AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE

SYSTEMS
STYLE AND FUNCTION

(Automatic Guided Vehicles-AGVs by Egemin Constucted with "Off-The-Shelf" components)

Jennifer Savage October 29, 2008

What exactly is an AGVS?
 AGVS stands for Automated Guided Vehicle System
 An AGVS consists of one or more computer
controlled wheel based load carriers (normally
battery powered) that runs on the plant floor (or if
outdoors on a paved area) without the need for an
onboard operator or driver.

(Material Handling Industry of America)

Current State of AGVS
 Tremendous range of applications
 Can be installed without majorly changing a facility
 Can be expensive and usually more then one
machine purchased for system
 Require: software, navigation systems, and
communication systems.
 They help reduce the cost of manufacturing and
increase efficiency
 They have been around since the 1950’s
Styles
Main AGVS Styles
 Towing
 Unit Load
 Forklift Truck
Towing/Tug AGVS
 Most Productive, can have
multiple trailers
 Limitation: Do not have
reverse
 Advantages: First AGV
technology, good for
continued use in changing
environments, can have
different hitches
 Possible use: hauling bins
of materials to a station

(Tuggers & Tow Vehicles-Automated

Guided Vehicles (AGV) Type)
Unit Load AGVS
 Most traditional, also
called top carrier
 Interact with cranes,
stands, and conveyors
 Can maneuver well in
small spaces
 Carries loads such as
racks, drums, or racks

(Unit Load Automatic Guided Vehicles)

Forklift Truck AGVS
 Disadvantages:
new technology
 Advantages:
Designed for
rugged conditions
 Can stack things in
levels

(Forklift AGVs)
Costs

Price Depends on vehicle type and carrying capacity

(Material Handling Industry of America)

Applications
Major Industries that use AGVS Applications that Utilize AGVS
 Aerospace  Archive Systems
 Apparel  Cross Docking
 Automotive  Distribution
 Beauty Products
 High Density Storage
 Books and Library Systems
 High Speed Sortation
 Dairy
 Food and Beverage
 Material Flow and Transport
 Mail Order Fulfillment
 Production and Manufacturing
Delivery Systems
 Office and Computer Equipment
 Production and Manufacturing
 Pharmaceuticals and Health Care Support Systems
 Refrigerator and Freezer Applications  Warehouse Management and
 Retail Control
 Sporting Goods  Work-In-Process Buffers
 Textiles
 Standards
 Specialized AGVS are Modified Standard Models
 Light Load AGVS
 Designed to carry light loads
 Assembly Line AGVS
 Designed to be used in a serial manufacturing process
Technical Paper

This paper describes a method created to evaluates AVGS capabilities and then applies it to
a new AGVS. It examines system management, navigation, load transfer, and
production capabilities.

Robot Comput Integr Manuf

Vendors
Video
 http://www.egeminusa.com/pages/AGV_movies_
videos.html
 Class Application

How much would a low level 2 AVGS cost if you had a VERY large warehouse
with 11,000lb. pallets that needed to be towed?

(Wholesale and Liquidation) (Material Handling Industry of America)

Summary
 AGVS main styles: forklift, unit load, tug/towing
 Specialized AGVS systems can be designed for any
specific application
 Efficient and can help increase manufacturing
 Can be used in many fields and applications
References
 "AGVS Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems ." Material Handling Industry of America. 2008. Material
Handling Industry of America. 28 Oct 2008 <http://www.mhia.org/industrygroups/agvs>.
 Berman S, et al. Evaluation of automatic guided vehicle systems. Robot Comput Integr Manuf (2008),
doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2008.02.009
 "Forklift AGVs." Amerden. 2008. Amerden AGVS. 28 Oct 2008
<http://www.amerden.com/Products/forklift.html>.
 "Unit Load Automatic Guided Vehicles." JBT Corporation. 2008. JBT Corporation. 28 Oct 2008
<http://www.jbtc-agv.com/Solutions/Products/Unit-Load-Automatic-Guided-Vehicles-AGVs.aspx>.
 "Wholesale & Liquidation Merchandise." Wholesale and Liquidation. 2008. Global Communications Inc..
28 Oct 2008 <http://gcny.us/wholesale/wholesale.html>.
 "Tuggers & Tow Vehicles-Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) Type." FMC Technologies. 2008. FMC
Technologies. 28 Oct 2008 <http://www.fmcsgvs.com/content/products/tugtow_vehicles.htm>.
 "Automatic Guided Vehicles-AGVs by Egemin Constucted with "Off-The-Shelf" components.." Egemin
Automation. 2008. Egemin Automation Inc.. 29 Oct 2008 <http://www.egeminusa.com/index.html>.