AUTOMATED MATERIAL AND MAIL DELIVERY

Improving information flow is a priority for most plants, warehouses and other large facilities and it typically involves large expenditures for IT or people spend a lot of non-value added time walking paperwork around. Creform® Corporation (Greer, SC) has successfully tackled a key aspect of this problem and they've done it using their own technology, without the expense, delay and headaches that often accompany ambitious IT projects.

While a great deal of information is handled electronically these days, there is still a lot of paper that needs to flow between departments on a regular basis to keep an operation running smoothly. Creform is speeding the flow of mail, parcels and paperwork relating to orders within its own plant and reducing mailroom labor costs by using one of its own Courier automated guided vehicles (AGVs) as an automated mailman. Unlike the costly and difficult-to-install AGV systems of the past, these AGCs are cost effective and rapidly deployed. That's because the vehicles can be created and customized using the Creform® System of plastic-coated steel pipe, metal joints and hardware accessories that can be easily configured to build the desired structure.

Installation of these systems is similarly low cost and non-interruptive with no need to dig up the floor. That's because the vehicles require only Creform adhesive-backed magnetic tape on the floor to designate their guidepath. The tape is read by a magnetic induction sensor on the drive unit. Needless to say, the AGV's route can be easily modified if needs change.

The mail AGV travels a guidepath of approximately 1/4 mile, navigating the entire route twice an hour. It automatically controls exterior roll up doors via photocell, and assures safety through an array of features, including an audible warning device, a flashing light, E-stop buttons, a non-contact object detector and a safety bumper. It has a speed of 4-50 m/min (13-164 ft/min), capacity of 280 kg (620 lb), and a minimum turning radius of 600 mm (24 in). The 24-volt system is powered by two 12-volt lead acid batteries and plugs into any 115 volt, 60 HZ, 15 amp outlet for recharging.

The mail vehicle features a package tray on top for boxes and totes, and large, clearly marked file drawers on the side for the various internal departments. Simple, bold, visual tags (NO MAIL or YOU'VE GOT MAIL) let associates know at a glance if they need to unload the AGV. There are six typical stops on a mail route: the tech center, inventory control, picking, assembly, shipping/receiving, and packing. Each stop is for a pre-set period of time, though associates can press the vehicle's stop button if they need more time, then send it on its way by simply pressing the start button. When its work day is done the AGV is plugged in overnight for recharging, and it's ready to go again in the morning. Having proved its usefulness in its own plant, the company is looking to export this application to other factories as well as distribution centers, medical labs, check processing centers, remittance processing areas and the many other locations that can benefit from cost effective, automated mail delivery.

The need to efficiently transport material within a factory, warehouse or distribution center doesn't lessen when turns are tight and aisles are narrow. That's where the Tite-Space BST AGV Tugger comes in. This AGV is especially well suited for delivering to line-side assembly points when space is at a premium. With a minimum turning radius of 400 mm (17.5 in) it slips into tight spots and leaves just as easily. Like all BST AGVs, the Tite-Space features a low-profile, sleek design consisting of a drive motor, 24-volt DC power supply, and guidance sensors. It travels in a single direction along an easily installed magnetic tape guidepath at speeds of (4-50 m/min) and glides under stationary pushcarts, engaging the cart by extending a catch pin into the cart's BST interface. The BST unit then conveys the cart to the required workstations or load/unload points further along the magnetic guidepath, retracts the pin to disengage the cart and is free to travel to further points and move additional carts.

A variety of carts can be moved, provided the undercarriage of all the carts is alike and have the BST interface. A major advantage of the Tite-Space unit, like all BST AGVs, is its ability to mobilize multiple carts with a single drive unit, making it an economical alternative to other delivery methods. For larger operations, a series of BST drive units can power an entire fleet of carts. The Tite-Space unit boasts a maximum towed weight/draw bar of 600 kg (1320 lb)/26 kg (57 lb) depending on floor conditions and caster selection. For safety it has electromagnetic breaking, audible warning and flashing light, obstacle sensor, bumper switch and e-stop. It also has a battery tray cart for easy battery changing. Command tapes initiate AGV functions such as speed changes, route selection and extend/retract tow pin, but control options include PLC, RF, RFID, and optical communicator. As always with Creform AGV products, superior service and support programming are featured, plus cart/structure designs, and kitting or assembly assistance along with route layout installation if required.

Along with a common sense approach to move parts and products, the Tite-Space AGV may well be representative of the wave of the future. According to a recently released study, Productivity in the New Economy, devices like the Tite-Space unit fit well with the mindset of today's younger, tech-savvy, Generation Y workers. By allowing them to deploy automated devices and offering opportunities for them to participate in system configuration rather than spend time manually moving parts and product, this type of automation can help unlock worker creativity, thus further boosting productivity. In the era of global competition, the contributions of skilled and innovative workers can prove the difference between success and failure.

———————————————————————————————–

www.creform.com