The Basics of Automatic Guided Vehicle Systems

Applications: Assembly Line

Assembly line AGVS applications are only now being introduced in the U.S. This is an adaptation of the small light load AGVS for an assembly line process. Here the guided vehicles carry major subassemblies such as motors or transmissions to which parts are added in a serial assembly process. Prior to each assembly area is a parts staging area where small parts are placed in a tray onboard the vehicle beneath the major subassembly. The vehicle the proceeds into an assembly area where it stops at assembly work station. The assembler takes the parts from the tray onboard the vehicle and then assembles them onto the major subassembly. When that process is completed, he then releases the vehicle, which proceeds to the next parts assembly area the process repeats several more times. When the assembly process is complete, the finished assembly such as an engine block or chassis is unloaded from the vehicle, which is then sent to the start area for the assembly process. There it is again loaded with a raw subassembly.

AGVS assembly systems give good flexibility to a manufacturing process by allowing parallel operations. They also allow for individual tracking of items and measured work rates. Normally these systems are integrated into an overall production system, which requires computer control and extensive planning.

A common misconception is that guided vehicles can be made to do anything and with so many new vendors on the market it is very difficult to differentiate what is practical from what is not. It is very useful to have a basic understanding of guided vehicle controls in order to appreciate what you can and cannot do with them.