• Admin Animix
• November 30, 2022
• 5 Comments

In contrast to autonomous mobile robots (AMR), an automated guided vehicle (AGV) follows along long lines on the floor, or uses radio waves, vision cameras, magnets, or lasers to navigate. During the late 20th century, applications of agv casters began to expand. They are most often used in industrial applications to transport heavy materials around large industrial buildings, such as factories or warehouses.They can tow raw materials or finished products behind them in trailers to which they can attach autonomously. In addition to moving raw materials or finished products, the AGV can also store objects on a bed. It is possible to place the objects on motorized rollers (conveyors) and then reverse them to push them off. There are many uses for AGVs, including pulp, paper, metals, newspapers, and general manufacturing. They are also used to transport food, linen, and medicine in hospitals.In Germany the technology is also known as Fahrerloses Transport system (FTS), and in Sweden it is called Foreclose Truckar. Lower cost versions of AGVs are called Automated Guided Carts (AGCs) and are usually guided by magnetic tape. In some cases, AMR is used to differentiate mobile robots that do not rely on extra infrastructure in their environment (like magnetic strips or visual markers) from those that do; the latter are referred to as AGVs.Various AGV models are available for moving products across an assembly line, transporting goods throughout a plant or warehouse, or delivering goods.At the time, the first AGV was offered by Barrett Electronics of Northbrook, Illinois, and it followed a wire in the floor rather than a rail in the floor. As a result of this technology, a new type of AGV was developed that followed invisible UV markers on the floor instead of being towed by chains. It was the Willis Tower in Chicago, Illinois that was the first to install such a system to deliver mail to all its offices.

What is the need for shock-absorbing AGV casters?

As an automatic handling tool, AGV caster wheels are mostly used indoors. However, there may be some potholes even if the ground is smooth. These small potholes can cause AGV caster wheels without shock absorption to slip, causing stalling and reducing the life of the motor and driving wheel.In addition, some AGV objects are fragile, and sometimes the cars pile up a lot of goods. When the car shakes violently, the goods on board are easily broken and fall off.AGV casters must be equipped with damping modules. However, since AGV is an emerging industry, only a few companies specialize in AGV casters and are able to provide damping modules.AGV caster damping system derived from automobile damping systems Xinchen’s technical team works to resolve this problem after understanding the needs of a large number of customers.As there are no precedents and references in the industry, it is very difficult to begin from scratch. After several concepts and experiments, we found that the conventional method cannot meet AGV caster shock absorption requirements.

AGV caster wheels with springs

There are two high-quality and precise plane bearings attached to the bracket of spring loaded AGV casters. They are tightened and fixed with a thick central bolt that is extremely strong and stable. The casters rotate without gaps, are completely silent, very durable, and flexible.The shock-absorbing parts are made of high-quality and high-elasticity rubber blocks with up to five springs with different sizes, lengths, and elasticity’s. Therefore, by adjusting the springs, many kinds of shock-absorbing parts can be obtained with different elastic characteristics, which can meet the requirements of different customers for different loads weights and different initial and maximum damping loads. There is a flexible range of 20KG~500KG. For more information, please contact us.Aluminum alloy wheels (multiple anti-gumming) are outsourced and high-quality TPU is bonded and vulcanized. The 85 degree TPU is very strong and can also take into account load requirements. It has the characteristics of high elasticity, ultra-quiet, ground protection, anti-winding and traction. It is ideal for logistics trolleys and AGV balance wheels in various auto parts factories.

What are the applications of Automated Guided Vehicles?

Automotive assembly, aerospace manufacturing, power generation, rail, food and steel processing, chemical, commercial printing, hospitals, paper mills, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and warehousing and distribution facilities are some of the industries that use industrial AGV systems. For these industries to operate efficiently, material handling equipment must be tailored to the specific needs of the industry. The ability of AGVs to seamlessly integrate into an existing operation, improve overall processes, or become a driving design element of a new, efficient assembly design makes them the ideal vehicle to improve existing material handling processes.Many industries employ AGV systems in their Maintenance & Repair departments. AGVs are adaptable to a variety of applications, from traversing heavy wheel sets in a rail maintenance facility to running parts in an aviation repair shop.

AGVs: What are the benefits?

Once a product is loaded onto an AGV, it is highly accountable, minimizing misplacement. While labor costs tend to rise and change rapidly based on a variety of circumstances, an automated guided vehicle system can be very predictable. Its path can be changed as production and handling needs evolve.Additionally, AGVs eliminate access issues created by conveyors and require less space than conventional forklifts, allowing for narrower aisles, increasing storage space within a facility. AGV systems can be used to charge and handle batteries automatically, minimizing component wear. Get more info about Medical Caster Wheels.The manufacturer and facility operator can also track the health of each unit in real-time with industry 4.0 smart-technology on an automatic guided vehicle. A human-machine interface (HMI) screen on the operator control panel helps locate the unit within the facility, alert when it needs charging, and plan maintenance. Industry has recently transitioned from preventative to predictive maintenance, which has shown great results in improving material handling equipment reliability. If operators know something is going to happen before it does, they can take an AGV off the line and have it assessed by a technician. This will avoid downtime before something serious takes it out of service. The equipment company you source your AGV design and build services from should understand the unique requirements and challenges of industrial environments. This will enable these remote monitoring capabilities.Automated Guided Vehicles have smooth acceleration/deceleration, handle products gently, reduce product damage, perform repetitive movement tasks predictably, and because of their reliability, are extremely reliable. In any assembly, manufacturing or warehousing operation, additional AGVs can be added to expand capacity and throughput as well as improve scheduling capabilities and efficiency.