Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)
What is AGV?
• Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are driverless industrial trucks,
usually powered by electric motors and batteries.
AGV models are available to transport weights from 220 to 550 lbs.,
as well as pallets up to 6,600 lbs.
Automated Guided Vehicles (or Automatic Guided Vehicles) have
been moving materials and products over 50 years.
• By the late 50's and early 60's towing AGVs were in operation in
many types of factories and warehouses. This type of AGV, a tugger,
is still applied today.
Components of AGV
• Vehicle.
• Guidance system.
• Input/output/transfer mechanism.
Classification criteria of AGVs
Tote/box or pallet handling.
Guidance system
Tape.
Wire.
Laser.
Input/output/transfer mechanism
Roller conveyor.
Chain conveyor.
Fork top.
Rear fork.
Battery charge/recharge option.
Number of vehicles.
Technological features of AGV
▫ Permanent 10-year battery eliminates need for battery changing.
▫ Conveyors
▫ Forklift trucks.
▫ Hand carts.
Applications of AGV in Automobile Industry
• Typical AGV applications in the automotive industry include
automated raw material delivery, automated work in process
movements between manufacturing cells, and finished goods
transport.
Floor space
▫ Provides more space for production.
• Productivity
▫ Supplements limited capacity in storage and
production areas.
• Inventory
▫ Solves the problem of poor product
accessibility
Problems addressed by AGV
Ergonomics
▫ Workers in hostile environments.
▫ Workers walking long distances
▫ Excessive noise levels from material handling
equipment
▫ Safety hazards
▫ Labor-intensive processes
Problems addressed by AGV
Disjointed Operations (Lack of
Integration)
▫ Multiple staging areas
▫ Product is often moved from one staging area to
another
• Labor
▫ High employee turnover
▫ High labor costs
▫ Small labor pool
▫ Low job satisfaction
Exemplary specifications of AGV
Transfer height: 16-21 in.
• Maximum load weight: 220-
(.41-.53 m).
6,600 lbs. (100-3000 kg).
Traveling direction: multi-
directional.
• Maximum load size: Battery voltage: 48 V.
Length: 30-51 in. (0.76-1.30 m).
Battery capacity: 40-80 Amp.
Width: 20-47 in. (0.50-1.19 m).
hrs.
Battery charging/discharging
• Maximum speed: 164-196
ratio: 1:10.
ft./min. (50-60 m/min.).
Communication: spread
• Crabbing speed: 49 ft./min. (15
spectrum radio frequency.
m/min.).
Steering system: direct drive
• Turning radius: 24-56 in. (.60-
power wheel steering.
1.42 m).
Photographic view of a forklift type
AGV with wireless guiding system
AGV accessing materials from different
racks