BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

ETHIOPIAN INSTITUTE OF TEXTILE AND FASHION

TECHNOLOGY 

1st YEAR MASTER OF SCIENCE FASHION TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM 

CORSE NAME: COMPUTER INTEGRATED MANUFACTURING (FTEC6041)
INDIVIDUAL ASSIGNMENT
REVIEW ON: AUTOMATED GUIDED VEHICLE FOR MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM IN
GARMENT INDUSTRY
PREPARED FOR:
MULAT ALUBEL (PhD)
PREPARED BY:
TSION BELAY ABEBE
DATE OF SUBMISSION: 24/07/2014 

                               

BAHIR DAR, ETHIOPIA

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Abstract

Automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) play an essential role in both small and large-scale industries
in moving items from one location to another within factories. The materials to be handled have
become increasingly numerous in recent days, and as production and demand rise, it has a
significant impact on the transportation of materials in desperate need of a vehicle to distribute
and position them within the industry. AGVs are often wired at ground level, with signals being
transmitted through them to regulate them. The workload of humans has gradually decreased as a
result of the AGV's installation, while production efficiency has increased. As a result, in the
modern robotic world, to get the most out of these systems, they must be linked to a global
production system, which necessitates immediate modifications in the design and planning of the
floor store. In these review discuss about different types of AGV and it use for garment industry.
However, with today's rapidly changing production system and adaptable floor store, AGV
implementation has become critical and complex, since it is dependent on numerous systems,
including wires, frequency, total production, and so on. As a result, material handling systems or
load carriers that use AGVs can drive automatically across a warehouse, distribution center, or
manufacturing facility. The demand for an AGV has grown more technologically vital.

Keywords: - AGV, garment industry, material handling, vehicle

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Table of Contents
Automated guided vehicle for material handling system in garment industry................................1

1.1 Introduction................................................................................................................................1

2. Methodology...........................................................................................................................2

3. Literature review...............................................................................................................2

3.1. Material handling in garment industry..........................................................................2

3.2. Automated guided vehicle.............................................................................................2

3.3. Components...................................................................................................................3

3.3.1. Vehicle:..........................................................................................................................3

3.3.3. Floor Control and Traffic Management System.............................................................4

3.4. Types Automated Guided Vehicles...............................................................................5

3.4.1. Forklift AGV.............................................................................................................5

3.4.2. Load Transfer AGV...................................................................................................5

3.4.3. Clamp AGV...............................................................................................................5

3.4.4. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs).......................................................................5

3.4.5. Computerized hanger system.....................................................................................6

3.5. Applications of AGVs in garment industry...................................................................6

4. Conclusion........................................................................................................................7

5. Reference..........................................................................................................................8

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Automated guided vehicle for material handling system in garment industry

1.1 Introduction
Material handling is defined by MHIA (MATERIAL HANDLING INSTITUTE OF AMERICA)
as “The movement, storage, protection and control of material throughout the manufacturing and
distribution process including their consumption and disposal”. Effective material handling is the
most important part of manufacturing and distribution operations without it final product cannot
turn into profit. The handling of material must be performed safely, efficiently, and at a low cost
in a timely manner, accurately without damage to the material. The main factor attributing the
material handling cost is wasted time. The second major cost added to material handling is labor
cost. In addition, increasing labor and time compensation costs make material handling
alternatives more desirable(Das & Pasan, 2016; Vancea & Orha, 2019). Automated guided
vehicle systems (AGVS) have become a key component of today’s intralogistics. The
technological standard and the current level of experience with this automation technology have
led to AGVS being introduced in almost all branches of industry and areas of production(Ullrich,
2015).

The first known Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), was introduced by Barret Electronics of
Northbrook, Illinois, the USA in 1953; and since then, AGVs have been used extensively to
simplify intralogistics and material handling processes in industrial environments (Oyekanlu et
al., 2020). Also, in the past few decades, Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) have continued to
be widely integrated and used in industrial environments. AMRs are often taken to indicate
material handling vehicles that can autonomously navigate from place to place to accomplish
specific tasks. They are usually in form of robots’ arms and actuators that are built on top of
mobile platforms. The number of application areas and the variation of types has increased
significantly. AGVs can be used both indoors and outdoors, participating in tasks such as
production, distribution, and transshipment. AGVs are used to transport materials of all types
related to the manufacturing process(Vancea & Orha, 2019). The garment industry, as we all
know, is a labor-intensive industry from design to finishing and shipping. As a result, automated
guided vehicles are required for material handling in the cutting, sewing, and finishing sections
to carry raw materials and finished goods. It aids the garment industry in reducing costs,
maintaining material quality, increasing productivity, and improving customer satisfaction.

