Question

Explain the different types of Automated guided vehicle system and also state its functions and applications.

Answer 1

Types of AGVS 1.Towing Vehicles (also called "tugger" vehicles) were the first type introduced and are still a very popular type today. Towing vehicles can pull a multitude of trailer types and have capacities ranging from 2,000 pounds to 160,000 pounds. 2.AGVS Unit Load Vehicles are equipped with decks, which permit unit load transportation and often automatic load transfer. The decks can either be lift and lower type, powered or non-powered roller, chain or belt decks or custom decks with multiple compartments. 3.AGVS Pallet Trucks are designed to transport palletized loads to and from floor level; eliminating the need for fixed load stands. 4.AGVS Fork Truck has the ability to service loads both at floor level and on stands. In some cases these vehicles can also stack loads in rack. They can sometimes lift up to 30' to store or retrieve on high-bay racking. 5.AGVS Hybrid Vehicles are adapted from a standard man-aboard truck so that they can run fully automated or be driven by a fork truck driver. These can be used for trailer loading as well as moving materials around warehouses. Most often, they are equipped with forks, but can be customized to accommodate most load types 6.Light Load AGVS are vehicles which have capacities in the neighborhood of 500 pounds or less and are used to transport small parts, baskets, or other light loads though a light manufacturing environment. They are designed to operate in areas with limited space. 7.AGVS Assembly Line Vehicles are an adaptation of the light load AGVS for applications involving serial assembly processes. Automated Guided Vehicles can be used in a wide variety of applications to transport many different types of material including pallets, rolls, racks, carts, and containers. AGVs excel in applications with the following characteristics:

• Repetitive movement of materials over a distance

• Regular delivery of stable loads

• Medium throughput/volume

• When on-time delivery is critical and late deliveries are causing inefficiency

• Operations with at least two shifts

• Processes where tracking material is important 

Answer 2

Types of AGV 

1. Wire guided AGVs: These AGVs follow as inductive wire as guided path.

2. AGVs having optical/chemical/magnetic guide path: These AGVs use a strip of optical/chemical/magnetic material on their guide path.

3. Dead reckoning AGVs: These AGVs are based on the principle of odometry. These use memory in their on board microcomputer for their movement.

4. Free ranging AGVs: Unlike wired AGVs the free ranging AGVs does not follow any physical guided path. Path of these AGVs is not fixed but can be altered by using software program. The guidance of such AGVs is based on following techniques:

a. Position reference beacons and

b. Optical imaging of surrounding and stereoscopic vision.

 Functions:

1. To carry load from one location to other in an automated work place, in predetermined path.

2. To select its own route/path to reach the destination without the human intervention for guidance or control.

3. It may facilities the effective implementation of MIS (manufacturing information system.)

4. AGV system can be easily interfaced with other modules of flexible manufacturing system such as robot, automatic storage and retrieval system etc.

Applications: 

1. Assembly line operation.

2. Used in Flexible Manufacturing system and Computer integrated manufacturing system.

3. Non industrial applications like hospitals, offices etc.