Arthur Ria
92 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
92 lines
4.1 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: "Cobot (Collaborative Robot Picking)"
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type: module
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sources:
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- areas/cobot/index.md
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related:
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- concepts/picking.md
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- concepts/task.md
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- concepts/stations.md
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- concepts/container.md
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last_compiled: "2026-04-10"
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---
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# Cobot (Collaborative Robot Picking)
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## Overview
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The Cobot module integrates collaborative robotic picking systems (cobots or picking robots) with Easy WMS. A cobot fully automates order picking at designated picking conveyors, maximizing efficiency and productivity for eligible items. Cobot stations always have a corresponding manual picking station nearby for handling incidents and items that cannot be processed robotically.
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The cobot can be incorporated into HPKS (High Performance Picking Station) as HPKS-R, or into any other picking station configuration.
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## Key capabilities
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- Automated picking: robotic arm picks stock from source containers to destination containers
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- Item eligibility: not all items are suitable for cobot picking; eligibility configured per item with handling conversions
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- Incident management: items rejected by cobot → routed to adjacent manual picking station for human handling
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- Conveyor assignment: order picking tasks assigned to cobot conveyors based on line eligibility
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- Tool management: each cobot has a predefined set of suction cup tools for different item types
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## Architecture
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### Cobot components
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| Component | Description |
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|-----------|-------------|
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| Robotic arm | Performs the physical picking movement (source container → destination container) |
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| Tools (suction cups) | Interchangeable end effectors; each cobot has a predefined set for different item geometries |
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| Security elements | Sensors ensuring safe operation around humans and equipment |
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### Cobot station design
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Every cobot station is paired with a **manual picking station**:
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- Cobot handles eligible items automatically
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- Manual station handles: items not eligible for cobot, incidents from cobot processing, overflow
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### Picking conveyor assignment
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Order picking tasks are assigned to cobot conveyors based on:
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- Whether all order lines are eligible for cobot picking
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- Item handling conversions configured for cobot use
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- If a line is ineligible: entire task or that line routes to manual station
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### Item eligibility configuration
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Per item:
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- Cobot handling enabled/disabled
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- Handling conversions (how the cobot grasps/places the item)
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- Tool assignment (which suction cup tool handles this item)
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## Configuration
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1. Configure picking conveyor as a cobot station (station type, conveyor settings) in EasyS
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2. Register items eligible for cobot picking with handling conversions
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3. Configure cobot tools (suction cup set) per cobot unit
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4. Define cobot picking station assignment rules
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## Operations
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### Automated picking process
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1. Order released → task assignment evaluates cobot eligibility
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2. Eligible tasks assigned to cobot conveyor → executed automatically by robotic arm
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3. Source containers brought to cobot by conveyor system; destination containers filled automatically
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4. Incidents → items routed to adjacent manual picking station
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### Manual fallback
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All cobot incidents are resolved at the manual picking station:
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- Physical issues (item fell, cobot couldn't grasp)
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- Ineligible items in an otherwise-cobot order
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- System failures requiring human intervention
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## Errors & troubleshooting
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| Issue | Cause | Resolution |
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|-------|-------|-----------|
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| Item not assigned to cobot | Item eligibility not configured | Configure cobot handling conversion for the item |
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| Cobot incident | Physical issue with item or container | Operator resolves at adjacent manual station |
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| Conveyor not assigned to cobot tasks | Assignment rules not met | Check line eligibility; verify cobot station configuration |
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## Related
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- [[picking]] — Cobot picking integrates with the standard picking process for automated order fulfillment
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- [[task]] — Cobot picking tasks are assigned and tracked in the standard WMS task system
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- [[stations]] — Cobot conveyors are a specific type of picking station in the warehouse layout
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- [[container]] — Source containers (with items to pick) and destination containers (for picked items) are core to cobot operation
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