Bidirectional AGV

Creform Corp. has designed and built a new AGV with a smooth, flat bed steel top that will accommodate a variety of pallets, boxes and containers in a wide range of applications. The top provides a durable and versatile surface for easy sliding of pallets or containers when manually loading and unloading. The specially designed flat utility surface can hold two, 3 ft. X 3 ft. pallets of materials or boxes, totes and unpackaged parts. The cart base has a custom designed, fabricated steel frame that provides the strength to give the AGV a 900 lb (408 kg) load capacity.

The AGV's bi-directional feature allows each end to independently follow its magnetic tape guidepath, providing accurate, repeatable tracking in space restrictive areas, while eliminating the need for a return guidepath in the system. It has a maximum speed of 164f/min (50 m/min) and is PLC controlled for up to 50 courses, 128 commands each. It is programmed by either a PC or onboard HMI touchscreen and can be programmed for full automatic operation, stopping at designated points for set periods, and automatic restart unless overridden by an attending associate.

The AGV counts safety features include a category-2 laser scanner with 16 settable zones with E-stop buttons located at each end of the unit. It has a safety light and audible warning system. A foot guard hangs down from each side of the unit to prevent people's feet from being accidentally run over.

The AGV has a 24 volt electrical system powered by two 12 volt, 110AH, AGM batteries plus an opportunity charging system that eliminates the need to change batteries. During operation, the AGV will pull into an opportunity charging station located along the guidepath where an optical communicator initiates the charging sequence without human intervention. The opportunity charging function may fully top off the batteries or simply provide a supplemental charge to extend the time between replenishment or exchange.