Automation, robotics and material handling
Automation, Robotics & Material Handling
Drives, motors, PLCs, HMIs, control panels and SCADA, together with autonomous mobile robots and guided vehicles for material movement, approached from the machine, process and site conditions that the automation must work with.
Typical challenges
Where customers usually start
- Ageing drives and control systems with limited spares
- Manual operations that could be sequenced or monitored automatically
- Lack of visibility of machine and process data
- Integrating new equipment with existing PLCs and networks
- Manual pallet, trolley and cart movement in warehouses and plants
- Uncertainty about whether mobile robots suit a site
From components to integrated systems
Automation projects range from replacing a single drive to integrating a production line or introducing mobile robots into a warehouse. This capability covers the components, including AC drives, motors, servo systems, PLCs, HMIs, sensors, switchgear and cabling, as well as engineering services such as control-panel design and assembly, PLC programming, SCADA and remote monitoring, retrofits, testing and troubleshooting. On the material-handling side it includes autonomous mobile robots, automated guided vehicles, route mapping, fleet-management integration and feasibility assessment. In every case, the right answer depends on the existing equipment, the control interfaces available and the safety requirements of the site, rather than on the newest component.
What a feasibility review looks at
For control work, the key inputs are the machine or process, the I/O count and signal types, the communication protocols in use, the electrical supply, safety functions and any preferred or approved component makes. For mobile robots, payload, load handling, routes, floor condition and gradients, traffic and obstacles, charging, interfaces with doors, lifts or a warehouse management system and the target throughput all matter. Gathering these early shows which parts of a project are straightforward and which need further study.
Automation & robotics
Products, solutions and services
Search or filter, then add families to one enquiry list.
33 families
AC drives and VFDs
AC drives and variable frequency drives (VFDs) that control the speed and torque of AC motors by varying supply frequency and voltage,…
AC motors and gear motors
AC induction motors and geared motors that combine a motor with an integrated gearbox to deliver reduced speed and higher torque, for…
Servo drives and servo motors
Servo drives and brushless servo motors for closed-loop control of position, speed and torque on machines, robots and positioning systems where accurate,…
Programmable logic controllers
Programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and related controllers that read inputs from sensors and switches, run user-written logic and drive outputs to motors,…
Human-machine interfaces
Human-machine interfaces (HMIs), from machine-mounted operator panels to monitors and tablets, that let operators view process data, track production, adjust settings and…
Industrial switchgear
Low-voltage industrial switchgear, including disconnect switches, fuses and circuit breakers, used to isolate electrical equipment safely for maintenance and to clear faults…
Industrial sensors and encoders
Industrial sensors and rotary encoders that turn physical conditions and motion into electrical signals for PLCs, drives and counters, covering proximity, photoelectric,…
Motion controllers
Motion controllers that store movement profiles, generate trajectories and coordinate servo or stepper axes in closed loop, used with drives, motors, actuators…
Process control cables and connectors
Control, signal and communication cables and connectors for wiring automation panels, sensors, drives and field devices, selected to suit signal type, voltage,…
Electrical control accessories
Electrical control accessories and signal converters used in automation panels and control systems, supporting drives, PLCs, sensors and switchgear in industrial machines…
PLC and HMI systems integration
Integration of PLCs and HMIs into machines and process systems, covering control design, programming, operator screens, communication with drives and field devices,…
SCADA and process monitoring
SCADA and process monitoring systems that collect data from PLCs, drives and instruments across a plant, presenting live status, trends, alarms and…
Industrial control-panel systems
Industrial control panels that house PLCs, drives, switchgear, power supplies and accessories in one enclosure, built to the machine's or plant's control…
Motor and drive retrofits
Replacement and upgrade of ageing motors, starters and drives on existing machines, typically adding variable speed control, modern protection and communication while…
Machine and line automation
Automation of machines and production lines, including material handling, machine tending, pick and place, packaging, inspection, palletising and custom automation, integrated with…
Remote monitoring and IoT integration
Remote monitoring and IoT integration that collects data from PLCs, drives and sensors and makes machine status, alarms and production data available…
Electrical and process automation
