What is an AGV?

Frequently known as self-guided vehicles or autonomous guided vehicles, automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are material handling systems or load transporters that move autonomously around the ground surfaces of a warehouse, factory or DC, without an onboard worker.

What are Automated Guided Vehicles used for?

Common AGV applications include retrieval and storage in storage facilities and DCs, generally in support of order picking. They are also put to use for transportation of basic materials, work-in-process, and finished goods in factories.

What are a few of the primary benefits of Self Guided Vehicles?

1. Lowered Labor Costs: AGVs can considerably decrease labor costs. A one time cost can eliminate the ongoing costs of salaries, taxes, and benefits connected with a full time worker.
2. Increased Safety: contemporary AGVs utilize sophisticated electronic cameras, lasers, or other sensors that enable them to "see" and react to their environment at lightning speed. Humans can become tired or distracted, whereas machines do not. AGVs can also be utilized in severe conditions or around hazardous materials where personal security is jeopardized.
3. Increased Productivity & Accuracy: AGVs can work 24 x 7, never needing breaks or tiring. They can make distant treks across a warehouse effortlessly. They also don't make the kinds of errors that people are prone to making.
4. Modularity: most AGV systems can be put into place slowly, replacing a handful of employees here and there without a huge expenditure in advance. As automation needs increase, more AGVs can easily be added to the operation.

How do AGVs work?

AGVs are directed by a mix of sensor-based supervision systems and computer programs. They can navigate safely through a storage or manufacturing facility by using barrier detection bumpers and following thoroughly defined paths, while using precisely regulated acceleration and deceleration.

AGV navigation is generally supervised by one of these kinds of systems:

• Vision guidance: cameras record the AGV's surroundings, and the vehicles use these cataloged videos to plot a course. Vision guidance is standalone, and as a result, no adjustment is needed to a production facility or warehouse infrastructure for this type of navigation.
• Laser target navigation: with laser based equipment, reflective tape is mounted to racks, walls, poles and other fixed items. AGVs utilize laser transmitters to rebound light off of these reflectors and and then utilize the distance and angle of objects to navigate.
• LiDAR: LiDAR systems send laser bursts to determine the space around the AGV and articles in its vicinity. This data is utilized to establish a 360-degree map of the environment. Similar to vision guidance, no adjustment of a facility is required.
• Inertial navigation: transponders embedded into a facility flooring guide AGVs along a defined course.
• Wired navigation: these systems employ wire tracks embedded into a warehouse or factory flooring. The wire sends a signal that an AGV identifies through a sensing unit or antenna system.
• Magnetic guide tape: this type of AGV makes use of magnetic sensing units and conforms to a path defined by magnetic tape.

What are the different types of Autonomous Guided Vehicles?

There are several kinds of automated guided vehicles. Many AGVs are similar to other human-operated vehicles yet are developed to maneuver without direct human intervention or guidance.

• Forklift AGVs: forklift automated guided vehicles are an often utilized type of AGV in warehouses. They're built to carry pallets without the need for a human worker.
• Automated Guided Carts: an automatic guided cart is the most basic kind of AGV. They can move all kinds of materials, from pallets to small parts. AGCs are often used in storage, picking, and cross-docking applications.
• Tugger AGVs: towing, or "tugger" AGVs tug non-powered, load-carrying carts trailing them in a train-like setup. These kinds of automated guided vehicles are often utilized for transferring heavy loads over long distances. Often times they are configured to make numerous dropoffs and pickups along their route.
• Unit Load Handlers: unit load handlers transport singular payloads like particular items, or a discrete pallet or tote.
• Heavy Burden Carriers: these are used for extremely heavy weights like coils, plates or castings.

Automated Guided Vehicle Supplier Near Me

If you'd like a complete analysis of AGV possibilities for your warehouse, DC or manufacturing facility, you can speak to a professional at Raymond West.

Raymond West's Fremont facility serves all of the Bay Area, including San Francisco, Oakland, San Leandro, Hayward, Union City, Fremont, San Jose, Santa Clara, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Richmond, Vallejo, Concord, Pleasanton, Livermore and all surrounding areas.

Raymond West | San Francisco Bay Area Material Handling Equipment Supplier

41400 Boyce Rd
Fremont, CA 94538
(800) 675-2500