AGVs are mobile robots that use markers, wires, vision, magnets or lasers to navigate around facilities like manufacturing plants and warehouses. They can tow objects or store them to move materials autonomously. AGVs are used across many industries to transport items between areas. Some key advantages of AGVs include reduced labor costs, flexibility, reliability and lower long-term investment compared to other transport methods. They are well-suited for repetitive pallet handling and gentle finished goods movement applications.
2. “Introduction to
Automatic Guided Vehicles”
An automated guided vehicle or automatic guided vehicle (AGV)
is a mobile robot that follows markers or wires in the floor, or uses
vision, magnets, or lasers for navigation. They are most often used in
industrial applications to move materials around a manufacturing
facility or warehouse
The AGV can tow objects behind them in trailers to which they can
autonomously attach. The trailers can be used to move raw materials
or finished product. The AGV can also store objects on a bed. The
objects can be placed on a set of motorized rollers (conveyor) and
then pushed off by reversing them. AGVs are employed in nearly
every industry, including, pulp, paper, metals, newspaper, and general
manufacturing. Transporting materials such as food, linen or medicine
in hospitals is also done.
3. An AGV can also be called a laser guided vehicle
(LGV). In Germany the technology is also
called Fahrerlose Transport system (FTS) and in
Sweden forarlosa trucker.
AGVs are available in a variety of models and can be
used to move products on an assembly line, transport
goods throughout a plant or warehouse, and deliver
loads.
Continued…..
4. History of AGV’S
The first AGV was brought to market in the 1950s, by
Barrett Electronics of Northbrook, Illinois, and at the
time it was simply a tow truck that followed a wire in the
floor instead of a rail. Over the years the technology
has become more sophisticated and today automated
vehicles are mainly Laser navigated e.g. LGV (Laser
Guided Vehicle).
In an automated process, LGVs are programmed to
communicate with other robots to ensure product is
moved smoothly through the warehouse, whether it is
being stored for future use or sent directly to shipping
areas. Today, the AGV plays an important role in the
design of new factories and warehouses,
5. What is AGV ?
AGV is a material handling system that used
independently operated , self-propelled
vehicles guided along defined pathways.
6. • Repetitive motion
• Distances over 150 feet
• Multi-shift operation
• Desire to save costs and improve efficiency
What is a good use for AGVs ?
7. • Not a permanent obstacle
• Paths can be changed easily
• System can be expanded easily
• Does not represent a single point of failure -system has
built-in redundancy
• Favourable cost/benefit compared to other automated
material handling solutions
Why use Guided Vehicles?
8. System Features
High dynamic operation
Innovative steering method
Robust design
Speed control separately for each wheel
Angular position control separately for each axle
9. System Concepts
• 4 drive units – 4 steering axles
• 2 motors for each unit
• 1 controlled for each motor
• Host computer gets speed-position
information and determine the drive path
10. Battery charging with generative braking
4-quardrant mode for motor-generator driving.
Circuit integrated to obtain braking energy from
the drives.
Special capacitor for storing voltage ang charging
the battery.
Its optimised by “self charging programe” at
specific charging place after periodic time.
Some manufacturers are providing “battery swap
options”.
11. Type of AGV’S
Driverless trains
o It consists of a towing vehicle that pulls one or more trailers
to from a train
o This type is applicable in moving heavy pay loads over
large distance in warehouse or factories with or without
intermediate pickup and drop off point along the route
o It contains of 5-10 trailers and is an efficient transport
system
o The towing capacity is up to 60,000 pounds (27,000 kilos)
12. AGVS Pallet Trucks
o Pallet trucks are used to move palletized load along
predetermined routed
o The capacity of an AGV pallet truck ranges up to
several thousand kilograms and some are capable
of handling two pallets
o It is achieved for vertical movement to reach loads
on racks and shelves
13. AGVS Unit load Carriers
o These are used to move unit load from one station
to another
o It is also used for automatic loading and unloading
of pallets by means of rollers
o Load capacity ranges up to 250 kg or less
o Especially these vehicles are designed to move
small loads
14. Why consider AGVs
• Reduces the labor cost
• Flexible
• Intelligent
• Less time consuming
• Can significantly reduce production & warehouse cost
• Transforming the materials handling industry
15. Type of navigation in AGV’s
Wired navigation
- The wired sensor is placed on bottom of the AGVs and is
placed facing the ground
- A slot is cut in the ground and a wire is placed approximately
1 inch below the ground.
- The sensor detects the radio frequency being transmitted
from the wire and follow it.
16. Guide tape navigation
- The AGVs (some known as automated guided carts or AGCs) use
magnetic tape for the guide path
- The AGCs is fitted with the appropriate guide sensor to follow the
path of the tape
- It is considered a passive system since it does not require the guide
medium to be energized as wire does
17. Laser target navigation
-The AGVS carry a laser
transmitter and received
on a rotating turret
-The laser is sent off
then received again
the angle and distances
are automatically calculated
and stored into
AGVS memory
18. Application
Pallet handling
• Pallet handling is an extremely popular for
AGVs as repetitive movement ofpallets is
very common in manufacturing and
distribution facillities.
Finished goods handling
• Moving finished goods from manufacturing
to storage or shipping is the final movement
of materials before they are delivered to
customers. These movement often require
the gentlest material handling because the
products are complete and subject to
damage from rough handling.
19. Unobstructed movement
Flexibility
I. Locations, path, P/D points can be reprogrammed
II. Easy to change guide path system
III. Number of vehicles can be altered depending on
requirement
Greater reliability
I. Less environmental problems
II. AGV can be replaced by another, in case of failure.
Lower investment
Higher operating savings on long run
I. Minimal labor cost
II. Easy maintenance
Easy to interface with other systems
Advantages of AGV’s
20.
21. Conclusion
From this task I can now able to know about automated
guided vehicle or automatic guided vehicle (AGV) is a
mobile robot that follows markers or wires in the floor,
or used vision, magnets, or lasers for navigation. They
are most often used in industrial applications to move
materials around a manufacturing facility or warehouse.
Application of the automatic guided vehicle has
broadened during the late 20th century.