AGVs find their way to greater flexibility

The automated guided vehicle (AGV), one of the popular new technologies of the 1980s, is now seen more as a part of automated handling systems not a standalone concept. It is now applied across a range of industries and several applications are described. At Denso Manufacturing, AGVs are used as tugs to tow trailers delivering components to production lines, while at Perkins Engines they carry both part kits and finished engines to and from assembly dressing lines. At Kodak they handle heavy paper rolls serving coating machines. These applications use the traditional embedded wire navigation technology. Other guidance techniques are described including the more flexible laser scanner, which is being applied in a Belgian fruit and vegetable market to transport pre‐packed products to dispatch lines. Details are also given of an automatic docking system and a standard pallet truck that is available as a complete automated package with laser guidance.