Features/Benefits Provided: Laser Guidance. Automatic Charging. Touchscreen Graphical Display Unit. Delivered Completion Kits, Enabling Customer's Staff to Complete Assembly

The automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) for a major newspaper publisher’s mailroom facility involved the retrofit of 30 wire-guided fork-style vehicles. Utilizing the existing chassis, the guidance controls were updated to laser guidance technology and the customer’s maintenance department was provided with kits to complete the upgrade in-house, per specification.

The retrofitted AGVs operate on a 20,750-foot guidepath and move packages throughout the facility from palletizers, storage, inserters, warehouse lanes, and shipping.

The AGVs receive jobs generated by the customer’s host system in the mailroom. Upon receiving the order, the AGV determines the optimal path and performs the order. Once the order is complete, the AGV reports to the control system, which in turn updates the customer’s host system. A 2.4 GHz radio frequency communications network handles communications between the host and the AGV control system.

At this site, the AGVs’ batteries utilize an automatic charging system. When a vehicle battery level indicates charging is necessary, the control system dispatches the AGV to a charger. The AGV interfaces will the charger, receiving a boost charge. When the charge is complete, the AGV signals the charger to turn off prior to leaving.

The AGVs move through the facility using an on-board computer containing a virtual guidepath map. The guidance system is the virtual map. The vehicles use an on-board oscillating laser to triangulate their exact positioning within the facility.


 
is a proud member of the AGVS Manufacturers Association of Material Handling Industry of America

11818 James Street
Holland, MI 49424
Phone: 616-393-0101
Email: sales@egeminusa.com    Website: www.egeminusa.com