The main factors in the selection are flexibility, throughput performance, scalability, resilience, and cost efficiency.” “When it comes to automating an existing warehouse, there is no clear favorite," comments Mark, "It depends on the requirements for the target state and how automation is to be implemented during ongoing operations. Any changes to a conveyor system involve much more effort."ĭo the pros and cons of AGV and conveyor systems change if warehouse managers are looking to upgrade existing 'brownfield' facilities? The experts don't think so, however AGV solutions are better able to adapt to spaces where there is other machinery already in place. AGVs are much more flexible and usually quicker and easier to implement, and depending on the size of the system, also cheaper. Krebs summarizes this need for flexibility, explaining: "The trend is moving more and more towards automation and flexibility. This sentiment is shared by Tim Mark, Sales Engineer at Creform Technik,, who adds, "In production environments, the AGV is favored, since it can be integrated into the environment and flexibly adapted due to a low construction effort." "Compact and flexible AGVs are perfectly suited for manned spaces," adds Buylinckx. AGVs can also integrate well into shared spaces., whereas conveyors largely cut areas off, taking over a space and blocking traffic flows.
At the simplest level, a straightforward software change is all that is needed to adapt or add vehicle routes In line with shifting requirements. All our customers receive training on how to create or change pallet positions themselves, providing them with real flexibility.”Ī flexible vehicle solution can be easily modified, for example, to change as a site or operation evolves. With Nipper AGVs our customers have the highest degree of flexibility. Niels Buylinckx, Business Development Manager at F3-Design, says, “Production processes in general change. It was simply not feasible for an AGV to handle this.”ĪGVs come into their own when greater flexibility is required or when a site needs to remain open and accessible to people and other traffic. For example, at one airport site, our customer needed to move approximately 200 pallets every hour, which needed to be picked up immediately. "However, the quantity to be conveyed will determine whether an AGV will offer a viable solution. “One of the main factors in choosing an AGV or conveyor is whether the customer wants to block the space with a conveyor or have the flexibility of an AGV," says Bernd Krebs, AGV Product Manager at Stöcklin Logistik.
AGVs, on the other hand, offer much greater flexibility and can be more easily adapted to changing manufacturing requirements. So, if materials need to be transported to and from fixed locations in high volumes, a conveyor is an ideal solution. Key questions to consider include: What throughput of material is required? What is the project site layout? Do other machines and people need to operate in the area? And what level of overall flexibility is required?Ī fixed conveyor offers a much greater capacity to move individual goods quickly. The choice between an AGV and a conveyor system depends on multiple factors.