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2. Methodology
This paper review focus on nine published sources for the inclusion of particular terminology
and concepts, including research publications, journals, and different websites. From 2015 to
2022 G.C., the dates are listed. The search engines (websites) that were used to locate the
information were Google Scholar and Research Gate. The titles are about an automated guided
vehicle for a garment industry material handling system. For reference citations, the Harvard
style is employed.

3. Literature review
3.1. Material handling in garment industry
The means used for transporting work (like fabrics, cuttings, bundles, finished garments and
general items) from one place to another, storing materials and protecting material from damage,
are called material handling system. Or Material handling involves short-distance movement
within the confines of a building or between a building and a transportation vehicle. It uses a
wide range of manual, semi-automated, and automated equipment and includes consideration of
the protection, storage, and control of materials throughout their manufacturing, warehousing,
distribution, consumption, and disposal. Material handling can be used to create time and place
utility through the handling, storage, and control of waste, as distinct from manufacturing, which
creates form utility by changing the shape, form, and makeup of material(Das & Pasan, 2016; de
Oliveira Neto, Ferreira Correia, Pujol Tucci, da Silva, & Silva, 2021; Vancea & Orha, 2019).

3.2. Automated guided vehicle

AGV is a transport vehicle that is equipped with electromagnetic or optical automatic guiding
device. It has a variety of functions such as human-computer interaction, path planning, task
execution, positioning and navigation control, power management, autonomous obstacle
avoidance and safety information prompt(Li, Yan, & Li, 2018). The AGVs look like little cars
that can move controlled in a warehouse. Controlled travel is ensured by special software. With
the help of this software, AGVs know what to do, orient themselves in the warehouse and avoid
collisions both with each other and with other static objects (Vancea & Orha, 2019). An
automated guided vehicle is a programmable mobile vehicle. The automated guided vehicle is
used in industrial application to move material around a manufacturing facility. The AGV are

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capable of transportation task fully automated at low expanses. AGV have to make the system
automatic by doing the decision on the path selection(Ullrich, 2015).

3.3. Components of AGV system

A general AGV system essentially consists of vehicle peripheral on site component as well as
stationary control system. The flawless interaction of these components ensuring the efficiency
of the work installation. AGV will guarantee a safe performance, as well as the load and the
surroundings (Suparjon, 2022; Tejada, Toro-Ossaba, Muñoz Montoya, & Rúa, 2022; Ullrich,
2015; Vancea & Orha, 2019). The main components of AGV system are

3.3.1. Vehicle:
Whilst the vehicle can take many forms, every AGV includes the following components that are:
Traction Motor(s) to provide movement, Traction batteries to provide power. Battery technology
is developing quickly. Different battery types provide different cost/benefits and performance
cycles. Batteries may be Lead-Gel, wet NiCd, or one of the various forms of Lithium. E.g.
LiFePo4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate), is one of the newer battery types suitable for AGVs,
Industrial PC or on-board controller. This device receives instruction from the central control
processor, and manages the on-board systems of the AGV, Payload interface. This may be a
fork, platform, and conveyor, lift deck, and may be configured to engage with external devices
and systems.

The vehicle is the central element of the AGV because it fulfills the real transport task. robot for
automated storage and retrieval system .According to environment AGV can be divided into
following categories that are: Driver less train, Pallet truck and Unit load carrier

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3.3.2. Guidance Path System

The vehicle guidance system is the method by which AGV are defined and vehicles are
controlled to follow the path ways. AGV use the guidance path system chooses a path based on
programmed path. It uses the measurement taken from the sensor and compares them to value
given to them by programmer. When AGV approaches a decision point if only has to decide
whether follow the path. Most commonly used guidance technologies in AGV are: Landmarked
based navigation, Behaviors based navigation and Vision based navigation.

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3.3.3. Floor Control and Traffic Management System
To operate efficiently and increasing the productivity of AGV, the vehicle should be well
managed .Delivery task must be allocated to minimizing the waiting time at load/unload station.
The traffic control managed by AGV using un board vehicle sensing and zone control. For
efficient control two type of control system are used inside the workplace that are Stationary
control system and Peripheral control system.

3.4. Types Automated Guided Vehicles

The best way to categorize AGVs is by looking at the loads that they transport (Kaliappan,
Lokesh, Mahaneesh, & Siva, 2018; Li et al., 2018; Ullrich, 2015; Vancea & Orha, 2019). That
are:
3.4.1. Forklift AGV
The range of uses for this vehicle is large. It centers on the pallet or forklift-compatible
containers. The logistical tasks can be very straightforward (simple trips between two locations
without diverging) or also quite complex (taxi operations). The vehicles can be used

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independently (stand-alone) or, managed by an AGVS guidance control system, working in
cooperation with (several) other AGV.

