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Automating Warehouse Logistics at “Logis Osaka” – YAMAZEN Corporation

YAMAZEN Corporation, a specialized trading company handling machine tools and industrial equipment, has introduced the autonomous mobile robot “Lexx500” at “Logis Osaka,” its most critical logistics hub in western Japan. By automating the transportation of six-wheel carts loaded with products, the company has significantly reduced both transport time and labor.

Overview of the Case

“Logis Osaka” is a large-scale logistics center with a total floor area exceeding 17,000 square meters. It primarily handles the storage and shipment of tools used in manufacturing sites. At this facility, YAMAZEN has deployed 10 units of Lexx500 to automate the transportation of six-wheel carts. Each Lexx500 is equipped with the “LexxTug” towing extension, enabling it to autonomously attach and detach from unmodified six-wheel carts without human intervention.

Challenges Before Implementation & Benefits After Deployment

Challenges Before Implementation

Employees manually transported six-wheel carts loaded with picked products, leading to a high workload.

The logistics facility had multiple starting and destination points for transport, making it difficult to implement traditional AGVs with fixed routes.

Benefits After Deployment

The automation of six-wheel cart transport using Lexx500 has reduced the workload for employees.

The adoption of LexxTug has allowed the continued use of existing six-wheel carts without modification.

Customer’s Perspective (YAMAZEN Corporation)

In April 2024, we moved into a new warehouse with a layout of 100m in depth and 182m in width, featuring a single-sided berth structure. Using a fixed conveyor system for transport would have divided the warehouse, so we opted for an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) like Lexx500 to ensure flexibility in the movement of people and goods.

One of the most significant advantages is the reduction of employee workload. If a worker were to transport products over the longest distance of 180 meters manually, it would result in a round-trip movement of 360 meters. By using AMRs for transport, employees can focus on other material handling tasks, reducing both travel time and physical strain.
Additionally, for tasks with relatively short lead times from order to shipment, we previously had to wait until a sufficient volume of picked products accumulated before transporting them. With Lexx500, we can now prioritize and transport even small quantities of high-priority items as needed.

Another major benefit is improved workplace safety. By introducing Lexx500 (AMR), we have been able to clearly separate forklift operation areas from AMR operation zones, reducing the risk of collisions between workers and forklifts.