Interroll's "Modular Conveyor Platform" (MCP) has been well-known since 2013 and is in use thousands of times. With "MCP Play," there is now an autonomous control solution for modular container and carton conveyor technology, designed to allow 40% higher throughput and improve energy efficiency.
Something that doesn't quite fit into a single category, but is nevertheless an innovation likely to see widespread use, is being recognized at the IFOY in the "Special of the Year" category. In this somewhat vaguely defined category, Interroll is competing at the intralogistics competition in Dortmund with "aluco STRIX," a comprehensive hardware and software solution for optimizing logistics processes – an AI-optimized system combining freight measurement and automated dispatching.
Interroll's new "MCP Play" doesn't actually have that much to do with "AI," admits Uwe Schildheuer, Head of Digital Sales Solutions at the Ticino-based conveyor technology provider. The Modular Conveyor Platform (MCP), consisting of roller conveyors and belt conveyors in various configurations, lifters, switches, and spiral conveyors, has already allowed for the flexible implementation of virtually any conveying task for objects weighing up to 50 kg. But now, the modular technology—almost a tried and tested system—with all its advantages, has been enhanced. A decentralized control concept, implemented throughout using the Interroll MultiControl, replaces programmable logic controllers (PLCs), simplifying the planning, installation, and configuration of conveyor systems. Layout and material flow configuration replace PLC programming. The results can be verified through simulation. At the heart of the commissioning process is software that communicates with the installed MultiControl controllers. Each MultiControl unit also features an integrated web server and bus interfaces. The visualized user interface makes it easy for integrators and operators to check system status and change configurations.
LogisticsInnovation presents
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Another innovation of "MCP Play" is the Flowing Merge function. This keeps the conveyed goods flowing by reducing the speed on the section before two conveyor lines merge, instead of stopping the conveyor as before. This reduces energy consumption and the required connected load, as starting currents and peak loads are avoided. Furthermore, noise emissions are reduced.
"MCP Play" delivers a significant efficiency gain in throughput, as containers and cartons can be transported closer together on the conveyor. The continuous flow and increased conveying capacity allow for a significant increase in the system's throughput.
The reduced data exchange within the system environment resulting from decentralized control leads to lower latency and reduces the overall complexity of the IT environment. Integration with higher-level IT systems such as the WMS is also significantly simplified.
«MCP Play» replaces the previous zone conveying system and its associated start/stop operations. The intelligent control system holistically optimizes all processes within the conveying zones, thus achieving a continuous material flow. The new logic enables seamless merging using a zipper-like principle and shorter distances between individual conveyed objects – a key factor in increasing conveying performance and throughput, reducing energy consumption, and extending the service life of the drives.
U. Schildheuer. Photo: klk.
The modular design of MCP makes it easy to adapt the layout and system settings to new requirements and to reuse existing modules. This is a particularly interesting feature for e-commerce retailers with volatile seasonal order patterns or 3PL service providers who regularly deal with changes in their customer base.
Interroll's users in express and postal services, e-commerce, airports, the food and beverage industry, the fashion industry, the automotive industry, and other sectors include leading brands such as Amazon, Bosch, Coca-Cola, DHL, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, Siemens, Walmart, and Zalando. Headquartered in Switzerland, Interroll has a global network of 35 companies with a turnover of CHF 556.3 million and approximately 2,400 employees.
IFOY audit
The audit, like all the others, took place at the end of March as part of the Test Camp Intralogistics at the Dortmund trade fair. An international panel of experts, consisting of leading logistics journalists from major media outlets, selects the winners based on transparent and independent evaluation criteria. The award is sponsored by the Materials Handling and Intralogistics and Robotics + Automation associations within the VDMA (German Engineering Federation). The Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy is the patron.
The winner of the “Oscar of Intralogistics” at the “International Forklift of the Year” (IFOY) award ceremony, held at the Phoenix des Lumières in Dortmund on July 3rd, will be chosen anonymously.
