Fixed path: AGVs keep product moving around the clock

Schur, a global manufacturer of packaging materials, machines and systems, wanted to improve the ergonomic environment for workers in its Denmark facility by automating repetitive movements. By installing an automatic guided vehicles (AGV) system, the company improved flexibility, efficiency, safety and productivity.

Before the AGV installation, movement of the full pallets to the strapping/wrapping machine and to the warehouse was done using manual forklifts. The process was repetitive and predictable—a great candidate for automation, so the company installed four compact fork-over style AGVs.

At the end of the production line, finished corrugated boxes are stacked on pallets. Full pallets are first moved by AGV to an automated strapping and wrapping machine and then moved to the warehouse for storage. Empty pallets are moved from a pallet-stacking machine and delivered to the palletizers.
“The most important benefits of the new system are its stability, accuracy and the smooth workflow it enables,” says Allan Laursen, production manager at Schurpack Denmark.

The AGVs also move raw materials from bulk storage to the production machines. One added operation was for the AGVs to move pallets to storage and place them into storage lanes, thus avoiding the need for overnight forklift operators.

The system is easy to reconfigure and can be expanded by simply adding more vehicles. The predicable operation, accurate navigation, smooth acceleration/deceleration, non-contact safety bumpers, and visual and audible warning signals gave workers confidence that the AGVs would improve safety.

“We involved a big group of people in the project,” says Laursen. “This gave them a sense of ownership, but also ensured they were comfortable with the system.”

Because of this success, productivity at the facility has increased 12%.

JBT Corporation
215-822-4600
http://www.jbtc-agv.com