Aerospace Assembly Systems - Tuggers - Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) for Composite Tooling Cart Transport
Fori recently supplied (2) automated Tugger AGVs for Aeros
pace composite tooling cart transport.
The Fori Tugger AGVs were supplied to transport a variety of composite tooling parts with total transfer weight up to 30,000 lbs. The Tugger AGV system included auto docking to the product carts. The purpose of the auto docking is to eliminate the need for operator intervention to couple to the carts and transfer them through the assembly plant.
The Fori Tugger AGV is utilized in two configurations, first as a Tugger pulling tooling carts in a single direction. The Tugger AGV is also used as a Dock N’ Lock. In the Dock N’ Lock configuration, the AGV automatically connects to the tooling cart and pulls it against the bumpers (shown in bottom picture). The attac
hment allows the tooling cart to rotate with the Tugger AGV and back it into work stations as required by the process.
The Tugger AGVs were commissioned to ensure safe and reliable product transfer. Previously, this transfer was completed with fork lifts or manned tow vehicles. The AGVs eliminated non-value added material handling and provided a hands off system for transporting product through the assembly process.
ean reduced ability to provide repeatable operator output. In an industry with constant pressure to boost efficiency and improve quality, automation becomes the solution most look for.
The suspension module assembly consisted of a heavily automated system. The equipment included a rear suspension module line, front suspension module line, front and rear combo module line and a front coil over shock assembly (FCOS).
spension assembly line consisted of (16) RGCs, a semi-automatic ride height and trending set machine that positioned the links within a slot. The equipment could be adjusted based on the tolerances provided by the OEM.
The rear suspension assembly line consisted of (37) RGCs, (2) automatic alignment systems, ride height set automatic torque cell and a robotic flip station.
The new RGC assembly line was installed during the first quarter of 2019.