Carton Transfer Units: A Key Solution for High-Volume Warehousing and Logistics
Besides the traditional use cases of logistics, thanks to the rise of quick commerce and e-commerce, warehouse space today is more premium than ever. However, expanding the square footage of warehouses or cold stores is exorbitant. Hence, decision-makers focus on strategies such as Very Narrow Aisle Racking (VNA) Systems for optimising the racking layout.
Given that VNA requires not just narrow aisles but also rather tall shelves, depending on the human workforce for accessing storage units is as much a work hazard as it is inefficient. This is where Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), such as Carton Transfer Units (CTUs), come into play.
Topic Schema: Carton Transfer Units, a Key Puzzle in Automated Material Handling Systems
Read this blog to understand:
- What are CTUs?
- Key Features and Use Cases of CTUs, illustrating how the robot ensures high-volume material handling
- Scenarios or Industries where CTUs are commonly used
- The factors that differentiate them from other robots
- Why should decision-makers implement a fleet of CTUs integrated with other solutions in their Warehouse Automation System designed and installed by Quinta?
Let’s jump right in!
What are Carton Transfer Units?
Carton Transfer Units are AMRs which have been specifically designed as a storage and retrieval solution, particularly for operating between narrow aisles and tall shelves. CTUs are used to carry cartons, totes, and other shipments of various sizes.
Structure, Features, and Functionality of Carton Transfer Units
Feature: Handling Units
The specialised transportation and Goods-to-Person (G2P) robot sports a ladder-like tiered structure, with each tier built like shuttles, known as handling units.
Function of the Handling Unit
The handling units can extend to store cartons and totes on racks or scoop out shipments for retrieval. Some handling units can also be customised to deal with wide shipments.
Feature and Function of the Mast
Thanks to the auto-adjustable mast (like the two vertical frames of a ladder), the handling units are attached to, the AMR can elongate vertically based on pre-determined pick heights, i.e., where the storage unit shelves are.
In other words, the ladder-like structure of CTUs is made of:
- Handling units resembling shuttles
- Adjustable mast for different pick heights
- Components responsible for navigation
Know the Details of the Navigation Technology in Carton Transfer Units
Like other AMRs, such as Conveyor Mobile Robots, CTUs can also navigate autonomously, sans collision, using a host of technologies that include SLAM, also known as Simultaneous Localisation and Mapping, which integrates cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) remote sensing laser pulses.
Some less autonomous versions use QR Code Navigation systems, magnetic strips, and other path-markers.
We have discussed the navigation processes in depth in the “How Conveyor Mobile Robots Move: The Navigation Technology Powering Self-Driving Automated Material Handling Systems” section of our blog titled: How Conveyor Mobile Robots (CMRs) are Revolutionising Material Handling in Warehouses.
Given that CTUs carry several cartons and totes at once, they usually come equipped with the SLAM navigation technique.
The Customisation Options in Carton Transfer Units: The Secret Behind High-Volume Automated Material Handling
To actualise an optimised Very Narrow Aisle Shelving strategy, the range of both mast height and handling unit depth, which is the maximum adjustable length of the handling units, must fit the aisle and racking layout and infrastructure of the warehouse.
As the AMR’s features depend on the height of the rack and the depth of the shelves, it is best to invest in customisable solutions, guided by full-stack automation solution builders and providers such as Quinta. In this way, the potential of the storage space can be fully utilised.
Further, some CTUs, built for high-throughput environments, have handling units with a conveyor belt or roller surface—as is the case in Conveyor Mobile Robots—to swiftly enable shipment docking and retrieval.
Key Scenarios or Industries Where Carton Transfer Units Drive Automated Material Handling
Across sectors or operations, the ergonomically designed CTUs are an integral part of the Automated Material Handling System. The AMR eliminates repetitive and laborious internal logistics and storage and retrieval tasks, including carton or tote docking, for improved throughput and operational safety. Below are some of the key industries where CTUs can be transformative:
- High-Volume E-commerce Warehousing and Sortation Hubs
- Cold Storage Facilities
- Manufacturing Units
- The outbound section of any logistics operations
Carton Transfer Units vs AGVs & Other Material Handling AMRs, Including CMRs and Automated Forklifts?
The following table illustrates what sets CTUs apart from Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and other Automated Material Handling robots, including AMRs such as Conveyor Mobile Robots and Autonomous Forklifts:
CTUs | AGVs | CMRs | Autonomous Forklifts | |
Workflows | G2P; integral to the Automated Storage and Retrieval System: adjustable height and width | G2P | G2P; can directly feed materials into production line conveyors or sorter conveyors | G2P |
Types of Load | Cartons and totes; can carry several of them, essentially breaking up a potential pallet into small groups of shipments carried in the handling units | Pallets, Cartons, Totes | Cartons, Totes | Pallets, Cartons, Totes |
Navigation | Usually autonomous and prevents collision | Pre-determined path | Usually autonomous and prevents collision | Autonomous and prevents collision |
Quinta’s Value Addition: Implementing a Warehouse Automation Ecosystem with CTUs
Apart from customising CTUs as per the business’s operational needs, Quinta also plans, designs, and builds:
- Racking system layout
- G2P workstations
- Every workflow setup with CTUs and otherwise
Another key importance of Quinta’s full-stack automation services is software-hardware integration. For example, Quinta helps integrate the Warehouse Control System (WCS) software into the automation suite, which ensures that CTUs and other solutions can communicate effectively with each other and execute a well-synchronised workflow.
Want to leverage your fleet of Carton Transfer Units and the Automated Material Handling System at large? Quinta’s experts can design and install a warehouse or industrial operations infrastructure to ensure maximum throughput.
Contact us to know how! Based on your enquiry, one of our executives will reach out to you shortly with all the key solutions and services we offer!
