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Implementation Issues of AGVs in Flexible Manufacturing System : A Review

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Abstract

The future success of a manufacturing endeavor is likely to be determined by the speed and efficiency with which it incorporates new technologies into its operations. The objectives of production planning have shifted from how fast parts can be made to how efficiently parts can be transported between stations and in and out of storage. The responsibility for efficient work flow falls on the material handling system. Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) systems have gained widespread use and their importance for material handling is expected to grow rapidly. The advantages that such systems can offer include easier interface with other automated systems such as flexible manufacturing system. This paper presents a review on implementation issues of automated guided vehicle systems in flexible manufacturing system context. These issues will be discussed under design, panning and control strategies that arise in AGV system. In addition, we propose a integrated framework for implementation of automated guided vehicles in flexible manufacturing system.

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Correspondence to Mohammed Ali.

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Mohammed Ali took his Mechanical Engineering and Master in Industrial Engineering degree from Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, U.P. Subsequently he did PhD from IIT-Delhi, in the domain of CIM systems under the supervision of Late Professor Subhash Wadhwa. At present he is Associate Professor in Department of Mechanical Engineering, A.M.U. Aligarh. He has taught many subjects ranging from Industrial Engineering, Industrial Management, Economy and Management, Manufacturing Engineering etc He has publications in journals and conferences. His interest includes Flexible Systems, Simulation, CIMS etc.

Wasif Ullah Khan took his Master of Technology in Mechanical with specialization in Industrial and Production Engineering from AMU Aligarh. He is pursuing Ph.D. in the area Flexible Manufacturing System from Department of Mechanical Engineering, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh. Presently he is working as Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering Section, University Polytechnic, AMU Aligarh.

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Ali, M., Khan, W.U. Implementation Issues of AGVs in Flexible Manufacturing System : A Review. Global J. Flexible Syst. Manage. 11, 55–61 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03396578

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