Automation

Automatic Guided Vehicles

Automatic Guided Vehicles (AGV’s) provide for the unattended movement of product from one location to another. The origin and destination points may be the only two locations on the system or there could be hundreds of origin/destination points. Modern AGV systems are capable of picking up a load at virtually any location and delivering it to any destination. Some systems even allow the vehicles to travel off the prescribed path to pickup or deliver a load. 

The actual vehicle used in these systems may be customized to accommodate most any type of load, from mail or loose parts on a shelf type vehicle, to a many thousand pound roll of newspaper stock. With the larger unit loads, the vehicles are generally automatically loaded and unloaded at specific pickup and delivery (P&D) stations, thus increasing the efficiency of the system. 

AGV’s can be guided by a wire imbedded in the floor, a chemical or optical trail laid on the floor or by mapping the area to be traversed. AGV systems are not confined to a single building, they can transport product or work in process (WIP) between buildings or between building levels via the use of special lifts. Minor grades can be traversed, but steep inclines are a problem. Trashy, cluttered and rough floors may cause guidance problems and these applications should be avoided. 

AGV system vehicles are smart enough to stop when confronted with an obstruction such as a mobile piece of equipment, a box or crate or a person in its path. Some systems utilize an electromechanical bumper type device while others use proximity type sensors. 

The vehicles can be expensive and the more vehicles in the system, the more complex the system becomes. A knowledgeable professional thoroughly familiar with AGV’s is a necessity when considering an Automatic Guided Vehicle system. 

Siggins Co. is the AuteckMunck distributor in this area. For additional information or a discussion of your particular circumstances, contact us today.