DHL SUPPLY CHAIN INTRODUCES ROBOTIC ARMS TO ITS DISTRIBUTION CENTERS IN JIRNY AND JAŽLOVICE

• First robotic arm already works in operation in Jirny, the second robot will palletize in Jažlovice after tests at the supplier and installation on site
• Innovative technology increases productivity, makes work easier for employees and helps overcome labor shortages
• The collaborative robot in Jirny can be very easily moved between warehouses, increasing the flexibility of DHL Supply Chain operations

DHL Supply Chain, a leading contract logistics provider, introduces new robots to its distribution centers in Jirny and Jažlovice. In both cases, these are robotic palletizing arms that will make employees’ work easier, further standardize productivity and help overcome the increasingly significant shortage of labor. The collaborative robot in Jirny is already in operation, the industrial robot in the Jažlovice warehouse will be put into operation at the end of May after completing the testing phase.

“I am very happy that we managed to successfully implement another two important projects in robotizing our warehouses. The new robots bring several important benefits. Their deployment will make it possible to stabilize the flow of goods in the warehouse and they are also a benefit for employees, for whom they perform difficult and stereotyped work. For example, they will eliminate the need to repeatedly bend and to lift objects. This eliminates the need for operations managers to monitor each worker’s daily weight limit for manually handled loads,” says Dalibor Ondra, Accelerated Digitalization Lead CEE at DHL Supply Chain.

The Universal Robots collaborative robotic arm with a load capacity of up to 10 kg has been working with the employees of the DHL Supply Chain distribution center in Jirny since mid-April. “This robot can palletize goods from two production line exits onto up to two separate pallets. These can be placed both on the ground for further manipulation with the cart, and on the conveyor which automatically moves the pallets to be packed on the packaging line. The arm works together with the warehouse operator. The robot, equipped with standard software for palletizing, monitors the space around it using sensors. When a person or other object approaches, the robot starts to slow down its movement and eventually stops completely. This ensures maximum work safety,” explains Lenka Michalíková, Digitalization Manager CEE at DHL Supply Chain, about the new team member in Jirny.

At the end of May, a palletizing device with a Fanuc industrial robotic arm will be put into operation at the DHL Supply Chain warehouse in Jažlovice. This industrial robot, which needs to be placed in a separate area (cage with electronic locks and sensors) for safety reasons, will be used for palletizing heavy cartons when unloading goods for transport to customers. The high-performance arm can handle up to eight pallet positions at the same time. The solution is integrated with DHL’s warehouse system, which is the superior control system. It determines on which pallet the box should be placed and how high the pallet should be.

In order to minimize risks, the assembly and basic test operation of the robotic arm was first carried out at the supplier AMTECH, which simulated the warehouse processes. The load testing takes place after assembly on site in operation.

An indisputable advantage of the collaborative robot is also the possibility of moving between warehouses. The migration is a matter of two days maximum, including putting into operation and customizing the software. DHL Supply Chain can therefore flexibly use state-of-the-art robotic technology in its other operations as well if necessary.