3.4.2. Load Transfer AGV

They are applied in handling small, light parts over moderate distance and distribute the parts
between storage and number of work stations.
3.4.3. Clamp AGV
It is termed as pallet trucks, which is designed to work and transport cylindrical loads. Normally
such kind of AGVs can be used in Textile, and garment industries for loading and unloading of
material.
3.4.4. Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs)
Are typically more technologically advanced than other types of AGVs. While many AGVs use
fixed navigation systems, such as wires or magnetic tape, many AMRs are equipped with
intelligent navigation capabilities such as sensors and camera systems that enable them to detect
and navigate around obstacles. Thanks to more sophisticated technology, AMRs can dynamically
navigate a warehouse or other facility and plan the most efficient paths.

3.4.5. Computerized hanger system

Traditionally bundle cards were used in Progressive Bundle Unit (PBU) system to track
movement of bundles in the line and the integration of bar-codes in bundle tags facilitated
tracking of components and finished pieces in sewing line. Overhead Material Handling System
(OMHS) in Unit Production System (UPS) made significant progress in integrating bar code

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scanner or RFID scanner to monitor progress of each hanger meaning tracking of each piece
thereof.

3.5. Applications of AGVs in garment industry

Automated guided vehicle systems are used for tasks that would typically be handled by
forklifts, conveyor systems or manual carts, moving large volumes of material in a repetitive
manner AGVs are used in a variety of applications. They’re often used for transporting raw
materials such as fabric, trim and accessories, For example, AGVs can transport raw materials
from receiving to the warehouse or deliver materials directly to production lines. AGVs
consistently and reliably deliver raw materials needed without human intervention, ensuring that
production lines always have the materials they need without interruption. In addition to
transporting raw materials, AGVs are used in work-in-process applications and with finished
goods to support production or manufacturing lines. In work-in-process applications, AGVs
move materials or parts from the warehouse to production lines or from one workstation to
another, providing repetitive and efficient movement of materials throughout the manufacturing
process. The computer controlled system can link the AGVs with other Systems/Subsystems in
the facility. They are: Automatic Storage and Retrieval Systems, Computer Numerical
Controlled (CNC) Machines, Shop Floor Control System (d) Process Control Equipment and
Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS).

4. Conclusion
Pallets, fabric rolls, racks, carts, and containers can all be transported with an Automatic Guided
Vehicle in a number of applications. AGVs provide several advantages, including reduced
manpower, increased productivity, and elimination of product damage, improved material

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management, and speed of delivery, path flexibility, and lower labor costs. AGVs also have
several drawbacks, such as expensive installation costs, the fact that they are fragile and should
be handled with care, the need for frequent inspection and maintenance, the need to recharge
them on a regular basis, and the fact that they will cease delivering if they are forced off the path.
Despite these drawbacks, they are commonly utilized in manufacturing for material
transportation from one department to another, making garment manufacturing more efficient.

5. Reference
Das, S. K., & Pasan, M. (2016). Design and methodology of automated guided vehicle-a review.
IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), 29-35.

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de Oliveira Neto, G. C., Ferreira Correia, J. M., Pujol Tucci, H. N., da Silva, P. C., & Silva, D. d.
(2021). RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLEANER PRODUCTION PRACTICES AND
COMPANY SIZE IN THE BRAZILIAN TEXTILE INDUSTRY. Environmental
Engineering & Management Journal (EEMJ), 20(2).
Kaliappan, S., Lokesh, J., Mahaneesh, P., & Siva, M. (2018). Mechanical Design and Analysis of
AGV for Cost Reduction of Material Handling in Automobile Industries. Int. Res. J.
Automot. Technol, 1(1), 1-7.
Li, S., Yan, J., & Li, L. (2018). Automated guided vehicle: the direction of intelligent logistics.
Paper presented at the 2018 IEEE International Conference on Service Operations and
Logistics, and Informatics (SOLI).
Oyekanlu, E. A., Smith, A. C., Thomas, W. P., Mulroy, G., Hitesh, D., Ramsey, M., . . . Looper,
N. A. (2020). A review of recent advances in automated guided vehicle technologies:
Integration challenges and research areas for 5G-based smart manufacturing applications.
IEEE access, 8, 202312-202353.
Suparjon, S. (2022). Evaluation of Layout Design, Operation and Maintenance of Multi
Automated Systems Guided Vehicles (AGV): A Review. International Journal of
Mechanical Engineering Technologies and Applications, 3(1), 1-7.
Tejada, J. C., Toro-Ossaba, A., Muñoz Montoya, S., & Rúa, S. (2022). A Systems Engineering
Approach for the Design of an Omnidirectional Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV)
Testing Prototype. Journal of Robotics, 2022.
Ullrich, G. (2015). Automated guided vehicle systems. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. doi,
10, 978-973.
Vancea, A. P., & Orha, I. (2019). A survey in the design and control of automated guided vehicle
systems. Carpathian Journal of Electronic and Computer Engineering, 12(2), 41-49.