A New Generation of Heavy Capacity AGV Systems

A new generation of very heavy capacity AGV Systems is emerging in the form of self-contained, engine/generator powered AGV heavy transporters for assembly applications of heavy products or process applications where loads of 30 tons and greater must be handled, yet provide all of the nimble characteristics of conventional lighter capacity AGV systems.  This new AGV technology allows multiple AGVs to come together under single large loads and work in tandem whenever the length and/or width of the loads require.  Until now tandem operating AGV systems have been studied in theory, but Wheelift offers the first practical  application in situations where the loads  are significantly greater than 30-tons.

This new generation of heavy load moving system AGVS, dramatically expands the roll of AGVS systems in heavier manufacturing and process environments.  Because of the extremely heavy loads being handled, and the duty cycles required, these new wireless technology systems use an LPG engine/generator package to provide continuous uninterrupted power.  These new AGV systems can handle both inside and outside operations on factory floors and surface conditions that would not be possible with conventional AGVS.

As part of the Waverly, Iowa based Doerfer group of companies, TDS Automation Inc has been quietly building an expanding presence in automated material handling and manufacturing systems for several years, where they have specialized in very custom PLC based systems that the leading conventional AGV companies, like HK Systems, FMC, Frog, and Jervis B Webb were not willing to supply in favor of their own proprietary technologies.  Because of there willingness to develop and furnish customer requested AGV systems with PLC controls , it has proven to be the corner-stone of TDS’s expanding roll in sophisticated custom AGV based manufacturing systems  by now adding the ability to build much heavier capacity AGV systems that too has dramatically expanded those capabilities.

For applications that require the automated moving of very heavy loads, TDS has opted to use the Savant AGV systems inertial guidance technology, where travel is along a virtual path.  Savant is a major leader in the field of virtual path inertial guidance based on solid state gyroscope navigation assists.  Savant has a highly credible history, dating back to their beginnings as Rapistan, who were the nation’s leading conveyor systems manufacturer for many years before developing many of the first major AGV systems and installations.  Rapistan was then purchased by Dematic, which was in turn purchased by Siemens. 

Ultimately Siemens elected to no longer directly pursue that line of business and agreed to release the rights to a number of their highly specialized navigation technologies to a group of their employees.  The key engineers and sales people in the Grand Rapids based Siemens AGV Systems group broke away to set up the Savant AGV Systems group which now enjoys the legacy from the current and former major names in materials handling: Rapistan, Dematic, and Siemens.

Along with the incorporation of Savant’s inertial guidance technology, the Wheelift based single and tandem operating AGV systems with their fluid equalizing suspension have become another key element in the ability to build much heavier capacity automatic guided vehicles.  In 2005, the Doerfer Companies recognized an industry potential in heavier capacity automated handling systems. To further expand their foundation in custom-built automatic guided vehicles, Doerfer Companies acquired the patented Wheelift suspension technology.

Wheelift single and tandem operating AGV Systems primarily fall in the category of unit load carriers. Wheelift’s electric all-wheel drive AGV unit load carriers and guided heavy transporters have six inches or more vertical lift for self-loading, as an inherent function of their equalizing suspension system. Literally, an LP engine powered 40 ton or even a 100 ton AGV can have an overall carrier deck height of less than nineteen inches.  That is, they are designed to lower down and drive under stand supported loads by approaching and exiting from any direction, then lift and carry subassembly loads to the next assembly station.  This capability makes them ideally suited as assembly line AGV systems where very heavy products like mining trucks, steam and turbine generators, huge heat exchangers, and similar very heavy products are concerned.  

While battery operated vehicles are the industry norms for conventional capacity AGVS, the Wheelift LP gas driven onboard generating systems provide an unlimited surplus of power for the most demanding heavy AGV operations.  LEAN manufacturing can now be more than a buzz word.  Very heavy products can easily now be built in ultra slow moving LEAN-based assembly lines.  Stall-built applications too can now take on new dimensions with AGVs that have no restrictions on how heavy the components to be carried can weigh. These new-generation AGV systems have greatly expanded maneuverability, with the ability to move sideways, rotate on their own center line, and lift and lower.

With the capability to operate in tandem, with two, three, four, or more tandem operating AGV transporters under single very long and/or very wide loads, the Wheelift technology opens a new era in heavy assembly operations.