A major U.S. battery component supplier has been using robotic production cells since 2000. In a facility with 24/7 operations, the robotic cells have held production at capacity levels and reduced overtime. The recent installation of a three vehicle Automated Guided Vehicle System is a natural extension of this company's controlled and efficient manufacturing process.

Counterbalanced rear fork laser-guided AGVs transport empty pallets to a conveyor feed for the robotic cells. Robots stack pallets seven high with battery casings. When a full pallet is ready for pickup, a call is made for the next available AGV. Before pickup, the AGV always deposits an empty pallet to the conveyor lines.

Full pallets are examined and delivered to a pallet stacking station. Stacked pallets then move on to the stretch wrap station, or to a rework area if needed.

All AGV moves are operator initiated by a hand-held barcode scanner. AGV Products' TRACE Control System provides the intelligence to turn material movement requests into specific AGV instructions.

The vehicles are standard equipped with iCon navigation software, offering a unique point-and-click feature for quick guide path changes. The vehicles also feature laser bumper systems from SICK, helping to minimize damage to the facility, product and vehicles.