English (UK) 
简体中文 Oops, are you getting confused by all those materials being moved around in the warehouse? Look at the workers pushing a cart running all over the field, low efficiency and easy to make mistakes? Don't worry, let's talk about it today!AGV Conveyor System-This thing is, quite franklyIntelligent trucks that know their way around.The first is to choose the best memory for your mobile phone. But configure it is not as simple as buying a mobile phone to choose memory, confused about the core components and selection doorway? The minute you spend a lot of money! I'll break it up and crumble it for you to understand 👇.
🔍 One, figure out these 5 questions first or don't touch the AGV!
Choosing an AGV is not shopping on Taobao.I'm sure you'll be able to get a car if you make an order on the spot.! Figure out your own needs before you get started:
- Moving what?
- Is it in boxes? Bulk? Or is it a big lump of iron? (Weight and size directly determine the load capacity of the AGV)
- Take a chestnut 🌰: moving car parts have to use forklift type AGV, moving small parts to choose latent type more flexible.
- Where do you work?
- Indoor warehouse? Open-air docks? High temperature workshops? Cold storage? (Different levels of protection for different environments)
- For example, cold storage has to use low-temperature-resistant batteries, and dusty workshops have to be explosion-proof in design.
- How fast do you want it to run? How accurately does it stop?
- If the production line beat is tight, the speed should be more than 1.5m/s; for precision assembly scene, the positioning accuracy should be within ±5mm.
- Is the path complicated?
- Straight back and forth? Or nine turns? (Simple paths are cheap with magnetic navigation, complex mazes have to be laser SLAM).
- How does it link up with existing equipment?
- Should I dock the drum line? Should I connect to the MES system to send commands? (Confirm the interface protocol in advance!)
📌(knock on the) blackboardDemand fuzzy = configuration overturn! A factory did not calculate the weight of materials, AGV can not move the goods lying down, blood loss of 500,000 yuan.
⚙️ Second, the four core components, less one can not turn!
AGVs are not steel boxes with wheels.These 4 modules directly determine whether it can work or not.::
1. Navigation system - "eyes" and "brain map" of AGVs
- Laser SLAM navigation: Build maps by laser scanning, no need to stick magnetic stripe QR code, just change the route and tap the screen. Expensive but save trouble, suitable for the complex path of the plant.
- magnetic navigationMagnetic stripe on the ground, AGV follows the magnetic stripe. Cheap and practical, but change the path to re-adhesive stripes, poor flexibility.
- QR code navigation: The QR code "signposts" on the ground are accurate in positioning and low in cost, but the QR code has to be changed regularly due to wear and tear, which is troublesome to maintain.
The White Mantra: Choose laser to save money, magnetic stripe to save money, and QR code for high accuracy!
2. Drive + steering system - the "legs and feet" of AGVs
- differential drive: The two wheels control the speed independently, and turn like a circle. Simple structure, but large turning radius.
- all-wheel drive: You can move sideways and diagonally, and you can show off your operation in narrow passages. Expensive! Suitable for workshops with compact space.
- tiller driveStrong load capacity and stable running, forklift AGVs are relied upon to carry tonnes of goods.
lesson learnt through blood and tearsAn electronic factory did not choose the narrow channel omni-directional wheels, AGV stuck in a right-angle turn into a dilemma 😅
3. Power supply system - the AGV's "meal" determines the endurance
- li-ion battery: Lightweight and durable, supports fast charging (15 minutes to charge and 4 hours to dry), but the price is meaty.
- lead-acid battery: Cheap and resistant to build, but dead heavy and also short range, suitable for tight budget factory.
- contactless charging: Passing through charging zones automatically recharges the batteries, 24 hours a day! But you have to modify the ground, and the cost goes sky high.
Endurance formula: Battery capacity ÷ unit consumption = range! Don't believe the sales bluffs, do the maths yourself 🔋
4. Transfer mechanism - how the AGV's "hand" grips the goods
| typology | How do you work? | Scenario |
|---|---|---|
| latent | Get under the wagon, jack it up and go. | Material trucks can be retrofitted for assembly lines |
| forklift | Insert pallet handling like a forklift | Pallet-stacked warehouse terminals |
| piggyback | I'll just put it on my back and carry it. | Multi-site workshop distribution |
| cylindrical | Docking conveyor lines for automatic roll-on/roll-off | Factory assembly table turnover |
Key Tips: Costly to alter existing material trucks? Go with a towable! Hook up a trailer and go 🚛
🏭 Third, a real case: the solar energy workshop by 23 AGVs against the odds
A photovoltaic plant originally relied on manual moving silicon flower basket, low efficiency and also broken material. On theSeparate AGV systemAfter:
- Programme core: AGV body + mobile rack + electric coupling mechanism
- miraculous operation::
- The AGV drills under the shelves and jacks up and runs;
- To the equipment port for precise docking, the electric coupling is automatically powered to pass the goods;
- Laser SLAM navigation navigates accurately through complex workshops.
- have an incredible effect::
- 23 AGVs handle 18,000 pieces/hour capacity;
- Fragmentation rates are straight down by 60%, saving you $3 million a year!
💡 Fourth, personal opinion: do not be fooled by "high technology"!
Get the AGV configuration.The biggest fear is to be too big for your britches.! I've seen too many factories follow the trend of buying laser navigation + omni wheels and end up with 80% features that don't work. Remember three points:
- It is better to have enough than to be advanced.--Non-integrated laser SLAM in room temperature warehouse?Magnetic navigation saves enough money to buy 5 AGVs!
- Standardisation > Customisation--Non-standard parts maintenance and so on three months, production line shutdown loss who carry?
- Suppliers don't just look at quotes--Case experience + local service team is the life preserver, a factory to choose a small company cheap, the system collapsed can not find people.
One final rant.AGVs are tools, not gods! Know what you want and hold the dime in your wallet to match the system that makes money!
