Automated Storage /

Retrieval Systems
FMS
Material handling system : 30-80 % time
• An integrated system involving handling, storing, and controlling materials.
• Principles to be considered for design:

- Part Orientation - Simplification

- Planning - Gravity
- Safety
- Systems - Computerization
- Unit load - Systems flow
- Space utilization - Layout
- cost
- Ergonomic - Maintenance
- Energy - Obsolescence
- Ecology
- Mechanization
- Flexibility
Material handling systems
Components of an AGV
Types of AGVs
Heavy duty AGV
• Towing vehicles: tractor type mainly used
for bulk movement of materials into and
Out of warehouses.

• Unit load transporters: equipped with

decks for unit load and unloading of materials.
Used in warehouses to store and retrieve
martials.
• pallet truck: lift, and transport
palletized loads.

• Fork lift trucks: pick up and lift loads

to different heights.
• Light load vehicles: carry light
loads in short distances

• Assembly line vehicles: carries

sub-assemblies for the serial
assembly process.
AGV use subsystems:
• Guidance system
• Routing
• AGV control system
• Load transfer system
• Interfacing systems
AGV steering control
• Differential speed control

• Steered wheel control

AGV guidance systems
• Wire guided
• Optical guidance
• Inertial guidance system
• Infrared guidance
• Laser guidance
• Teaching type guidance
AGV routing methods

- (a) normal path layout

- (b) Frequency select method

- (c) Path switch select method

AGV control system
Number of AGVs required?
Advantages of AGVs required
• Flexibility

• Higher reliability

• Higher operating savings

• Continuous motion

• Easy interfacing
Interfacing of AGVs
• PLC based interfacing
Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems
• AS/RS : A combination of equipment's and controls which
handles, stores, and retrieves materials with precision and
accuracy under a defined degree of automation.

• AS/RS consisting of :
- A series of storage aisles
- Storage and retrieval machines
- Pick up and storage stations.
AS/RS
- Row
- Aisle
- Storage racks
- Storage structure
- Storage/retrieval machine
- Storage module
- Pickup and deposit
Advantages of AS/RS
- AS/RS is highly space efficient.
- Increase storage capacity
- Improved inventory
- Quick response
- Reduced labour cost
- Reduced inventory
- Flexibility
- Flexibility in interfacing
- Reduced scrap
- Just in Time: every part at the right time.
Different types
• Unit load
• Mini load
• Person on board
• Deep lane
• Automated item retrieval system
Manufacturing
FMS
Material Handling equipment
Tool holder
FMS Layout