Let’s explore together the latest technology used in automated warehouses for industrial storage.
Warehouse automation and optional technologies are interconnected elements that enhance operational efficiency according to specific business needs. The latest technology used in warehouse automation represents a fundamental resource for companies seeking to further increase the value and performance of their machinery. ICAM offers a wide range of optional technologies designed to create solutions tailored to various logistical and business needs. In this article, we will explore some of the most innovative options offered by ICAM, such as IRIDE, Smart Vision, SLOT, barcode reader integration, and robot/cobot integration.
These advanced optional extras help improve warehouse performance, drastically reduce the margin of error, and enhance operational ergonomics as well as the safety of both operators and stored goods. Let’s dive into the details of these options developed by ICAM’s R&D team and the benefits they provide.
IRIDE: smart and intuitive interaction for easier operations
Among the latest technology used in warehouse automation, ICAM’s IRIDE system revolutionizes how operators interact with the storage system, making, item search, picking and refilling operations faster and more precise. It combines both technology and usability to enhance the performance and accuracy of every operation.
IRIDE is an interactive control and management system that, through light beams, a digital dashboardand a control panel mounted in the picking/refilling station, guides operators easily and accurately through each picking and refilling operation within ICAM’s SILO² and RIGO automated warehouses. Operators receive, directly at the picking and refilling station, detailed information,the item to be handled, with the exact quantity requested and real-time inventory monitoring.
Fully integrated with the machine and the ICON software that manages ICAM’s automated warehouses, IRIDE offers four distinctive features:
- Light Picking Guide – Colored light beams on the individual compartment in which to operate, visually suggest to the operator on which area of the tray there is material to be picked or refilled
- Head-up Digital Dashboard – A digital dashboard projected directly onto the back panel of the picking / refilling station, facing the operator, displays relevant information for the current operation.
- Active Control – A control panel in the picking / refilling station allows operators to interact in real-time with the information displayed on the dashboard.
- Adaptive Interior Lighting – The system includes integrated lighting that signals alarms or hazards in case of safety barrier activation or machine stoppage.
IRIDE reduces learning time, improves ergonomics, and simplifies operations, ultimately boosting productivity by reducing picking and refilling times.
IRIDE for Multi-Order Picking
IRIDE interactive system is the ideal option for increasing hourly performance during order fulfillment and consolidation, particularly in distribution settings, thanks to its color-guided multi-order picking. Michele Montaldi, Supply Chain Manager at Gabbiano SpA, explains how IRIDE has improved their operations: “The operator activates six picking lists on the handheld device, each associated with a different color. Thanks to this association, the operator is guided by IRIDE, which highlights and suggests, through appropriate lighting and projected information, the item to be picked while simultaneously indicating the color associated with the destination box. Today, we handle between 800 and 1,000 packages per day, equivalent to about 210 picks per hour per operator.”
Smart Vision: precision and control for identical packaging
Another key feature in the latest technology used in automated vertical lift module/VLM is ICAM’s Smart Vision system. This option is ideal when materials have uniform packaging, which can very easily mislead operators during picking and refilling operations. Here, a camera with an image processing algorithm scans the barcode or QR code on each box placed on the tray, identifies the correct item to be picked, and signals it to the operator via the onboard PC.
Giovanni Accogli, Supply Chain Manager at DFV, a company specializing in painted window frames, highlights the benefit: “One of the most common errors was confusing the paint shade between products with nearly identical packaging, differentiated only by reference code. Since installing SILO² automated warehouses integrated with the Smart Vision system, errors have been eliminated, and operator work has become faster and more precise.”
Smart Vision integrated with precision scales for maximum accuracy
When integrated with other technologies, such as precision scales, Smart Vision ensures precise monitoring of stored quantities, even when handling bulk materials like liquid or powdered raw materials. This integration offers:
- Constant and up-to-date traceability of the exact quantity of available materials.
- Minimization of human error.
- Increased accuracy in picking items that can easily be confused.
SLOT: Selective Stock Access
The SLOT (Smart Locking Tool) device is a picking / refilling station option that allows selective, autonomous access to specific tray compartments based on operator authorizations. The picking / refilling station of the automated warehouses is equipped with doors or shutters that open automatically after personnel authentication via badge or credential entry.
This means not all items on the tray are visible or accessible, and not all operators can handle them. Depending on their role and authorization, each operator can only pick and refill certain items. SLOT offers the following key functions:
- Controlled access to stored materials
- Selective access for authorized personnel
- Monitoring of access and inventory
SLOT Secures Shared Materials
SLOT is ideal for companies needing to store high-value, strategic, or operational items that require constant tracking, or for businesses that manage shared materials and need to monitor usage and operator access 24/7.
Fabio Lambertucci, Production Manager at Dafram, explains how they use ICAM’s SafeBox automated warehouse with the SLOT system to manage shared production materials: “Today, each operator can retrieve what they need to carry out their tasks at any time, even during night shifts, in complete autonomy. This smart distribution system has improved internal operations while allowing administration to maintain full control of the situation.”
Barcode Scanner Integration: traceability and precision
The integration of the barcode scanner in ICAM’s automated warehouses enhances material tracking and management efficiency. Similarly to the checkout process, the barcode scanner can automatically identify and track every item entering or leaving the warehouse, ensuring complete control over every movement. The benefits include:
- Faster storage and retrieval operations.
- Reduction in manual recording errors
- Real-time traceability of every item.
Pick and refill cobot: automation and collaboration
Process automation has become a necessity for modern warehouses, and integrating robots / cobots is a way to increase operational efficiency. Robots can handle repetitive or heavy tasks, while cobots are designed to work alongside operators, facilitating operations and improving safety.
Key benefits of this integration include:
- Automation of material handling operations.
- Reduced risk of injury to operators.
- Increased productivity through human-robot collaboration.
Benefits of ICAM’s latest technology used in warehouse automation
The latest technology used in warehouse automation, such as ICAM’s optional features, are crucial tools for optimizing operational and logistical management. Their integration allows companies to meet specific needs while improving precision, speed, and safety for both operators and goods.
The main benefits include:
- Greater Efficiency: Reduced picking and refilling times with advanced systems like Smart Vision and IRIDE.
- Error Reduction: Technologies like IRIDE, barcode scanner, and Smart Vision minimize human errors.
- Safety and Traceability: Options like SLOT ensure maximum security and traceability for high-value materials.
- Improved Operational Ergonomics: Robot/ cobot integration automates repetitive and strenuous tasks, allowing operators to focus on higher-value activities.
Discover more about ICAM’s advanced solutions for the industrial sector.