Quantitative Analysis of AGV System in FMS Cell Layout

Abstract

Material handling is a specialised activity for a modern manufacturing concern. Automated Guidedvehicles (AGVs) are invariably used for material handling in flexible manufacturing~ systems (FMSs) due to their flexibility. The quantitative analysis of an AGV &ysterri is useful for determining the material flow rates, operation times, length of delivery , length of empty move of AG~ and the numbe~ of AGVs ~quired for a typical FMS cell layout. The efficiency of the material handling &ystem, such\ as AGV can be improved by reducing the length of empty move. The length lof empty move of AGV depends upon despatching and scheduling methods. If these methods of AGV~ are not properly planned, the length of empty move of AGV is greater than the length of delivery .This results in increase in material handling time, which in turn increases the number of AGVs required in FMS cell. This paper presents a method for optimizing the length of empty travel of AGV in a typical FM, S. cell layout.