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Automated Guided Vehicles: Automated Carts Unit Load Agvs Tugger Agvs Automated Forklift Agvs

This document discusses automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and their control systems and navigation methods. It describes different types of AGVs including unit load AGVs, tugger AGVs, and automated forklift AGVs. It outlines several benefits of AGVs such as accountability, automatic line balancing, cost control, flexibility, and safety. The document then examines two approaches to AGV control systems - centralized control and decentralized vehicle control. It also reviews various AGV navigation systems including wire guided, inertial guided, laser guided, grid guided, and chemical path guided. Finally, it lists several factors that can affect AGVs such as the environment, floors, application life, maintenance, and equipment quality.

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Prathamesh Naik
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33 views3 pages

Automated Guided Vehicles: Automated Carts Unit Load Agvs Tugger Agvs Automated Forklift Agvs

This document discusses automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and their control systems and navigation methods. It describes different types of AGVs including unit load AGVs, tugger AGVs, and automated forklift AGVs. It outlines several benefits of AGVs such as accountability, automatic line balancing, cost control, flexibility, and safety. The document then examines two approaches to AGV control systems - centralized control and decentralized vehicle control. It also reviews various AGV navigation systems including wire guided, inertial guided, laser guided, grid guided, and chemical path guided. Finally, it lists several factors that can affect AGVs such as the environment, floors, application life, maintenance, and equipment quality.

Uploaded by

Prathamesh Naik
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Automated guided vehicles

Automated carts
Unit load AGVs
Tugger AGVs
Automated forklift AGVs
benefits:
Accountability Once a product is onboard an AGV, it is tracked so lost or misplaced product will
be minimized
Automatic line balancing In a production environment with multiple operations conducted at
varying times, AGVs can assist in line balancing
Cost control - An AGV systems costs are very predictable, while labor costs tend to increase and can
change quickly depending on local economic conditions
Facility maintenance Collision avoidance capabilities prevent damage within the facility
Flexibility An AGVs path can be changed as production and handling needs evolve
Fewer restrictions Free-roaming, AGVs eliminate access issues created by conveyors and require
less space than conventional forklifts, allowing for narrower aisles
Reduced operating costs - Charging and battery handling can be automatic with an AGV system and
the controlled acceleration/deceleration minimizes wear on components
Reduction in product damage AGVs handle products gently, reducing scrap and waste
Repeatability - AGVs perform repetitive movement tasks predictably and reliably
Safety AGVs always follow their guide path and stop if they encounter an obstruction, improving
the safety of surrounding personnel
Scheduling Because of their reliability and on-time delivery, AGVs improve scheduling capabilities
and the efficiency of operations
Scalability More AGVs can be added to expand capacity and throughput

Control system in AGV

Centralised Control
The centralized controller approach utilizes a PC or other computer device to manage the
movement of vehicles along the path. Either or both the routing or traffic control functions

would be performed by the central controller. The AGVs would take appropriate direction
from the central controller via a communications link.

decentralized vehicle control


The decentralized control approach does not require a central controller device for basic
vehicle movement. Instead, the vehicles perform their own routing and traffic control
functions. The AGVs would use their onboard intelligence to select their route to a
destination and they would avoid running into other AGVs operating on the path by
communicating directly between AGVs.

AGV navigation systems


wire guided
employ a series of wires embedded in a shallow slot in the floor. The slot is cut in the floor
using a concrete saw. The wire in the floor slot carries a low voltage, milliamp strength high
frequency signal.

inertial guided
It is based on the use on a gyroscope onboard the AGV. , the gyroscope can detect minute
changes in vehicle direction. Each vehicle has a CAD type map of the system layout in its
memory. The vehicles steer by comparing information from the gyroscope and odometry
sensors to the map and making necessary course corrections.

laser guided
The vehicle is equipped with a rotating laser beacon mounted approximately seven feet
above the floor. This beacon scans 360 degrees around the vehicle for laser targets
mounted on columns, walls, etc. The reflections from these targets are measured relative to
angles from the vehicle and triangulated to allow the vehicle to determine its position. This
position is compared to a CAD type map stored in the vehicles memory.

grid guided
systems rely on a floor pattern to guide the AGV. This floor pattern can be a grid of
magnets, wires, colored tiles, RF devices, etc.

chemical path guided


employ an optical guidance system onboard the AGV. Typically, a chemical line is applied to
the floor surface. Under normal lighting conditions the line is not visible. However, the AGV
utilizes a special path illumination light under the vehicle to detect the floor line and thereby
track it
factors affecting agv

Environment Clean, dirty, abusive, indoors or outdoors


Floors Smooth, rough, wet, dry, cracks, holes
Application life How long system is needed
Maintenance Level of preventative maintenance, quality of servicemen
User discipline Commitment to support proper AGV use
Operating time Number of shifts, percent time running
Equipment quality Robustness for application, accessibility for maintenance
Vendor support Timely/knowledgeable supplier support, parts availability
Management commitment Dedication to system operation
Documentation/training Quality of support materials and guides
Vendor condition Financial strength, control of technology, market leadership

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