Andon-Triggered AGV Material Logistics
Typical system composition
The system described comprises magnetic- or optical-guided automated guided vehicles (AGVs), magnetic guide strips, RFID landmarks, a wireless call and control network, material carts, rollers at docking stations, lifts, belt conveyors, line-feeding and line-unloading mechanisms, component indicator lights, traffic lights, E-FRAME, a travelling line, industrial computers and control software.
It is intended mainly for factory workshops and large distribution centres, automatically delivering materials or goods on demand to reduce manual handling and improve efficiency.
Example: finished goods into storage
The DA line on floor 2 (2F) requests finished-goods collection using its wireless call box. An AGV leaves its 2F standby point and automatically docks with the line-side powered roller conveyor. Finished goods transfer to the AGV's onboard powered rollers. After docking and transfer are complete, the AGV travels via lift No. 11 to the finished-goods unloading point on floor 1 or the basement (1F/BF), docks with the warehouse powered rollers and transfers the goods. It then returns via lift No. 11 to the 2F standby point, completing one cycle. Other finished-goods collection points follow the same call-and-delivery sequence.
Example: packaging materials to a production line
DA-line staff on 2F press the packaging-material call box. The AGV leaves the 2F standby point, travels via lift No. 22 to the basement packaging-material loading point, docks automatically and transfers materials from the powered loading rollers onto its onboard rollers. It then returns via lift No. 22 and stops automatically at the DA-line packaging-material station. Staff unload the materials manually and restart the AGV manually. It returns to the 2F standby point and waits, completing one cycle. Other packaging-material delivery stations use the same sequence.
System diagrams and screens
