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Strong tiny things: swarm transport system carries 40 tonnes

Replacing production machines is time-consuming. Formic, a KIT spin-off, has now developed a semi-automated transport system for exchanging production equipment that works like a swarm. 

Replacing production machines is time-consuming and is often still done manually with the help of armoured rollers. The spin-off Formic Transportsysteme from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) has now developed a semi-automated transport system for exchanging production equipment that works like a swarm. 

Production machines are getting on in years or need to be replaced due to changing requirements. Due to the high weight and often cramped conditions in production facilities, it is Very time-consuming to set up and dismantle or reposition large machines.

„Our system consists of a large number of separately powered vehicles that can lift a weight of up to 40 tonnes from the ground and move it semi-automatically.“

Dr Maximilian Hochstein from the Institute of Materials Handling and Logistics Systems (IFL) at KIT

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The transport of such heavy loads is the coupling of up to 15 vehicles possible. „These are connected by radio and equipped with cameras so that they coordinate themselves and act synchronously“, says Hochstein.

With the modular FORMIC transport system, a single person can move weights of up to 40 tonnes remotely. (Image: Markus Breig, KIT)

„Machines, systems and goods of various sizes and weights can be lifted comfortably and safely and moved remotely by a single person.“

Dr Benedikt Klee from the wbk Institute for Production Technology at KIT

The controls, a joystick, still have to be operated manually, but the commands are followed automatically. „The load is lifted from the ground and then moved with great flexibility,“ says Klee. „A combination of three vehicles is enough to transport a typical production machine in the manufacturing industry.“

Triple innovation: concept, mechanics and software

The swarm concept itself is innovative, as are the mechanics of the individual vehicles and finally the control software, explains Tommi Kivelä from IFL. Theoretically even more than 15 vehicles coupled and thus even heavier loads could be moved, „but there are still limits to this due to the safety control system.“

The Formic founders want to address service providers for business and machine relocations and companies in particular, who frequently have to carry out internal layout changes or machine transports. Manufacturers of large machines such as machine tools are also among the target group, as clocked flow production can be realised in the manufacture of even heavy machines. 

Formic is funded by the Exist start-up grant, a funding programme of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection for start-ups from science, and is supported in an advisory capacity by the KIT-Gründerschmiede.

Source: KIT

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