The automated guided vehicle system market is designed to autonomously transport materials within manufacturing facilities. It basically eliminates the need for an onboard driver.
The Applications
The automated guided vehicle system market takes over functions generally carried out by forklifts or manual carts. It efficiently transports large quantities of materials in a consistent and repetitive cycle. AGVs are utilized in various applications. It is particularly for moving raw materials like metal or paper.
AGVs are capable of moving raw materials from the receiving section to the warehouse or straight to the production lines as necessary. They provide a dependable and automated solution for transporting raw materials. They ensure that materials are always available and production runs smoothly without human involvement or delays.
These vehicles are useful not only for moving raw materials but also in ongoing production tasks and for transporting finished goods. They subsequently help streamline production and manufacturing operations. Work in process generally describes goods that partially complete. It often transitions quickly from raw materials to final products such as in manufacturing.
AGVs are essential in the applications as they move materials or components from storage areas to production lines or between workstations. They ensure an automated and efficient material movement in the manufacturing process. AGVs help avoid delays in manufacturing by ensuring that materials are continuously supplied to production lines. Without them, operations may pause as workers need to fetch materials from storage.
AGVs assist in outbound and inbound material handling by moving inventory right from receiving areas to storage or replenishing stock. They do so by transporting goods from prolonged storage to picking locations. When inventory moves from prolonged storage to picking locations, it ensures that adequate stock is always within reach of pickers. It therefore enhances the overall efficiency of the order fulfillment process.
Mobile robots help streamline the picking process. It is by aiding workers along with transferring the picked items to the appropriate packing and shipping stations.
The Types
The automated guided vehicle system market size is growing and it comes in different types. Many shares characteristics with traditional human vehicles. But they come to run autonomously. It requires no direct human input or guidance.
1. AGV carts
It is the simplest AGV type featuring basic functionality. Navigation can vary from basic magnetic type systems to sophisticated and sensor-based systems for environment navigation. These carts can handle various materials. It ranges from small components to loaded pallets. They are also frequently employed in sorting and storage docking tasks.
2. Forklift AGV
These are another popular AGV type. They are able to carry out the same tasks as human forklifts such as transporting pallets but without requiring an operator.
3. Towing
Towing AGVs are able to pull non-powered load carriers which move in a train-like setup. These vehicles travel on wheels and are able to transport goods.
4. Unit load AGV
These are responsible for carrying discrete loads. Whether that is an individual item or a single unit like a pallet and tote with multiple products.
5. Heavy burden AGV
Another type of the automated guided vehicle system market is the heavy burden. These are types that can handle the heaviest loads. That includes those in large assembly and plate transport. These vehicles may have capabilities to self-load and can have different steering types.