{"id":12112,"date":"2017-07-20T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-07-19T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.argonandco.com\/news-insights\/articles\/nine-best-practices-automated-guided-vehicle-agv-implementation-sandy-springs-atlanta-ga\/"},"modified":"2020-12-17T17:28:36","modified_gmt":"2020-12-17T17:28:36","slug":"nine-best-practices-automated-guided-vehicle-agv-implementation-sandy-springs-atlanta-ga","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.argonandco.com\/us\/news-insights\/articles\/nine-best-practices-automated-guided-vehicle-agv-implementation-sandy-springs-atlanta-ga\/","title":{"rendered":"Nine best practices for automated guided vehicle (AGV) implementation"},"content":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s been more than 60 years since the first Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) began moving product through warehouses, and the technology is still going strong.\u00a0 Research and Markets reports \u201cthe automated guided vehicle market is expected to reach USD 2.68 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 9.34% between 2017 and 2022.\u201d\u00a0 Compared to Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), AGVs are not only more flexible and more easily scaled, but also involve a smaller capital expense and can be implemented in an existing warehouse with fewer structural modifications.<\/p>\n

While AGV technology can reduce costs, increase safety, operate 24\/7 and reduce damage, the road to automation nirvana can be a perilous.\u00a0 Here we\u2019ll review some of the factors to consider when seeking to ease the transition from traditional warehouse logistics to a fully automated AGV system.<\/p>\n

1. Pilot on a Small Scale<\/strong><\/p>\n

Like any major technology or process change, it\u2019s a good idea to pilot the use of AGVs on small scale. Introduction of AGV technology in a limited area of the facility \u00a0can help acclimate the team to the new system, highlight potential challenges before the system scales warehouse-wide and buildout infrastructure to reduce risk.<\/p>\n

2. Consider Outside Costs<\/strong><\/p>\n

Integration of AGVs into a traditional warehouse setting can involve a number of potential costs beyond the AGV vendor\u2019s purchase order. To prepare the site for its new robotic friends, one must consider things such as the costs of business & PLC systems integration, conveyor and system upgrades, an enhanced and extended design effort, structural repairs, and layout changes that may be required to make the facility AGV-ready.<\/p>\n

3. Slow and Steady is the Only Race<\/strong><\/p>\n

AGVs provide fixed capacity and do not respond well to a choppy operation (without prohibitive cost).\u00a0 They will force upstream (manufacturing) and downstream (transportation) operations to improve\u2014willingly or not. The daily influx of drivers dropping trailers before lunch will no longer be possible. You may need to evaluate adjacent operations to help smooth material flows and address causes of variability.<\/p>\n

4. Know Your AGV Vendor<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the field of AGV technology, there are a lot of great companies and account representatives with skilled execution teams, but there are not so great ones as well. Since accuracy in design and installation are critical, make sure you know who will be delivering your system and the amount of time they will be spending on your project.\u00a0 While not all vendors will be able to provide this information early on, they should do so before you ink the deal.<\/p>\n

5. Define Detailed Design Data and Assumptions<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is an obvious point, but it needs to be underscored. Simulated data must include all movements within the warehouse under AGV control, including:<\/p>\n