To upgrade the manufacturing industry and move towards Industry 4.0, intelligent logistics is indispensable. Intelligent logistics is a system that accompanies intelligent production, and digital intelligence is the core feature of intelligent logistics. Intelligent logistics can reduce factories' dependence on land and manpower, lower management costs, and improve logistics efficiency. AGV handling robot, as a discrete handling equipment in intelligent logistics, is a module of intelligent logistics integration, with the characteristics of digital intelligence and flexibility.
In a closed loop of intelligent logistics integration, factory logistics can be fully digitized, and digital management can be achieved through upper computer management systems such as ERP and MES to monitor logistics in real-time. For quality issues discovered after sales, digital tracking can be used to trace the source, identify the cause, and carry out rectification or recall.
The continuous data generated by AGV handling robots during the handling process can be adopted by the upper computer system, thus achieving a closed-loop digital management. This is the reason why AGV handling robots have become an indispensable part of intelligent logistics integration. Even for factories without intelligent logistics integration, the introduction of AGV handling robots can reduce dependence on manual labor, improve digital management level, reduce management costs, and benefit from the shared channel between people and vehicles brought about by AGV flexibility.
▶ Flexibility
In unmanned flat transportation, AGV, RGV, drum or belt conveyor are several of the most common modes. RGV, drum or belt conveyor will occupy space, which can cause inconvenience in workshops with tight space, such as hindering machine maintenance or necessary passage. AGV does not occupy space and can share the channel with human-machine mixing, which is the advantage of AGV flexibility. The advantage of AGV flexibility is that when it is necessary to change the usage location or extend the route, there is no need to go to great lengths, just reset the program.
▶ Reduce dependence on manpower
For enterprises, every employee is a cost. If the cost of labor is greater than the value created, it is necessary to consider reducing reliance on labor to lower costs, and replacing machines with humans is one way to reduce labor costs. Imagine a finished goods warehouse that requires 24-hour handling and requires two manual forklifts to complete. One person earns a monthly salary of 8000 yuan, and the annual salary of the two people is 192000 yuan, not including other labor management costs. The cost of manual management needs to be continuously paid by the enterprise, and the longer the period, the greater the cost. There is no need for manual management when using AGV handling robots. After a one-time investment, they can be used for a certain period of time, usually 2-3 years, to offset labor costs. The output of AGV robots in the future is the net profit of the enterprise. The problem faced by many companies now is that even if salaries are increased, it is difficult to recruit suitable employees.
▶ Reduce management costs
Management costs refer to the expenses incurred for organizing and managing production activities, such as materials, labor, and labor materials. The management expenses incurred for manufacturing products are not directly related to the output of the products and are not included in the manufacturing costs of the products. Instead, they are treated as expenses to rebuild the current income of the enterprise. In the logistics handling process, the organization and management of logistics personnel are indispensable. The expenses incurred in this process are actually the management costs generated around the handling. In general logistics operations, management costs often account for 90% of the management costs. After using AGV, this stealth cost can be significantly reduced.
▶ Safe production
It is very important to ensure the safety of workers and labor objects in logistics activities. Various accidents such as personal injury, cargo damage, and equipment damage that occur during activities are largely caused by human operation, especially dangerous goods that violate operating procedures and result in major accidents such as combustion and explosion. AGV robots can achieve 24-hour unmanned operation, precise operation, and avoid accidents.
Used under special working conditions
Many special working conditions are not suitable for human operation, and in this case, choosing unmanned operation is inevitable. AGV is the best choice.
1. Low temperature working condition
The temperature of the cold storage is smooth at -30-5 degrees, requiring frequent entry and exit of handling equipment. It is difficult for people to work in this environment for a long time, and AGVs need to be used instead of manual forklifts.
2. High pollution conditions
Some factory products are volatile, or have dust that is flammable and explosive, or have pollution that can cause harm to people. It is difficult to use manual forklifts to handle these working conditions, and AGV robots are the preferred choice.
3. High noise working conditions
Noise is also a form of pollution, and it is difficult for humans to work in environments exceeding 80 decibels for long periods of time, making AGV robots a suitable target.
4. High temperature working conditions
In aluminum casting workshops or high-temperature furnaces in the steel industry, there are hazards to personnel. As high-temperature furnaces require continuous operation and cannot be easily shut down, AGV robots are more suitable for working in this environment.
5. Dust free working condition
Some working conditions require dust-free and sterile conditions, which can make people a source of pollution. For example, in the electronics or pharmaceutical industries, absolute cleanliness needs to be ensured. This is also the reason why AGVs are widely used in these industries.
