1. Automated guided vehicle Types & Application
Justin Alder
Oct,

2. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
A material handling system that uses independently operated, self-propelled vehicles guided along defined pathways
Typical features:
On-board batteries (8-16 hours of operation)
Pathways are unobtrusive
Move material to and from load points
Found in production settings

3. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV)
Where AGVs are used:
Automotive industry
Commercial print
Hospitals
Pharmaceuticals industry
Chemical industry
Food handling
Manufacturing
Paper industry
Warehouse distribution

4. AGV Types Driverless Trains (Tugger or Tow AGV)
Pull one or more trailers
Heavy payloads over long distances
Efficient transport system
Unidirectional, looping track system (most can’t move in reverse)
Automatic hitching
Loaded and unloaded by traditional or AGV fork truck

5. Applications Work in process movement Finish product handling
Raw material handing
Pallet movement
Tool and supply delivery

6. AGV Types Pallet Trucks/Fork Trucks Move palletized loads along routes
Accurate pallet placement
Interface with many different types of plant equipment including palletizers, stretch wrappers, ASRS systems, conveyors & racking
Sensors onboard the vehicles allow for communication with plant equipment, and ensure smooth transfer of pallets between the AGV and fixed equipment

7. Applications Work in process movement Finish product handling
Raw material handing
Pallet movement and placement
Loading and Unloading

8. AGV Types Unit Load Carriers (Top Carriers)
Move unit loads from one station to another
Equipped for automatic loading and unloading pallets or tote pans with power rollers, belts, lift platforms

9. Application Work in process movement Finish product handling
Raw material handing
Pallet movement and placement
Roll handling
Custom applications

10. Primary Vendors

11. Latest and Greatest Fragile Item Transportation
Heavy-duty Steel Plate Movement
Auto Industry (Laser guidance system)

12. Class Application: Cost Estimate
Requirements:
4 vehicles
Automatic Vehicle Dispatch, Load/Unload, Central Controller, Product Tracking, Multiple Path Options, Load capacity of 6,000 lbs (level 2)
Answer: Total system cost can be estimated by multiplying the projected number of vehicles times the unit costs shown
Estimated cost = 4*($115,000 to $225,000) = Range of ($460,000 to $900,000) depending on complexity of system….

13. References
Automation Production Systems, and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing , Third Edition, Mikell P. Groover