on the design and requirements of both the AMR toppers and the AMR platforms. Ensuring compatibility before integration is crucial for seamless operation. MESH Automation supplies this service. Many AMR toppers are flexible and customizable to fit various AMR models.
  • Handle specific sizes and weights: The topper should support the dimensions and mass of the items typically handled by your conveyor system. Some AMRs are customizable to handle various load sizes and weights.
  • AMR and Topper Matching: Verify that the topper is compatible with the AMR in terms of size, mounting interface, and power supply.
  • Integration with Existing Systems: Ensure the topper can integrate with existing systems such as conveyor belts, warehouse management systems (WMS), or manufacturing execution systems (MES).
  • Communication and data: The AMR control platform should recognize and align with your enterprise system, existing equipment control and mechanical systems
  • Sensors and Accuracy: Assess the types and accuracy of sensors (LiDAR, cameras, ultrasonic) used for navigation and obstacle detection.
  • Environmental Suitability: Ensure the AMR and topper can operate effectively in your specific environment (indoor, outdoor, temperature, lighting conditions). Inclines and declines in the floor can have a negative affect on the function of the AMR. Toppers can exacerbate this condition and must be considered during the design and quote phase of the project.

Operational Efficiency

  • Speed and Precision: Evaluate the speed and precision required for your application and ensure the AMR topper combination meets these needs.
  • Battery Life and Charging: Consider the battery life of the AMR and how the topper impacts power consumption. Plan for efficient charging solutions.

Safety

  • Speed and Precision: Evaluate the speed and precision required for your application and ensure the AMR topper combination meets these needs.
  • Battery Life and Charging: Consider the battery life of the AMR and how the topper impacts power consumption. Plan for efficient charging solutions.

Scalability and Flexibility

  • Modularity: Check if the toppers can work with all the mechanical and control interfaces and
  • Future Expansion: Consider the potential for future expansion and whether additional toppers or AMRs can be easily integrated. In other words, assessing whether the solution can scale with the business needs.

Cost

  • Initial Investment: Consider the initial cost of the AMR and topper, including installation and integration expenses.
  • Operational Costs: Assess ongoing operational costs such as energy consumption, maintenance, and potential downtime.

User Training:

  • Operator Training: Plan for training operators on how to use and maintain the AMR and topper.
  • Programming and Setup: Ensure that your team is trained on programming and setting up the AMR for different tasks.

Data Integration and Analytics

  • Data Collection: Determine how the topper and AMR control system will collect and transmit data related to its operations.
  • Integration with Analytics: Ensure compatibility with data analytics platforms to monitor performance, optimize operations, and perform predictive maintenance.
    • Operate within your warehouse layout: The AMR should navigate your warehouse without significant changes to your current layout. Some AMRs can be programmed with your warehouse’s dimensions and pathways for efficient operation.

MESH Automation provides solutions that accommodate part variability, materials, production requirements, and quality standards. By working with MESH Automation, you get expert advice on optimizing the integration of AMR toppers with your existing systems, including assessing your infrastructure, recommending compatible, scalable solutions, and providing support throughout the integration process.

AMR Topper FAQs

How do I choose the right AMR topper for my needs?

Choosing the right AMR topper involves considering several factors, including the specific tasks to be automated, the operational environment, compatibility and scalability with existing material handling or processing equipment feed systems. MESH Automation can help with the selection of the correct topper for your needs.

Can AMR toppers be customized?

Yes, many AMR toppers can be customized to meet specific operational needs. Customizations can include adjustments in size, functionality, and integration capabilities to fit the unique requirements of different industries and applications. For example, a logistics company initially used manual labor to sort and transport packages, which was time-consuming and error-prone. After customizing their AMR toppers to include conveyor systems tailored to handle packages of varying sizes and weights, the company saw a significant reduction in sorting time and an increase in operational efficiency. This customization allowed for smoother and faster movement of goods within their warehouses. MESH Automation specializes in developing these customized solutions to enhance operational efficiency.

What are some examples of AMR topper applications?

Examples of AMR topper applications include:

    • Conveyor Toppers: Used for transporting items within a facility, streamlining the movement of goods between different areas.
    • Robotic Arm Toppers: Ideal for precise tasks such as assembly or inspection, particularly in manufacturing environments.
  • Work holding Toppers:   Custom fixture specifically designed for a part(s) that would typically be transported for later processing or automated machine tending.
  • Product Bins:    Specialized bins are used when raw materials, WIP or finished goods need to be placed and safely transported by the AMR
  • Attachable Cart:  Carts can be used to increase the payload of the AMR and provide a more flexible surface for the product.   Typically used in moving WIP in a production facility.   These carts have their own wheels and are essentially towed by the AMR.

What maintenance is required for AMR toppers?

Regular maintenance for AMR toppers includes checking and updating software, cleaning sensors and cameras, inspecting mechanical parts for wear and tear, and ensuring battery health. Regular servicing by professionals can prevent breakdowns and extend the lifespan of the equipment.