After a demonstrator project has been successfully in use since 2023, Wago GmbH & Co. KG, a provider of electrical components for connection technology, has decided to scale the mobile robot solution they are using. In the future, a total of four mobile robots of the type "SOTO" from the Jungheinrich subsidiary Magazino will take over the fully automated supply and disposal of the injection molding machines with small load carriers (KLTs) in three-shift operation. Jungheinrich announced this in a press release.
The use of a SOTO robot, which started as a pilot project in 2023, convinced Wago with its efficiency and flexibility in the production environment. The mobile robots take over
the transport of empty KLTs to the production machines and transport finished parts from production to the logistics area.
“SOTO has proven to be a future-proof solution in our production supply," explains Thorben Eppmann, Technical Process Engineer at Wago. “After the positive experiences with SOTO during the demonstrator operation, we are moving further with a fleet expansion. In the future, our employees will be even more relieved of physically demanding tasks and can fully concentrate on value-adding activities.”
It is particularly important to the company that SOTO can transport several KLTs at the same time. This reduces vehicle traffic in the production area and at the same time increases supply security. The
omnidirectional drive enables precise maneuvering even in aisles only 1.65 meters wide - an advantage in the company's tight machinery park.
Uninterrupted operation 24/7
According to Jungheinrich, the autonomous navigation occurs without artificial landmarks: With its four laser scanners and two 3D cameras, SOTO independently orients itself using the room contours. It navigates independently and reliably along the permitted paths, while the 360-degree safety sensors detect unexpected people and objects. If there is danger, it immediately comes to a halt. At the same time, maintenance-free lithium-ion technology with automatic intermediate charging enables uninterrupted 24/7 operation, according to the forklift and robotics provider.
According to Jungheinrich, the fleet is fully VDA 5050 compatible
and is coordinated via a manufacturer-independent control system. This standardized interface guarantees more flexibility and expandability. A conveyor technology concept in the logistics area and a customer-specific shelf design at the injection molding machines are the transfer points for the SOTO robots. They are intended to provide improved decoupling between production and logistics.
“The successful scaling demonstrates the enormous potential of mobile robots for the German industry,” emphasizes Magazino Sales Manager Paul Seluga. His colleague Janik Brinmühl, Project Manager Intralogistics Systems at Jungheinrich, adds: “By expanding the automation solution, Wago increases the performance of its in-house logistics and creates room for further growth.”
The commissioning of the expanded fleet is planned for
