AGV improves food manufacturer’s efficiency

In its quest to automate, a major food manufacturer sought to answer one question: Can a single automatic guided vehicle (AGV) improve efficiency? Tasked with automating the movement of work-in-process, a single-vehicle system includes comprehensive, yet simple software, which allows facility personnel to monitor the AGV and easily modify the system for future plant changes.

Although it can be difficult for single-vehicle solutions to meet ROI targets, the system can perform three different movements: storage of empty and full containers in two-high racking or on the floor; delivery of empty and full containers to and from the processing area; and delivery of empty and full containers to and from the packaging area.

In addition, across the system, this vehicle covers approximately 140 feet in a single trip, and it runs 24 hours per day, seven days per week. The AGV also uses laser navigation and integrates seamlessly into the warehouse operation, as it communicates with the plant’s warehouse management system (WMS). The unit has a carrying capacity of 3,000 pounds and a lift height of more than 5 feet. The vehicle also achieves a maximum speed of 300 feet per minute, to provide timely delivery of materials and ensure the safety of plant workers.

Once the vehicle receives a move request from the WMS, it performs one of the three maneuvers. While using its equipped forks, the AGV carries the 7x4-foot containers throughout the warehouse. The software ensures that all material movement requests are completed in accordance with a given priority level, which optimizes the material flow.

As a whole, the single-vehicle solution has had a tremendous impact on the food manufacturer’s plant operations, from improved efficiency to a quick ROI. The manufacturer has even had plans for another phase of automation that will use AGVs, before the installation of its first AGV was even completed.

JBT Corporation
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