AGV (Automatic Guided Vehicles)

FLEXITRACK by EASTERN DOORS is a new Division introduced to bring products to our customers which can greatly increase their productivity yet reducing their operating costs.

Systems can cost from less than £20,000 per AGV.

See the example of labour costs opposite to see that these systems are cost effective.

Laundries have already chosen the FLEXITRACK® for the automatic conveying of "roll-cages" in their facilities.

Their first function is to take the empty cages automatically from the dirty linen zone towards the clean clothes despatch area to pick up protected clean product. The cages are then loaded.

The second function is to move the loaded cages automatically towards the area where the rounds are prepared.

The third function is to despatch to each individual loading bay ready to load onto the trucks.

Collect up empty cages and repeat the process. Repetitive, time consuming, expensive labouring task.

The FLEXITRACK® AGVs are equipped with a system of automatic uncoupling using hooks specially designed to be used on all types of wire cages.

ONE AGV, a simple track laying system, RIFD installation at each point where actions have to be taken and programme the system.

In only one day you have a fully automated system, working 24 hour shifts, 265 days a year

Have you ever considered exactly how many hours are worked in an eight hour shift by a full time worker?

MYTHS

Among the many myths are that the floor will have to be reconstructed, underground cables, health and safety problems of AGVs running over people, always breaking down and down-time due to flat batteries.

EXAMPLE

Out of 365 days each year, deduct 28 days holiday, avg 5 days sick leave, 4 days training/H&S, leaving 328 working days.

In each 8 hour shift, you lose 15 minutes at the start of the day, getting ready for work, and 15 minutes getting ready to go home, 15 minutes getting ready to go for lunch and coming back, 30 minutes of comfort breaks during the day. 15 minutes talking to colleagues during the day. Conservatively you get

six and a half hours actual work.

If your labour costs you £20,000 each year, including NI, pensions, sick pay etc, the cost is £20,000 div. 328 div 6.5 or £9.38 per hour.

Flexitrack, working 8 hour day, 365 days, less 8 bank holidays, is 8 x 357 x £9.38 is going to recover £26,789 at the same hourly rate in its first year.

Plus . . . cost savings for no supervisor, no training manager, no HT manager

And . . no tea breaks !

SAFETY

The issue of safety has long gone from the use of AGVs with them having fail safe systems incorporated which stop the truck working if any safety system is not functioning or is activated by someone within its protected zone. With 360 degree surveillance by the truck when operating, no-one can get near it while it is working.

Move Flowers from "Goods In" to the packing area . . . . . . .

Move prepared foods from production area to chiller . . . . . . . .

Order pick in the warehouse, send out to the loading bay area . . . . . .

Move components from Stores to the assembly area . . . . .

Use to enhance your JIT processes . . . . . . . .

OPERATION

The simple system of laying reflective tape on the surface of the floor and inserting RFID to give instructions to the vehicle at junctions or where there is a choice of actions you wish it to make. Add to this an instruction to automatically go to the battery charging area whenever it is not in use.

For more intensive use, the system can incorporate an induction system in the floor which eliminates the need for batteries.

All actions have a simple instruction system which can be programmed by each work station as required.

If you would like more information on AGVs, let us have your contact details and we will get back in touch.

SPECIAL OFFER

We are currently looking for good demonstrations sites - Could you benefit by using AGVs in your operation.

Take advantage of major discounts by allowing us to demonstrate on your site and video your working system. There is no better way to sell a product than seeing it in action in a "live" situation and being able to ask the user questions.