The Jungheinrich EZS 350a: Automating production supply

At LogiMAT 2017 Jungheinrich will be unveiling its EZS 350a, a new driverless transport system based on its tried-and-tested EZS 350XL electric tow tractor, capable of handling the automated transport of trailer loads of up to 5.0 t. This option means facility operators can automate standardised transport tasks - for example, production supply operations - and redeploy workers for more important tasks.

Irene Pichlmaier,Product Manager for Driverless Transport Systems at Jungheinrich Logistiksysteme GmbH, explains: 'Many companies have daily, recurring internal transport tasks that consume resources, manpower and time. The EZS 350a is perfectly poised to handle these kinds of processes automatically. Thanks to its inherent efficiency and process reliability, the EZS 350a is a demonstrably economic alternative to the traditional electric tractor. What's more, with the EKZ 350a customers can simply carry on using their existing trailers.'

Jungheinrich has integrated its state-of-the-art navigation technology and safety components to fully automate the popular EZS 350XL tractor. Out of the box the EZS 350a features personnel safety scanners that detect obstacles in good time, thus ensuring that the truck will stop if a person crosses its path or other obstacles are in the way. It continues its journey only after the path is clear again. This means the EZS 350a can also be employed reliably and safely in mixed operations consisting of manually operated trucks and workerss on the ground.

The EZS 350a can be easily integrated into the operator's existing IT and network landscape. Existing Wi-Fi installations can be used for communication with the EZS 350a. Using Jungheinrich's proprietary Logistics Interface package, the customer can connect his automated guided vehicles to the existing host system, such as the Jungheinrich WMS or another WMS/ERP system.

Thanks to the standard laser navigation system, no extra floor installations are needed to steer and guide the EZS350a. The only work required involves mounting reflectors on suitable objects along the routes, such as shelves, columns, walls or natural landmarks. Due to the high-precision navigation, trucks can be routed with millimetre-accuracy to predefined stops.

To handle specific project requirements and situations, Jungheinrich also offers customised navigation systems, including hybrid navigation, for the EZS 350a. Although fully automated, the EZS 350a can also be manually operated. This means an operator can comfortably take over to manage any detailed goods distribution needs.

Maintenance-free and extremely energy-efficient 24 V three-phase AC motors power the EZS 350a. The tractor boasts advanced, maintenance-free, lithium-ion storage technology with the associated advantages of fast charging times and a long service life.

Jungheinrich driverless transport systems

Jungheinrich automates its own series-produced truck models exclusively. The inherent advantage is that the trucks are not only tried-and-tested, but also continually refined and further developed. Jungheinrich customises and fully automates these standard trucks with navigation technology and added safety features. The range of driverless transport systems from Jungheinrich includes trucks with a load capacity of up to 5.0 t and a lift height of up to 6.0 m. As a result Jungheinrich can react flexibly to an extremely diverse range of customer requirements.