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Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated, self-driving ground vehicles

AGV layouts and paths

Automativ Guided Vehicles (AGV) automate internal material flows, from component replenishment to the removal of finished products. They consist of automated, self-driving vehicles with built-in controllers, electric drive and battery technology. They follow predetermined paths that are marked on the floor as lines, laid as magnetic or inductive strips, or they follow individual floor markers, often in the form of RFID tags.

In the WinMOD-SIMLINE system, ground paths are simulated using parameterisable path elements such as straight lines, curves and junctions from a 3D library. This means that the paths are always visible in the virtual 3D layout, even if they are not actually visible in reality. Ground markers, obstacle objects and sensor reflectors are also installed as 3D library elements. You can assign individual data to RFID tags. .

For virtual commissioning (VC), the plant control system is then connected to the WinMOD system via fieldbus coupling.

The 3D illustration demonstrates the concept of the smart factory and 5G for industry. Autonomous robot transports or Automativ Guided Vehicles (AGV) that move transport containers in automated warehouses are a use case for virtual commissioning or a digital twin with WinMOD.
An AGV transports a battery module in a smart factory, controlled digitally by a digital twin.

FTS Vehicle behaviour

The WinMOD-SIMLINE system uses CAD-based 3D vehicle models as highly individual, tailor-made customer solutions with individually configurable 3D vehicle sensors. They include all common types of underride and lift shuttles, pallet AGVs and fork AGVs.

Depending on requirements, the 3D vehicles move via magnetic or inductive strips, RFID tags or line layouts. To this end, 3D vehicle sensors are used to record and evaluate the respective path system in real time, as well as to simulate mutual vehicle recognition and obstacle detection.

The vehicles can be loaded and unloaded with any transport goods. Direct combination with other 3D technology simulations from the WinMOD-SIMLINE system, such as Robotics, is of course possible. This allows complex logistics processes such as fleet control, traffic management with prioritisation, zone regulations and track & trace functionalities to be comprehensively tested and validated. The integration of modern safety functions (e.g. scanners, emergency stops, optical signals) can also be tested and validated with these VC.

Further factory automation solutions

Icon for Container Conveying Systems for simulation and virtual commissioning in WinMod.

Container conveyor technology

Sorting and picking systems for small items such as cartons, plastic boxes or other piece goods. Transport is via classic roller conveyors, belt conveyors
as well as the typical cam roller conveyors found here,
Belt curves and accumulation roller conveyors.

Icon for Pallet Conveying Systems in the digital twin for virtual commissioning via WinMod.

Pallet conveyor technology

This area of technology encompasses conveyor systems that transport and sort pallets and mesh boxes. The conveyor elements are large roller and chain conveyors combined with lifting, rotating and shifting tables. Magazines for empty pallets are also typical here.

Icon for an automated high-bay warehouse for virtual commissioning using WinMod simulation.

Automated Warehouses

These systems are usually fully automated high-bay warehouses that are operated by storage and retrieval machines and controlled by distributed automation systems. Warehouse management systems generate the orders for storage and retrieval.

Pick-and-place robot icon for material flow simulation and virtual commissioning with WinMod.

Pick-and-place systems

Automated systems that pick up parts from A to B and place them down again with a defined orientation – typically for loading, sorting, picking or packing. Core systems are industrial robots (Delta, SCARA, 6 axes, Cartesian) or gantry axes.

Robotic arm icon for planning and simulating a virtual commissioning process using WinMod in the digital twin.

robotics

Robotics plays a central role in modern manufacturing by enabling the automation of production processes and increasing efficiency and precision. Robots are used in various areas, such as welding, assembly, painting or packaging products. 

Icon for production lines for analysis and virtual commissioning using WinMod.

production lines

Production lines combine processes, material flow and controls into a production system with guaranteed cycle times and quality. They consist of combinations of assembly, processing and testing stations. In addition, there is transfer technology, buffers and often a highly specialised automation system.

Icon for Electric Monorail Systems for process simulation and virtual commissioning using WinMod.

Electric overhead and floor tracks

Electric Monorail Systems are used as connecting conveyor technology over long distances. The overhead trolleys run fully automatically with integrated electric drives and controls and are usually routed via a central control system.

Power-and-Free conveyor system icon for process simulation in the digital twin for virtual commissioning using WinMod.

Power and Free (P&F)

This chain-driven overhead or floor conveyor technology is powered by continuously running power strands (chains). Transport trolleys are coupled in, transported, decoupled at stoppers and buffered via chain drivers („dogs“).

Icon for Automativ Guided Vehicles for simulation in the digital twin via WinMod.

Automated Guided Vehicles

Automated self-driving vehicles as a connecting material flow solution. Driving is either completely trackless via defined tracks or markers (AGV) or via free navigation with automatic dynamic obstacle avoidance (AMR).

Icon for the maintenance and servicing of machines for virtual commissioning with WinMod.

Mechanical engineering

Engineering discipline for the development, manufacture and maintenance of machines, plants and production systems. Typical applications include machine tools, handling technology, automotive/aerospace, packaging and assembly plants.