Electrical and process automation for industrial plants and machinery, combining drives, controllers, instrumentation and panels to control equipment such as cranes, conveyors,…
Conveyor and material-handling automation
Automation of conveyors and material-handling equipment, using drives, PLCs, sensors and operator controls to move goods safely and consistently through production, storage,…
PLC programming and commissioning
PLC programming and on-site commissioning for new and upgraded machines and process systems, from control logic development and simulation through I/O checks,…
Automation control-panel design and assembly
Design and assembly of automation control panels, from electrical schematics and component selection through enclosure layout, wiring, labelling and pre-dispatch checks, for…
Industrial automation retrofit engineering
Engineering for upgrading existing automation, replacing obsolete controllers, drives, HMIs and panels while keeping machines productive and preserving the process know-how built…
Controls maintenance and troubleshooting
Maintenance and troubleshooting of industrial control systems, including PLCs, drives, HMIs, sensors and control panels, to diagnose faults, restore operation safely and…
Automation system integration and testing
Integration and testing of automation systems, bringing together controllers, drives, HMIs, robots, instruments and plant software, and proving that the combined system…
Autonomous mobile robots (AMR)
Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) that move materials around factories, warehouses and hospitals without fixed tracks or floor tape, navigating by laser mapping…
Automated guided vehicles (AGV)
Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) that carry, tow or lift loads along predefined routes in factories and warehouses, guided by magnetic tape, laser,…
Mobile-robot material transport
Mobile-robot systems for routine internal transport of parts, totes, carts, medicines and supplies between workstations, stores, wards and docks, planned route by…
Pallet and tow-cart movement automation
Automated movement of pallets and tow-carts using autonomous forklift stackers, pallet-carrying robots and tugger vehicles, for rack put-away and retrieval, dock transfers,…
Warehouse intralogistics integration
Integration of mobile robots and AGVs with warehouse and production systems, defining how tasks are created, handed over and confirmed between robots,…
AMR fleet-management integration
Fleet management for AMRs and AGVs, assigning tasks, managing routes, charging and shared resources, and exchanging status with warehouse, production and equipment…
Industrial robot deployment and commissioning
Deployment and commissioning of industrial robots, AMRs and AGVs, from site survey and design through installation, interface integration, safety validation, acceptance testing,…
AMR feasibility assessment
Feasibility assessment for autonomous mobile robots and AGVs, reviewing material flows, loads, routes, site conditions and system interfaces to decide whether mobile…
Robot navigation and route mapping
Navigation setup and route mapping for mobile robots, covering site mapping, route and zone definition, traffic rules, interactions with people, doors and…
Robotic fleet maintenance support
Maintenance and support for AMR and AGV fleets, including preventive maintenance, technical support, troubleshooting and updates, to keep mobile robots and their…
No matching families. Try a broader term, or describe what you need and our engineers will help.
Describe your requirementHow EKA supports
From requirement to delivery
- Describe the machine, process or material-handling task and the problem to solve
- We review the information and list unknowns such as I/O, interfaces, payload or routes
- A site visit or feasibility study is arranged where the application needs it
- A proposal sets out the scope, architecture and assumptions
- Supply, panel build, programming and commissioning follow as agreed
Industries
Where this capability is used
- General manufacturing
- Warehousing and logistics
- Food and beverage
- Pharmaceutical and life sciences
- Water and wastewater
- Textile and spinning
Related solutions, problems and guides
Frequently asked questions
Can new automation be added to existing machines?
Often it can, but it depends on the condition of the machine, the available I/O and the interfaces of the existing controls. A review of drawings, panel layouts and the current control program helps establish whether a retrofit, an add-on controller or a fuller upgrade is the sensible route.
What is the difference between an AMR and an AGV?
An automated guided vehicle typically follows fixed paths defined by markers, tape or similar guidance. An autonomous mobile robot navigates using onboard sensors and maps, and can usually plan around obstacles. The better fit depends on routes, traffic, layout changes and how much flexibility the operation needs.
What should I prepare before a mobile-robot feasibility discussion?
Prepare a layout of the area, the loads to be moved with weights and dimensions, the pick-up and drop-off points, the number of moves per shift, floor condition, any doors, lifts or ramps, and the systems the robots would need to communicate with.
Bring what you know. We’ll help structure the rest.
Share a part number, a drawing or simply the problem. Unknowns are fine — an engineer will review your enquiry.