Implementing an AGV System

Product, Layout and Throughput Rates

The heart of any potential project is the identification of the requirements. Providing too much information can be as bad as providing too little. Most AGV companies are looking for basic parameters from which they can build a concept and develop a proposal. The basic information that needs to be provided includes:

Product Handled – What is the product? What are the dimensions and weight? How stable is the product? Is the product to be loaded manually on the AGV or by automated interface?

Identify all products to be handled. In addition, provide accurate footprint data for the load container (pallet, rack, etc.).

Layout – Provide a drawing (CAD layout, preferable) for the facility. Identify where the AGV stations are to be located. If you wish, create the AGV path linking the stations, or the AGV supplier will recommend a route in his proposal.

Throughput rates – It is very important to supply load transport rates between the various AGV stations. This can be accomplished by filling out a simple matrix such as the one provided below.

Typically these rates are specified in units per hour. You should specify the maximum rates and the normal rates. It is important to indicate how often the maximum rates occur, and for how long they are sustained. Also, do the maximum rates for each station occur all at the same time? You would not want to provide enough AGVs to handling a simultaneous maximum rate from all stations if probability of that occurring is very low. It is important to decide what sustainable rate you need to support and what maximum rate you want to handle for a limited time duration.