Photo By Della Adame | The AMR pilot will transport repair parts between the depot's powertrain work centers... read more read more
CORPUS CHRISTI ARMY DEPOT, Texas - These are exciting times for the depot. The Autonomous Mobile Robot pilot is another thrilling development in Corpus Christi Army Depot’s modernization efforts. The AMR pilot will transport repair parts between the depot's powertrain work centers for several weeks. The intended outcome is to achieve quantifiable data to support future decisions. The pilot’s key performance indicators will be verification of the impact on queue time, transportation time and overall cycle time.
Director of production engineering Thomas Sandavol said, “This pilot provides CCAD a try-before-you-buy approach with new technology. This effort will help us validate benefits, feasibility and potential obstacles prior to executing a full investment.”
Leaders are currently deciding whether integrating AMRs into CCAD's maintenance, repair and overhaul operations is feasible and valuable. Other considerations include integrating a Logistic Modernization Program to ensure situational awareness of progress and determine the best solution for fleet management software used for all mobile robots, including a platform that integrates data from a variety of sources.
General engineer Adebanjo Layade said, “Currently, the industrial engineering division is working with the Deloitte team and several other CCAD entities to accommodate and accomplish this pilot test, which is expected to last until mid-December.”
In addition, AMRs’ data can determine the increase in the amount of material or items passing through a system or process since the amount of partially finished products in the depot's inventory lowers the work-in-process inventory.
Layade continued, “Metrics will try to show reduced cycle time or increased throughput to ensure materials are readily available for process shops to meet workload demands, as opposed to having materials accumulate before they’re transported to the appropriate repair process shops. They’ll also try to determine reduced transportation time with robots instead of using forklifts and roll lifts to move materials from shop to shop.”
The aviation sector is notably late in deploying robotic solutions compared to other industries, like the automobile industry, because car assembly work is done with welding, which is readily incorporated into robotics. The assembly of larger structures, like a helicopter, makes humans a more viable and safer option than robots. For some organizations, it is not if but when. For instance, Forward Arming and Refueling Point protocols have remained unchanged for decades. Still, the Army under the Helicopter Expedited Refueling Operations project, or HERO, has recently begun revamping outdated aircraft fueling and rearming procedures with robotic fueling and elements of artificial intelligence to make the process quicker and safer for service members in combat zones.
Like many processes, strategy is essential when considering change, especially when working on human-machine integration. Better autonomous capabilities could enable more collaborative interactions between the manned and unmanned platforms, such as distributing parts and components. Automated Guided Vehicles, or AGVs, are used in the depot. It is not a new concept, but expanding the function into logistics by delivering parts and components by an Autonomous Mobile Robot could be vital to CCAD’s modernization efforts by saving manpower and time.
Workstation requirements branch chief John Millet said, “MIR [Mobile Industrial Robots] AMR technology represents a transformative leap for CCAD, enhancing efficiency, precision and operational capabilities. By integrating this advanced technology, CCAD not only positions itself as a competitive force within the industry but also attracts a broader range of work opportunities, ultimately strengthening our commitment to excellence and innovation.”
Organizations must develop, adjust, and discover new ways to increase work efficiency while lowering the costs to the warfighter. Using AMRs has several benefits, such as flexible part transportation with little disruption to the status quo. The pilot intends to provide crucial data and intelligence needed to meet the specifications for CCAD configuration.
| Date Taken: | 11.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 11.25.2024 14:23 |
| Story ID: | 486093 |
| Location: | CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 58 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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