A major manufacturer of hard disk drives (HDDs) has achieved ‘lights out’ operation in its production facility using a unique modular automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) featuring Festo robotic handling technology. The ASRS was architected and designed by DPB Automation, with the controls and safety solution designed by RH Electrical Engineering, and software developed by Lumico.

This collaboration between three companies, together with Festo, developed a modular ASRS to meet the customer’s challenging space constraints and cycle times.

This was a really tough project, with many automation challenges. It also involved working across international borders, differing time zones, and language barriers — sometimes during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite all these hurdles, we were able to push the automation envelope, and the team has delivered what we believe is the most advanced HDD automated storage and retrieval system in the world.