Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated guided vehicles have more specifically designed vehicles in their family, such as the automatic guided vehicles that are used for material sorting, storage, transportation, delivery and assembly and depending on their intended application can range greatly in size and capability. Simple towing vehicles can be used for heavy pallet load transportation while complex material handling robots can be designed to assist in small product assembly. Trailer loading, finished product handling and tooling change out are further uses of AGVs in many applications. In both light and heavy manufacturing processes, guided vehicles can provide highly repetitive and reliable actions, allowing for improved operation flow and output. Using AGV systems in a manufacturing facility helps to increase overall efficiency and lower labor costs. The vehicles are able to manage tasks that typically require manual intervention with more speed and capacity thus reducing the amount of time wasted in operations. The vehicles typically run from industrial batteries or electricity although power requirements will change according to application.

The autonomous guided vehicle systems are basically fixed guidance or free range. Fixed guidance systems use wire, magnetic tape or colored paint to guide the vehicles using antennae, frequencies and signal emissions. These are reliable and effective systems; however, the fixed route may not be suitable for some applications and limits the capabilities of the vehicles. Most AGV systems today are free range. These systems are computer controlled and often use laser guided vehicles which are able move around according to computerized instructions. They offer the benefit of flexibility as the internal navigation systems of the AGVs redirect the vehicle according to traffic or obstructions, allowing for smooth and safe operation. For facilities with numerous AGVs, a traffic operating system and controller is necessary. Locator panels, CRT display and a central logging and report center are all used to monitor the location and movement of vehicles, and to determine system efficiency. The vehicles can also be equipped with an infrared detection sensor, and bumpers to protect the vehicle body in the case of collision. As with any computer based system, a breakdown or malfunction in the software could cause a serious operating problem. AGV systems are a worthwhile addition to manufacturing processes despite the initial investment costs.