Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for Efficient Magazine Transport
Automate the transport of your magazines, reels and trays in electronics manufacturing. The Open Shuttle ASG provides reliable material supply to your production lines – flexibly, ESD-safe and without rigid conveyor systems. Different types of magazines, short takt times and a diverse product variety make handling the material flow a challenge. Our autonomous mobile robots (AMR) provide the solution, bringing the materials to the right location at the right time, reducing manual transport tasks and raising productivity in your electronics manufacturing over the long term.
Why automate the transport of magazines?
In today’s electronics manufacturing, product variety, takt times and material movements are increasing continually. Simultaneously, production lines need to be reliably supplied with magazines, reels and trays. AMRs handle transport tasks automatically and ensure that material supply flows continuously without manual handling.
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) were developed from conventional automated guided vehicle systems (AGVS) and support electronics manufacturers to manage the high product variety and ever-changing production orders efficiently.
Which magazine transport tasks are easily automated using AMRs?
From the supply of materials to the return of the empty magazine: In electronics manufacturing, there are many transport tasks that must be carried out on a daily basis with precision and punctuality. The Open Shuttle ASG handles these material movements autonomously, connecting warehouse, production lines, quality assurance and testing areas for a continuous material flow.
Supplying SMT lines (surface mount technology)
Transport between warehouse and production
Supplying quality control and testing stations
Returning empty magazines
Connection between several production lines
Performing special and express transport tasks
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Why choose the Open Shuttle ASG for electronics manufacturing?
Automatic width adjustment for different kinds of magazines
Designed especially for magazines, reels and trays
ESD-safe for sensitive electronic components
Suitable for clean rooms in controlled manufacturing environments
High process reliability in the supply to production lines
Flexible integration into existing layouts
Open Shuttle ASG: The ideal AMR solution for magazine transport
Overview of technical data
Compare all the Open Shuttle solutions at a glance.
Learn more about the functions and technical specifications of our AMRs.
Flexible transport of different magazine types
In the manufacturing of electronics, magazines, reels and containers of different sizes must be transported between storage, material tower, preparation area and production lines. The Open Shuttle ASG was specially designed for these requirements. Equipped to adapt to different magazine widths automatically, the robot is able to transport different load carriers with the same fleet.
The magazine is also automatically centered and precisely loaded and unloaded from the AMR. The load carrier is clamped on the AMR to ensure a stable transport and to prevent tipping or slipping. For maximum efficiency, the load-handling device on the AMR automatically prepares its width for the next transport job, reducing any waiting time when the format changes.
Reliable supply to production lines with scalable fleet control
Getting started is possible with just one AMR. As requirements increase, additional AMRs and additional transfer stations can be gradually integrated. This way, the solution grows with your production processes – from the supply of individual lines to the production-wide networking of material flows.
With the KiSoft FCS software for AMR and AGVs, transport orders are centrally managed, AMRs coordinated and new AMRs, stations and routes are easily integrated. As a result, the line supply remains reliable and efficient even in the face of growing complexity.
Would you like to learn more about our other AMR products?
Find out more about our AMRs for transporting containers and pallets!
FAQs about magazine transport using AMRs
What ESD protection do the KNAPP Open Shuttles offer for electronic components?
The KNAPP Open Shuttles for use in electronics manufacturing are available with an ESD (electrostatic discharge) certification. The housing, wheels and load-handling device discharge electrostatic charges in a controlled manner. This way, sensitive electrical components such as semiconductors, PCBs and electrical assemblies are protected from electrostatic discharges.
Which magazine widths can the Open Shuttle transport?
The Open Shuttle ASG can transport PCB magazines measuring up to 410 x 400 mm (15.7 x 16 in) as well as containers and cartons of up to 600 x 400 mm (24 x 16 in). Thanks to integrated width adjustment, the load-handling device automatically adjusts its width to different magazine sizes, allowing different load carriers to be transported with the same fleet.
Can magazines, reels and trays be transported in the same fleet?
Yes, they can. The Open Shuttle ASG was specially designed for the requirements of electronics manufacturing and can transport different load carriers such as magazines, reels and trays. This makes it possible to automate different material flows using the same AMR solution, which also adapts to your requirements flexibly.
Can I continue using existing transfer stations and production lines?
In many cases, yes. The Open Shuttle ASG can be flexibly integrated into existing production environments and connected to the transfer stations and production lines, automating material transport without the need to overhaul the entire infrastructure.
How can the AMRs be connected to MES, ERP and WMS systems?
The Open Shuttle ASG can be integrated into existing IT architectures and automation solutions. Transport orders from higher-level systems such as MES, ERP and WMS systems are transferred to the AMR fleet seamlessly. Orders for material transport are therefore automatically started and embedded into existing processes.
Can transport orders for magazines, reels and trays be prioritized?
Yes, they can. Transport orders can be prioritized according to their urgency, allowing material transport to production lines, for instance, to be processed first in order to avoid bottlenecks and ensure continuous supply to manufacturing.
Can the Open Shuttle load and unload magazines from both sides?
Yes, it can. This increases flexibility when designing transfer stations and production layouts so that the available space can be used optimally and material flows handled efficiently.
What happens if a robot is out of service?
If a robot is out of service, its outstanding transport orders are assigned to other robots in the fleet by the KiSoft FCS fleet control system in order to maintain the high availability of the overall system, ensure the continuous flow of materials and minimize the impact on manufacturing operations.
