The US Patent Office has issued a patent for technology that can synchronize the movement of Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs). When applied as a manufacturing solution,the new technology could eventually reduce or even eliminate the need for conveyor-driven assembly lines.
AGVs are unmanned vehicles that can be used to move, manipulate or package products within a manufacturing facility, warehouse or other business. Unlike previous generations of AGVs, newer models can move autonomously and don’t need to follow wires, magnetic tape or other directional systems.
May Replace Conveyor Belts
The new technology approved by the patent office for Jervis G. Webb Company — a subsidiary of Daifuku Webb Holding Company — allows AGVs to travel at an equal distance continually along a line or path, according to a company news release. This continuous motion allows AGVs to be used in assembly operations, replacing traditional conveyor systems.
The advantage of AGVs over conveyor-based assembly lines is that they can instantly be reprogrammed for any configuration you want. This type of increased flexibility allows the path of synchronized AGVs to be quickly installed and modified to meet changing production needs.
Can Be Instantly Reconfigured
Traditional conveyor-based assembly lines have to be shut down before they can be physically reconfigured, a process that can takes weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the line. During that down-time, production is often halted or severely compromised.
But the new technology developed by Jervis G. Webb Company means this changeover can be performed instantaneously, literally with the push of a single button. Plus, AGV systems are scalable, so they allow capacity to be easily increased or decreased by adding or removing vehicles from the production line.
It’s an exciting time for manufacturers who use production lines because this new technology could revolutionize the way products are products, as well as how quickly manufacturers will be able to respond to changes in the marketplace and consumer demands.
‘A Great Leap Forward’
The technology was developed by Christopher Murphy, vice president of software and control engineering at Jervis B. Webb. Murphy is responsible for a great leap forward in assembly line technology, according to Brian Stewart, chairman, president and CEO of Daifuku Webb.
“We are fortunate to have Chris among our team of software and control engineers,” Stewart said in a company news release. “His innovative spirit of developing new systems helps us better serve our customers. We encourage and celebrate our colleague’s contributions, which ultimately keeps us ahead in the material handling industry.”
Webb currently provides AGV installations for manufacturing plants and warehouses worldwide. The robotic vehicles provide optimal flexibility and are ideal for moving materials across assembly plant floors or transporting goods through a warehouse or production facility.