Product category:
Automated handling systems, AGVs, integrated handling systems
News Release from: E and K Automation Indumat Systems | Subject: Indumat AGV systems
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 05 February 2002
AGVs bring the pick-face to the
production line
At a German communications equipment and ISDN screen telephone factory, AGVs deliver boxes of components and parts to the lines where the operators pick components as required.
At Siemens' new Leipzig, Germany, factory where the company's latest communications equipment is manufactured including the ISDN screen telephone, a new system for assembling products has been introduced based on transportation of bulk components by automated guided vehicles (AGVs) supplied by Indumat UK subsidiary, Indumat Systems in Basingstoke, explains the novelty of the installation
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 26 Feb 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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Conventionally, the various parts which go to make up a product are picked by hand in the stores and transported as a kit to the point of assembly, perhaps automatically by conveyor or AGV, or by other means involving manned transportation.
The process is driven by a host computer that translates required production volumes into job-driven order picking instructions.
The difference at Leipzig is that the picking face is transported from within the stores to the point of production, allowing the assembly worker to select his or her own parts according to which product is to be manufactured.
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Two special-purpose AGVs transfer boxes of electronic and other small components to the workstations and ensure that they are constantly replenished.
Such a goods-to-man picking scenario is common in a warehousing environment, for example in the mail order industry, but is virtually unknown in product manufacture.
The advantages to Siemens are twofold.
First, labour savings in the stores keeps downward pressure on operating costs.
Secondly, sensitive electronic components are only handled at the point of assembly, eliminating double handling and the risk of damage if they were to be incorporated into a kit of parts.
For both storage and transportation, two sizes of plastic container are used measuring 400 by 600 by 320 or 120mm, maximum container weight when loaded being 35kg.
Assembly stations are served by simple, passive shelves on which up to 12 containers may be stored.
Every shelf and container is bar coded, allowing operators to identify the components and to inform the goods handling computer when containers are running out.
The latter action has the effect of issuing an instruction to one of the AGVs to pick up an appropriate container from the stores and replenish the shelf position, returning the empty container at the same time.
Capacity of the system is 1,200 container movements in a 24-hour period.
Indumat developed for this application two AGVs with a rack structure for eight containers.
To make it possible for them to be picked up and deposited at either side and at any rack level, the vehicles have a lift mast with a telescopic fork and an on-board turntable for container manipulation.
These vehicles are assisted within the Leipzig factory by six pallet-carrying Indumat AGVs equipped with telescopic forks that transport the larger items such as plastic mouldings from stores to the production area.
Each vehicle has all-wheel steering for manoeuvrability, and is laser-guided to allow for easy revision of the travel route as and when required.
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