Automated Guided Vehicle - AGV

Alstrut AGV5 series is a robust and light weight automated guided vehicle.  The battery operated Alstrut AGV uses a magnetic tape navigation technology, where the vehicle sights the magnetic tape using a non-contact magnetic sensor.  Using the sensor’s linear proportional output, and processed through state of the art programmable controller, the vehicle can be programmed to move on a customized route & administer various functions.  The AGV5 series is designed to move in a single direction.

Operated by a battery, AGV has the mobility to move across the shop floor and not limited to a specific area because of wires / other mechanical constraints.  It can operate non-stop for up to 8 hours and has a quick recharge time of 3 hours.

The AGV is built in with standard features including an emergency stop switch, a main power on/off switch and a safety interference sensor.  The interference sensor prevents the vehicle from colliding with a human or other moving / stationary object or equipment.  The vehicle is configured with a hooter and emergency light built on to it to alert the movement of the vehicle on the shop floor, as well to alert the operator in case of any error.  In the situation that the vehicle is knocked off the path, intelligence is built into the vehicle to stop and indicate an alarm.

The Alstrut AGV family also has vehicles that have the capability of moving bi-directional along the defined path.  The AGV can be programmed to traverse a predefined route.  With built in intelligence, the AGV can be configured to take decisions on selection of multiple paths in the factory.  Touch panel interface enables to modify route information quickly, as well as to observe operational data such as time since last charge, overall distance traversed in the day / shift / since last recharge, current battery charge etc.

Magnetic tape navigation uses a magnetic tape that is quite rugged and can be used in normal industrial shop floors which may be soiled, oily or subject to vibration.  To protect the magnetic tape on shop floor which may be subject to extreme traffic, the tape could be covered with a non-ferrous material such as stainless steel sheet or aluminum.  As the tape is easy to install, the tape can be easily re-laid when there is a change in the layout or path of the vehicle.