Implementing an AGV System

How to Approach a Potential AGV Application

Investigating AGVS for a possible application need not be a costly or time-consuming task. All AGV companies have ‘questionnaires’ or ‘data forms’ that ask for basic information regarding the potential application. An initial system concept and budget price can be generated once this short document is completed and sent to an AGV company.

Don’t limit yourself to a single vendor at this stage. Get feedback from several to insure you get a fair picture of what AGV possibilities exist for your application. Some AGV companies may prefer a given type of AGV (tow, unit load carrier or fork type). This may be because they only offer one or two types. Others with broader product lines may offer a different type of AGV for the same application.

There are also cost and benefit tradeoffs to consider. A given type of AGV may result in a more expensive project cost, but may provide a better payback because it saves more money in the long run. However, don’t always assume that the more capable AGV system is the better system for your application. Capability comes at a price other than dollars. Often a more capable AGV is a more complicated AGV and this could adversely affect maintenance costs and reliability. It may be better to do a little less with the AGV system when real world issues (user friendliness, plant maintenance ability, problem recovery, environment, etc.) are considered.