Looking for a speedy, accurate, and safe way to move loads from one end of the warehouse to the other? A fleet of laser guided vehicles, or LGVs, might be the solution you’re looking for. LGVs are computer-controlled load carriers that move along set paths without the need for an onboard operator or driver to man them. But how do they work, exactly, and what are the benefits of using them over manual labor and other load carriers? Here are the basics of laser guided vehicles.
How LGVs Work
LGVs are a kind of AGV (automatic-guided vehicle) that use floor-mounted reflective tape and laser sensors (as opposed to markers, wires, and magnet crumb trails) to triangulate position and navigate the warehouse. They can handle a wide range of tasks around the facility, including assembly, transportation, warehousing, order-picking, transferring, and more.
Worried that the pathing will take up too much space in your already-packed warehouse? The pathing used for other types of AGVs can take up a decent amount of space, but the tape used to create paths for LGVs is nonobstructive, meaning it won’t take up space and can be easily changed around whenever necessary.
Afraid an LGV will be cumbersome or confusing to control? LGVs are monitored and controlled through a computer. The computer uses radio frequency to communicate with the LGV and provide it with commands (start, stop, change speed, lift, lower, turn, reverse, et cetera). This might sound complicated, but it really isn’t. Once the initial setup is complete, LGVs more or less control themselves.
The Benefits of LGVs
Now that you understand the basics of laser-guided vehicles, you’re probably wondering what advantages they have over traditional moving methods. The answer is a lot. LGVs are flexible, scalable, reliable, and safe. Here are the benefits of LGVs:
Damage Prevention
LGVs are stable, and they handle products with care. Compared to manual moving, the likelihood of a product being bumped, dropped, or otherwise damaged is much lower. LGVs are also designed with numerous safety features, including collision avoidance. This means that when an LGV encounters an obstruction (a human, machine, or other object), it will stop or reroute instead of ramming into the obstruction full-force. This keeps human injuries and product damage to a minimum.
Flexibility
Changing the paths of LGVs is surprisingly easy. This allows you to remove, add, or rearrange paths accordingly as the needs of your warehouse evolve or change.
Scalability
Have a smaller warehouse? You can have fewer paths and fewer LGVs. Have a massive warehouse? You can set up long, complex routes and have an entire arsenal of LGVs at your disposal.
Reliability
LGVs consistently produce the same amount and quality of work, which is something you can’t always say of human workers.
Low Operation and Maintenance Costs
Most LGVs are battery powered. Luckily, you don’t have to charge these batteries manually—they automatically charge themselves. And even though LGVs are fast moving, their acceleration and deceleration is controlled. This translates into less wear on components and, consequently, less maintenance.
Looking for an automated guided vehicle system for your warehouse? Robopac USA carries top-of-the-line secondary packaging machinery, from stretch wrappers to LGVs. Our machines also come equipped with the latest CUBE and R-Connect Technology to increase the efficiency of your warehouse even further. Come and shop with us today!
