 A
major producer of consumer products maintains processing operations
in more than 70 countries. Its Iowa City, Iowa plant produces shampoo,
conditioner, and mouthwash.
Installed in the early 1980s, the company's original AGV system continued
to operate well into the 1990s, as a result of a few dedicated site
technicians. However, the lack of spare parts made it expensive and
eventually impossible to keep the vehicles and the system running.
It made sense to stay with AGVs for travelling the 2,000 feet from
the packaging lines to the warehouse, so the decision was made to
replace the original system.
The eight new AGVs are fitted with two conveyor decks that operate
independently to load or unload pallets from either side of the vehicle.
TRACE (Traffic Routing AGV Command Executive) supervisory control
software directs all operator interface and diagnostic functions,
as well as interfaces with upper level control systems. TRACE utilizes
standard Microsoft products.
Using on-board programming and odometry for guidance, the AGVs can
even travel a short distance off the guidepath, and return to another
path. This feature has significantly improved overall system efficiency.
 Shortly
after installation, each AGV was retrofitted with a laser bumper system.
Laser bumpers improve bumper functionality by emitting pulses of infrared
light in an adaptable, predefined field in front of the vehicle. Anything
entering this zone causes the AGV to adapt by either slowing down
or stopping until its path is clear. Laser bumpers also adjust to
load size and speed, changing their protective zones accordingly. |
| Project Type: |
Material Transport, Warehouse to Production |
| Number of Vehicles: |
8 |
| Load Capacity: |
5,000 Lbs. |
| Vehicle Type: |
Dual Load Conveyor |
|
 View
PDF Document for this Project - [1.38MB] |
