Material handling includes several types of methods for moving both raw materials and finished goods in the manufacturing plant. Before the manufacturing process starts raw materials are ordered by the manufacturer. These goods are shipped to a warehouse facility near the production line by a supplier, so that they will be readily available as they are used during production. The movement of these raw goods into the warehouse from the receiving dock may be made using an automated guided vehicle. The movement of the raw material to the production line from the warehouse may also be done by the same automated guide vehicle. There are many factories, warehouses, and shipping centers that have long utilized the AGV to accomplish efficient movement of the stuff required to keep manufacturing running smoothly.
So what is an automated guided vehicle? This device is a computer-driven vehicle that is used in material handling, finished products, or any other weighty objects from one location to another location with or without the help of human operators. The device is commonly given its direction for movement by a host computer that is running a program. This program can make all the necessary decisions for the device during its movement from point A to point B. Of course the AGV has a predetermined and well-defined path for its movement. The guide path, which is what the predetermined path of the AGV is called, can be one of two types, wire-guided or optical-guided. The wire-guided path is created when a wire is embedded in the floor of the production facility. The route of the wire determines where the AGV can be sent on its circuitous route. Optically guided vehicles also have a predetermined path that is defined by a reflective line on the floor. An optical device on the vehicle senses this line for its direction of movement.
Typically a production plant will have more than one automated guided vehicle in its material handling operation at any one time. The number of these devices is determined by the amount of goods movement that is required and how large of an area needs to be supported by the AGV. In most of the instances when several AGV’s are being used in a material handling facility in addition to the predetermined route for vehicles there will be one or more host computers that give commands to the AGV’s so that they can do efficient work in moving goods.
To have a fully effective system of AGV’s that support operations it is possible to have a layout that includes shipping and receiving, production, and warehousing in
the layout. As raw materials arrive at the receiving dock an AVG will be called by the receiving clerk once these materials have been validated. To call the AVG the clerk presses a call button. The call message is sent to the host computer in the system that there is a need for an AVG in the receiving department. The host computer quickly ascertains which AVG is the most available and nearest to receiving to answer the call. Typically when the receiving clerk has checked in the materials, the type and amount of the raw materials received will have been entered into the computer system. When the AGV arrives to pickup the goods at receiving, the host computer will make the device aware of the location that the materials should be moved to in the warehouse. The instruction from the computer to the AGV is sent by radio frequency.
Later those same raw materials are to be used in the manufacture of products. An AGV will be dispatched to move the required amount of raw material from the warehouse to the production area. Only the amount of material needed to be begin the production job is moved initially. As the production job continues the host computer can make an available AGV aware that production is in need of more raw material to keep the production job running. The vehicle will bring the appropriate amount of material to the production area from the warehouse.
As production runs and finished goods are completed, operators in the production area can summon an AGV to move the finished goods from the production area to the finished goods warehouse or shipping depending on the immediate requirements of the system.
The configuration of an AGV system can be drawn in any route that is imaginable. The layout of these systems is expandable with the needs and requirements of a manufacturer. When areas of the plant are changed or need to be added to the system can change as required. Any manufacturer can gain great benefit from the use of a computer-driven vehicle system.
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