The visionary entrepreneur Carl Zeiss transformed many people's lives with his passion. Today, Carl Zeiss AG is the leading technology enterprise in the fields of optics and optoelectronics.
For over 175 years, Zeiss has prospered in the optics and optoelectronics industries while establishing its place in four business segments—Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology, Industrial Quality & Research, Medical Technology, and Consumer Markets. The innovation-driven culture of Zeiss, which prioritizes teamwork and technology, is a fundamental factor in the company's success.
In Guangzhou, Carl Zeiss has a 58,000-square meters facility, a major hub for eyeglass lenses and medical consumer goods. Advanced technologies have been implemented into the campus since its construction, and now it demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can enhance material handling. To fulfill its purpose of giving customers dependable, consistent, speedy, and high-quality lenses, the facility adheres to lean manufacturing principles.
The trusted logistics automation partner since the beginning
In 2019, Zeiss Guangzhou Campus made the decision to deploy a fleet of five Oasis 300UL robots as the initial stage of a flexible logistics solution from Standard Robots. Zeiss wanted to raise staff productivity, allow remote control of the mobile robots while tracking the delivery of materials, and enhance and expand the autonomy of the company's internal logistics with these collaborative robots.
Twenty-two 300UL mobile robots are currently traveling continuously between the Jobcheck 1&2 lines and Kanban Buffers, while two more robots are automatically picking up and delivering customized tables to and from the WIP warehouse. The project was expanded into two more fleets of 300UL robot deployments after the success and confidence in our products and solutions demonstrated by the first five mobile robots. In addition, Zeiss can also continuously check the AMRs, which improves the effectiveness of internal material transportation.
Zeiss picked Oasis autonomous mobile robots because they can handle dynamic settings without needing fixed infrastructure like wires, guides, or predefined paths. In addition, Zeiss's digital smart factory needed the option of a non-linear flow of materials across task operations that the autonomy adds to work processes.
An integrable, easy-to-use fleet management system promotes process simplicity and traceability.
All robotic data can be gathered into a single system by Standard Robots' FMS, making internal transportation and working with the robots easier. Real-time monitoring also enables Zeiss to keep track of its parts and guarantee a timely supply of the appropriate materials from each production process.
Using the Fleet Management System, the production facility could enhance material flow and discover new opportunities for efficiency. The automated material handling solution makes logistics chain management attainable rather than batching pieces to move in various directions.
There will be more projects to improve internal logistics.
ZEISS is influencing the future of technology and continuously developing the world of optics and associated industries with its solutions. ZEISS has a portfolio linked with future growth areas like digitalization, healthcare, Smart Production, and a powerful brand. The success and ongoing growth of ZEISS' technology and market leadership are made possible by the company's sizeable, sustainable expenditures in R&D. ZEISS devotes 13% of its revenue to R&D; this high level of spending has a long history at ZEISS and is an investment in the company's future.
