Sterile supply with AGVs from ek robotics

May 25, 2025 Warehousing Ireland Case Study, News Comments Off on Sterile supply with AGVs from ek robotics

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Safe processes and efficiency in medical technology

A leading German medical technology company has comprehensively modernized its intralogistics – with an individually tailored overall AGV concept from ek robotics. The goal is a consistently safe, efficiently timed material flow along the entire process chain – from sterilization to storage.

 

Automated material flows for the highest hygiene standards:

The company has been relying on automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for years and decided to strategically expand and replace outdated systems in 2023. Three existing systems from a competitor were replaced by high-performance transport robots from the HEAVY MOVE series from ek robotics. These now handle storage and retrieval in a total of six sterilization chambers, where sensitive medical devices are treated with gaseous sterilants. Thanks to four fork arms, the vehicles can transport two pallets at the same time – a decisive advantage for maintaining the tight cycle times in the sterilization process. In addition, a new system has been put into operation that intelligently links the interfaces between sterilization, post-conditioning, and automated storage.

 

Focus of the expansion: the VARIO MOVE fleet

Twelve VARIO MOVE CB vehicles with fork adjustment and counterweights ensure the automated transportation of the reprocessed medical products – on two levels and in 24/7 operation. The route, which is around 500 meters long, runs through particularly narrow structural conditions and requires the utmost precision in navigation. The time-critical transfer takes place at a total of 20 post-conditioning chambers, each with three buffer lanes: a maximum of 60 minutes is available for each batch. A material flow simulation carried out in advance ensured the cycle accuracy of the processes. Three additional vehicles organize the transfer to the storage area. The semi-automated system significantly increases operational efficiency, reduces staff workload and creates the conditions for further growth – with maximum process reliability and economic scalability.

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