What are Automated Guided Vehicles?

What are AGV?

AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) for pallets are meant for transporting as well as storing different materials in industries and operations like:

• Factories
• Warehouses
• Distribution center
• Shipping areas.

By using AGVs you can make your material handling process safe and secure, more efficient, and increase your business profitability.

The self-directed operation of AGV systems eliminates human error, which can result in expensive damages and blunders during picking and loading. The interchangeability of individual AGVs ensures system redundancy

For moving products, machinery, and materials during the production process, manufacturing and also in many other industries have a high demand for this form of material handling equipment.

Workers no longer need to be exposed to risky working conditions because of the advancements in AGV solutions because an autonomous guided vehicle created especially for the task can take their place.

Top Industries can help you to integrate AGV for pallets that are used in your business. Some of the benefits offered by AGV manufacturing companies include:

• Rapid implementation and start-up
• Significantly lower the cost of operation than manual alternatives
• Increased productivity and efficiency
• Reduced labor requirements
• Significantly decreased product damage
• Improved occupational health and safety
• Enhanced product traceability
• Better space utilization
• Improved dispatch and shipping accuracy

AGV for pallets applications

The following are a few typical applications of AGVs.

1. Raw material handling

The AGVs can handle different types of raw materials like:

• Plastic
• Paper
• Rubber
• Steel

The AGVs can transport raw materials from stores to production lines.

2. Work in progress handling

In production lines, this class of AGVs handles intermediate items. They also guarantee uninterrupted manufacturing.

3. Hazardous material handling

A hazardous material is also moved with AGVs. Modern AGV technology has been developed by the AGV industry to increase safety when handling hazardous chemicals.

4. Pallet handling with AGV for pallets

Pallets or crates can be moved by AGV solutions more quickly and easily than by humans, and with no strain or damage.

5. Finished product handling

To deal with specialty finished products custom tooling on AGVs allows the load handling equipment to transport and secure products or goods.

6. Automated storage and retrieval

AGVs facilitate reaching and storing merchandise. Some AGV solutions currently use artificial intelligence technology for mapping the warehouse in 3D and function without any human input.

Types of AGV Forklifts

The following are a few different varieties of AGV forklifts available on the market:

1. AGV forklift pallet stacker

The same job as a pallet mover is performed by AGV forklift pallet stackers, but without restrictions on vertical movement and weight capability. Over a ton can be lifted many feet on a pallet rack using a high-performance AGV forklift pallet stacker.

They lack the unique features of an AGV forklift but nevertheless perform similarly to a forklift.

2. Clamp AGV forklift

Without its typical forks, a clamp AGV forklift comes with an odd and distinctive structure. They are made to move bulky, rotatable objects, including metal reels and rolls.

To prevent damage or improper handling, a laser positioning device makes sure the load is positioned correctly. Clamps can be designed to grab a load, such as a roll of paper that is positioned vertically, or they can be forklift-like and lift the weight.

3. Counterbalanced AGV forklift

A counterbalanced AGV forklift has got a large payload capacity since the weight of its cargo is balanced against it. The AGV forklift’s counterbalance weight is either an additional cast iron piece or a battery pack at the back.

In addition to having a large payload capacity, these can lift objects higher than pallet stackers, regardless of their load weight.

4. Pallet mover with AGV for pallets

These AGVs, often known as fork-over AGVs, are pallet vehicles used to move pallet loads. Since they can transport loaded pallets more effectively from one place to another without disrupting the process, they are a way for replacing the need for pallet jackets.

A pallet mover’s design is comparable to a pallet jack, and also it has the same restrictions on vertical movement.

AGVs are more maneuverable when stabilizers are positioned beneath the forks of a pallet mover because they are smaller, lighter, and have tighter turning radii.

The under-fork stabilizers only allow single-faced pallets without a base framework to be moved by pallet movers.

5. Reach truck with AGV for pallets

Similar to straddle AGV forklifts, AGV reach forklifts are built to operate in warehouses with tight aisles and include outer legs for added load support.

In order to increase maneuverability, the mast present on an AGV reach forklift stretches the prongs outside the vehicle’s footprint. Reach AGV forklifts or vehicles have the advantage of working with double-deck pallets.

6. Straddle AGV forklifts

The outrigger kind of AGV forklift known as the “straddle AGV” has a short footprint, a high payload, and stacking capabilities.

They can carry heavier and bigger weights because of their stabilizing legs, which are outside and parallel to the lifting forks. The stabilizing legs are suitably wide to prevent obstructing the load’s width.

Straddle AGV forklifts are more flexible and take up less room than counterbalanced AGV forklifts. The additional legs increase the load’s stability during lifting and moving.

Straddle AGV forklifts are an excellent option for warehousing and tightly packed items since they can maneuver through short aisles and small locations.

7. VNA (Very Narrow Aisle) forklifts

In big, high-volume warehouses, using VNA AGV forklifts for lifting operations is an effective solution. A VNA AGV forklift has forks that are positioned on the side and project outward from the side. They can go along very constrained and congested passageways thanks to their architecture.

Due to their adaptability, VNA AGV forklifts are able to travel in a variety of directions, including forward, backward, turning, spinning, and drifting.

They may adapt to a wide range of applications’ needs and performance specifications. Due to their remarkable transportation performance, VNA AGV forklifts are regarded as the most effective AGV forklifts.

If you are looking for AGVs for your company, then there are several suppliers available who can offer you customized AGV for pallets solutions for your application.