Modern Materials Handling - November 2012

assembly needs. The AGCs use a magnetic tape navigationtechnology and controls platforms.The result is an expandable, capable system that providessafety and efficiency with minimal disruption duringimplementation. The low-cost solution enabled the companyto keep its retail prices stable and margins higher.The company is now evaluating other areas in its operationwhere automated solutions might be deployed.AGVs keep productmovingaroundthe clockPackaging manufacturer’sflexible new fleet helpsrepetitive tasks becomeefficient and safe.Schur, a global manufacturer of packaging materials,machines and systems, wanted to improve theergonomic environment for workers in its Denmarkfacility by automating repetitive movements. Byinstalling an automatic guided vehicles (AGV) system,the company improved flexibility, efficiency,safety and productivity.At the end of the production line, finished corrugatedboxes are stacked on pallets. Full pallets arefirst moved to an automated strapping and wrappingmachine and then moved to the warehouse for storage.Empty pallets are moved from a pallet-stackingmachine and delivered to the palletizers. There arefour different types of pallets depending on the productand the export destination.Before the AGV installation, movement of the fullpallets to the strapping/wrapping machine and tothe warehouse was done using manual forklifts. Theprocess was repetitive and predictable—a great candidatefor automation. Shur installed four compactfork-over style AGVs (JBT Corp., jbtc.com).“The most important benefits of the new systemare its stability, accuracy and the smooth work flowit enables,” says Allan Laursen, production managerat Schurpack Denmark. The AGVs now moveraw materials from bulk storage to the productionmachines. One added operation was for the AGVsto move pallets to storage and place them into storagelanes thus avoiding the need for overnight forkliftoperators. The AGVs can also collect and storepallets post press, buffering them for secondaryoperations use.The system is easy to reconfigure and can be expandedby simply adding more vehicles. The predicableoperation, accurate navigation, smooth acceleration/deceleration, non-contact safety bumpers, and visualand audible warning signals gave workers confidencethat the AGVs would improve safety.“We involved a big group of people in the project,”says Laursen. “This gave them a sense of ownership,but also ensured that they were comfortablewith the system.”Because of this success, productivity at the facilityhas increased 12%. These AGVs will operate inthe printing department transporting full palletsfrom a pile turner conveyor to one of two presses.They will also transport empty pallet stacks fromconveyors to storage areas or the point of use. Mmmh.com Modern Materials Handling / N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 2 47