AGVS Design Features

Several design features pertaining to AGVS are common to other material handling systems. But, there are various special features unique to the AGVS, such like stopping accuracy, safety, facilities and maintenance.

A very significant attribute of the AGVS system is "Stopping Accuracy" and this varies considerably with the nature and needs of the system. A system along with automatic load transfer needs high stopping accuracy. In case of manual load transfer, lower stopping accuracy is needed. Additionally to that, unit load transporters are utilized for systems that need higher accuracy. In an AGVS, the stopping accuracy is provided by the feedback of Computer Control Systems. Stopping accuracy based on the applications, for instance, ± 0.001 inch for machine tool interfaces , ± 1 inch or more for towing & light-load vehicles, and ± 3 inch for a manual system.

Several considerations are undertaken when designing the AGVS, as incorporation of automatic door-opening devices, elevators etc. Security features such like emergency contact bumpers & stop buttons, automatic warning signals, object detectors, and stopping devices should be built in the AGVS. These features should be of paramount significance in the minds of the designers so as to ignore the human injuries & damage to other equipment, materials, & vehicle itself.