Fori Automation recently provided (2) High Capacity AGVs for the assembly of rockets for a large aerospace OEM.
The High Capacity AGVs can lift and transport up to 330,000 lbs. when used as a pair. Each AGV is capable of 165,000 lbs. when used in a single tool configuration. The system is designed to carry several different tools with varying lengths, widths, and total weights. The AGV system utilizes an optical coupler to communicate between the AGVs to coordinate motion and safety.
Each AGV includes (4) servo lift arbors, (6) suspended drive wheel assemblies and (8) suspended caster assemblies. The AGV chassis was custom designed to accommodate all of the different use cases. Each system included (3) different guidance methods for the various use cases within the plant. Currently, the system utilizes semi-automated control, with the ability to be upgraded to fully automated in the future.
The system can repeatedly locate within +/- 1.5mm at pick and drop stations. While driving the vehicle must maintain +/- 10 mm at slower speed. Improved accuracy and repeatability are accomplished through the use of Siemens servo motors and drives. The system is based on a high voltage DC Architecture, with a DC-DC converter to run the high voltage servo motors and drives.
The AGV solution reduced reliance on overhead cranes and other manual material handling methods for moving tooling and product through the plant. The AGVs will improve production flow and improve safety and repeatability for the assembly processes moving forward.
Fori Automation recently provided a turn-key automated assembly line for the build of utility trailers for a customer. Fori provided (4) duplicate assembly lines to support their facilities in GA, VA, TX & IA.
The utility trailer assembly line included a variety of improvements over the customer's traditional assembly lines, including overhead lift assists, automated transfer utilizing rail guided carts (RGCs) and DC electric tools for fastening and traceability. Fori was responsible for supplying (4) systems, each system comprised of (6) RGCs, (5) overheads with custom lift assists and (11) DC Electric Tools.
The customer wanted to ensure a flexible assembly system that can be leveraged across all their plants. The RGCs provided were able to be used at their four facilities by modifying the track layout based on floor space, building columns and ceiling heights.
Tooling pallets were designed with quick change features to accommodate (16) trailer variations ranging from 4’ x 5’ up to 6’ x 12’. To lift the various components such as frames, axles, gates and tongues, custom overheads with lift assists were provided to improve ergonomics for the operator.
Another design consideration was traceability for fastening, this was completed with the implementation of DC electric tools and ToolsNet from Atlas Copco. With the integration of barcode scanners, the trailers fastener torque data is saved on a database linked to the trailer serial number.
The lines were installed during the first quarters of 2021.
