Automated Guided Vehicles - AGV

A concern for many warehouse facilities is saving costs, in part because of labor cost, and workers ’ compensation claims due to injuries. The two are indelibly intertwined. Although warehouse companies take appropriate measures such as safety training, safety gear, and reward systems for low or no injuries. Inevitably, someone will file a claim because of taking a wrong step, bumping into something, or worse. Automated guided vehicles have become an integral part of a large manufacturing and distribution plants. Both by providing a safe and efficient method of transport and picking and packing but also lowering labor costs and fewer workers’ compensation costs.

Fewer workers mean fewer incidents of accidents and reduced labor and material costs. However, what does this entail? Not just a forklift, but also a major integrated system. Robotic cars that have a pre-defined path using either of three methods that follow a path throughout the distribution center. The robotic carts follow these paths using buried inductive wires, surface mounted magnetic or optical stripes, or laser guidance. These vehicles are highly sophisticated integrated systems that allow large operations to perform the same duties as forklift operators, which do pick up and deliver of pallet loads.

Another benefit is that it allows large operations to perform at high capacity through 24-hour shift operations. It is possible for distribution centers to use hundreds of these vehicles at a time. They can be coordinated on the floor to provide instant reporting to track stock and interface with the order department as well at the integration with robotic palletizers and wrappers.

This new technology has become a boon in the industry as a major roll for warehouses to work efficiently and effectively.

Sources:
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-16137369.html