Accelerating the logistic handling through the wireless sorting and delivery management solution

The global e-commerce logistics market was valued at USD 315.82 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.3% from 2023 to 2030.

With technological advancements and constantly changing consumer preferences, e-commerce keeps evolving, shaping the future of commerce in various ways. This evolution has directly impacted companies, spurring transformation in the transportation and logistics sector.

Integrating a wireless solution with a Rail Guided Vehicle (RGV) is a pivotal component of smart logistics. This integration is rapidly driving improvements in quality and cost, assuring the industry of enhanced efficiency in the sorting and delivery processes.

Project challenges/goals

With fierce competition among online retailers and frequent promotional activities, e-commerce sales in China on platforms such as Taobao, JD.com, and Tmall have repeatedly hit new highs, leading to a surge in logistics demand. This phenomenon has posed higher efficiency challenges for the logistics industry. Logistics integrators seize the opportunity to actively upgrade the infrastructure and processes of their auto-sorting facilities to consolidate their leading position in sorting line applications, aiming to achieve greater efficiency and delivery capacity.

One of our system integrators in China has worked on improving its goods sorting and delivery system by integrating HMI and communication systems in the dispatch monitoring system, the RGV control system, and the human-machine interface. The system integrator must establish a robust and stable Wi-Fi network to achieve industrial-grade data transmission.

Solution overview

Under the above circumstances, the integrated RGV solution enables rapid sorting line automation and provides a flexible sorting system. The sorting path is equipped with tracks and RGV shuttles for transporting goods and parcels. The existing PLC control system uses standard Ethernet
packet communication protocols, so the stable wireless Ethernet communication solution must support seamless integration. Beijer Electronics' JetWave 2212X Wi-Fi access point (AP) and JetWave 2212X Wi-Fi client are critical devices that provide wireless communication functionality.

In the project, each RGV shuttle is equipped with a PLC control panel, connecting the JetWave 2212X client to the PLC control end. JetWave 2212X Wi-Fi APs are installed in each sorting line for wireless coverage, and they are connected to the Industrial PLC host of the dispatch system via Ethernet cables with an unmanaged switch. Since the sorting line path is a loop and operates on multiple layers simultaneously, each sorting/delivering line system must be independently deployed with different wireless frequencies to avoid interference that could disrupt operations.

The Operators play a crucial role in the transport operations. They use the field industrial-grade HMI to check the sorting status and wirelessly communicate with the RGV's PLC. Their actions are instrumental in executing transport operations and moving the RGV to the designated station.

Moreover, as the RGV travels along the track, the vehicle's Wi-Fi equipment must connect to the nearest Wi-Fi AP based on the route's location. All access  points are typically configured with identical SSID and security settings, allowing users to roam between access points without losing connectivity.

With the integration of Beijer Electronics’ stable Wi-Fi devices, particularly those that support Wi-Fi Fast roaming, the technical team will play a crucial role in ensuring the proper functioning of the sorting line. Their commitment to preventing malfunctions is vital to this process, which will also accelerate delivery times and increase customer satisfaction.

Download the application >>