WELCOME

AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE

SATISH H S
1ST SEM M.TECH(CIM)
PESCE, MANDYA
HISTORY OF AGVS
First AGV developed in 1954 by A.M.Barrett,Jr.

First commercial AGV is developed by Barret.

1973, Volvo developed automated guided

vehicles to serve assembly platforms for moving
car bodies through its final assembly plants.

Later, Volvo marketed their unit load AGVs to

other car companies.
 INTRODUCTION
An automated guided vehicle system is a material handling system
that uses independently operated , self propelled vehicle that are
guided along defined pathways on the floor
Driverless Vehicle
Electric motors, battery powered
Programming capabilities
Destination

Path selection

Positioning

Collision avoidance

Transport material from loading

to unloading stations
Highly flexible, intelligent and versatile material-handling systems.
Other names
LGV,SGV.
TYPES OF AGVS
Towing vehicle.
Unit load carriers.
Pallet trucks.
Assembly-line vehicles.
Light-load transporters.
 Towing Vehicles
First type of AGV introduced.
Towing vehicle is called an automated guided tractor.
Flatbed trailers, pallet trucks, custom trailers can be
used.
Generally, used for large volumes (>500 kg) and long
moving distances (>300 m).

Load Capacity:750 kg
Vehicle Type:Laser Guided
Tugger AGV Products, Inc
 Unit load Carriers
To transport individual unit load onboard the vehicle.
Equipped with powered or non-powered roller, chain or
belt deck, or custom deck.
Loads can be moved by Pallet truck, forklift truck,
automatic loading/unloading equipment, etc.

Load Capacity1500 kg
Vehicle Type: Unit Load
with variable Height
Conveyor
 Pallet Trucks
No special device is needed for loading except the loads
should be on pallet
Limited to floor level loading and unloading with
palletized load
Widely used in distribution functions
Capacity 500-1000 kg.
Speed > 65m/min
Pallet truck can be loaded either manually or
automatically
 Light Load Transporters

Capacity < 250 kg.

To handle light and small loads/parts over moderate

distances.

Distribute between storage and number of workstations.

Speed 30 m/min, turning radius 0.7 m.

For areas with restricted space.

 Assembly-Line Vehicles
Variation of an light load transporter
For serial assembly processes
As the vehicle moves from one station to another,
succeeding assembly operations are performed
This kind provides flexibility for the manufacturing
processes
Lower expenses and ease of installation
Complex computer control and extensive planning
required to integrate the system.
 Navigation Technology
The guidance systems can be selected based on the
type of AGV selected, its application, requirement and
environmental limitation.
The technologies that are used in commercial system for
vehicle guidance:
Magnetic spot
Laser
Ceiling
Magnetic Tape
Wire
Wire-guided Guidance Technology:
An energized wire is rooted along

the guide path.

The antenna of the AGV follows

the rooted wire.

Magnetic spot Guidance Technology:

Guide path is marked with magnetic

pucks that are place on the floor

Guide path sensor and Gyroscope (Gyro)

is mounted on the vehicle

Ceiling Guidance Technology:
Markers place on ceiling for position reference.

Guide path is virtual

Laser Guidance Technology:

Laser beam is used to scan wall-mounted

bar-coded reflectors.
Accurate positioning can be obtained.

Magnetic Tape Guidance Technology:

Guide path is marked with a magnetic tape

that is place on the floor surface

Guide path sensor is mounted on the vehicle
A typical AGVs layout contains multiple loops,
branches, sidetracks and spurs, as well as pickup
and drop-off stations.

The principal methods of making this decision in

commercial wire guided system are as Follows

1. Frequency Select method.

2. The Path Select method.

In frequency select method the guide wires leading
into a two separate paths at the switch have
different frequencies.

The path select method operates with a single

frequency throughout the guide path layout.

To accomplish routing by the path switch select

method, the guide path layout is divided into blocks
that are electrically insulated from each other.
Traffic control
Two methods of traffic control used in commercial Automated
Guided Control (AGC) systems are:
1. On-board vehicle sensing.
2. Zone control.
On-board Vehicle Sensing also called forward
sensing involves the use of one or more sensors
on each vehicle to detect the presence of other
vehicles and obstacles ahead on the guide path.

In Zone Control, the AGVS layout is divided

into separate zones, and the operating rule
is that no vehicle is permitted to enter a zone
if that zone is already occupied by another
vehicle.
Advantages of AGVs
Unobstructed movement
Reduction in product damage.
Ease of removal and relocation.
Flexibility
Locations, path, P/D points can be reprogrammed
Easy to change guide path system
Number of vehicles can be altered depending on
requirement
Greater reliability
Less environmental problems
AGV can be replaced by another, in case of
failure.
Higher operating savings on long run
Minimal labor cost
Easy maintenance
Disadvantages of
AGVs
Expensive

Requirement of specially designed floor space.

Performance is affected if guide path bed is not

stable.
Conclusion
AGVs of modern day are so intelligent that they can
recharge their batteries on their own by docking into
recharge station.

The application often interfaces the AGVs with AS/RS and

FMS.

Agv can be used in variety of applications ranging from dirty

manufacturing shop to clean room assembly environment

Increased control over material flow and movement.

Reduced product damage and noise.

Routing consistency.
 Reference
Flexible manufacturing system;univercity of
kentucky.5 march2006
Automation,Production Systems and Computer-
Integrated Manufacturing Author- Mikell.P.Groover
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automated_guided_vehicle
THANK YOU