Automated Guided Vehicle Systems
Automatic Guided Vehicle incorporates 360° safety feature.
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Press Release Summary:
Used in palletizing applications, Q20ZA automated guided vehicle (AGV) is equipped with dual Sick S300 Safety Laser scanners that provide 360° field of protection. Each scanner, positioned on opposite corners of AGV, is linked to vehicle's PLC and wheel-drive encoder. If obstruction is detected in warning zone, vehicle slows down to a halt until obstruction is removed. Safety scanners also automatically change sensing ranges based on speed and steering angle.
Original Press Release:
QComp Technologies, Inc. Offers New 360° Safety Feature for AGVs
Greenville, Wis. (June 5, 2007) - Effective today, QComp Technologies, Inc. will equip its automated guided vehicles (AGVs) with a new 360-degree safety feature. The new vehicle, called the Q20ZA and used in palletizing applications, utilizes two Sick S300 Safety Laser scanners that provide a 360-degree field of protection around the vehicle.
Unlike most AGVs, which go slower and operate "blind" in one direction, the Q20ZA offers improved performance, higher speeds, fewer injuries and less product damage. Each scanner, positioned on opposite corners of the AGV, combines to provide 360 degrees of vision and is linked to the vehicle's programmable logic controller (PLC) and wheel-drive encoder.
The safety scanners automatically change sensing ranges based on speed and steering angle. At higher vehicle speeds, the scanner looks out farther for obstructions, and slows the vehicle if an obstruction is detected in the warning zone. The vehicle continues at slow speed until the obstruction is removed or until it is detected by the vehicle's stop-zone command, which causes the vehicle to stop.
This new safety feature will be standard equipment on all QComp AGVs. "We are committed to providing the safest AGVs and robotic systems on the market, exceeding the industry norms," says Tom Doyle, president of QComp Technologies. "All of our vehicles, including our lowest- cost vehicle, will incorporate this technology."
QComp is a leading provider of ABB robotic palletizing systems tightly integrated with AGVs. QComp recently introduced the Lean Robotic Palletizing System, which incorporates a small footprint, skid-mounted robot with a flexible tool, and AGV for pallet transport. By adding an AGV to the palletizing process, manufacturers can eliminate the use of pallet conveyors, reduce labor costs, increase plant floor safety, and eliminate product and conveyor damage caused by human error.
QComp's headquarters are in Greenville, Wis., with sales and service offices in Wausau and Milwaukee, Wis.
