 Designed
with the user in mind, iCon's software provides a simple way to create,
implement and edit guidepath designs, on-the-fly.
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 Point and click for guidepath changes: iCon provides
the highest level of ease-of-use, guidepath flexibility, and vehicle
dynamics. The Graphical User Interface provides the means to create
and modify the vehicle path with a simple click and drag of the mouse.
Odyssey vehicles simplify the creation of a pick or drop point. These
locations are created in the control system by manually moving one
of the AGVs to the desired location in the correct orientation and
then pressing a button on the vehicle to send this position to iCon,
which saves this data as a node.
Clicking on one node and dragging to another create paths. Parameters
for each path include the maximum speed in each direction, the tracking
accuracy required, and the vehicle orientation.
Click Here For a Graphical Demonstration of Path Changing With iCON
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Dynamic vehicle routing: iCON can automatically
change an Odyssey AGV’s route while the vehicle is in progress.
Similar to a driver changing his normal route when a traffic report
provides coverage of a traffic back-up, iCON will route the vehicle
along “sidestreets” to the final destination, when it
becomes aware of a path blockage.
Dynamic vehicle allocation: Even after assigning
an AGV to retrieve a load, iCON can re-assign the load if another,
more suitable, vehicle becomes available before the load is picked
up. This feature ensures maximum system efficiency.
Deadlock prevention: Because it has dynamic routing
abilities, iCON prevents AGV deadlocks. A deadlock occurs when a number
of vehicles block each other and none of the AGVs can move. In a typical
system, a deadlock would require manual intervention to get the system
operating again. iCON automatically changes the route of the vehicles
to find a “sidestreet” around the deadlock. A vehicle
may even reverse along its path to reach a node where it is directed
onto another route.
Zone blocking: An area of the plant may be blocked
from all AGV traffic, even when the AGV is in manual mode. If a vehicle
is manually driven to the boundary of a blocked area, power to the
drive motor will be disconnected to prevent movement. This feature
may be used to prevent AGVs from moving into walkways or to ensure
that stairs and docks are off-limits. |
