Abstract
In this paper we examine some of the general principles and analysis methods that are used to design an automated material handling system. The paper focuses on one type of automated handling system that seems especially suitable for automation in discrete-product manufacturing. These types of automated handling systems are called automated guided vehicle systems. These systems are most applicable for the automation of low-and medium-volume handling situations, where the routeing of materials is more individualised. For guided vehicles, a new quantitative method for analysing these systems is developed in the paper. Examples are presented to demonstrate the method.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.
References
M. P. Groover,Automation, Production Systems, and Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1987.
P. G. Ranky,Computer Integrated Manufacturing, Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 1986.
T. Muller,Automated Guided Vehicles, IFS (Publications), Bedford, UK, and Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1983.
W. L. Maxwell and J. A. Muckstadt, “Design of automatic guided vehicle systems”,IIE Transactions,14(2), pp. 114–124, 1982.
P. J. Egbelu, “Integration of unit load selection in the design of AGV based automated manufacturing shop”, in A. Mital (ed.),Recent Developments in Production Research, pp. 816–823, Elsevier Science Publishers B. V., Amsterdam, 1988.
J. L. Riggs,Production Systems: Planning, Analysis, and Control, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1976.
R. Muther,Practical Plant Layout, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1955.
J. M. Moore,Plant Layout and Design, The Macmillan Company, New York, 1962.
E. S. Buffa, G. C. Armour and T. E. Vollmann, “Allocating facilities with CRAFT”,Harvard Business Review,42(2), pp. 136–158, March–April 1964.
R. Muther and K. Haganas,Systematic Handling Analysis, Management and Industrial Research Publications, Kansas City, MO, 1969.
K. R. Fitzgerald, “How to estimate the number of AGVs you need”,Modern Materials Handling, p. 79, October 1985.
G. A. Koff and B. Boldrin, “Automated guided vehicles”, in R. A. Kulwiec (ed.),Materials Handling Handbook, 2nd edn, pp. 273–314, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1985.
J. M. Apple,Plant Layout and Materials Handling, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1977.
J. A. Tompkins and J. A. White,Facilities Planning, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1984.
A. Kannewurf, “Automatic guided vehicle systems”, in J. A. Tompkins and J. D. Smith (eds.),The Warehouse Management Handbook, pp. 409–434, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1988.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ilić, O.R. Analysis of the number of automated guided vehicles required in flexible manufacturing systems. Int J Adv Manuf Technol 9, 382–389 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01748483
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01748483
Keywords
- Automated guided vehicle systems
- Automated materials handling
- Flexible manufacturing systems