Automated handling
December 1st 2005

Hydro Aluminium Deutschland manufactures rolled aluminium sheets for the printing and other industries. The reconstruction of the production facilities led to a requirement for automated transportation of their aluminium reels, which are placed on special pallets from production to the packaging area. Because aluminium reels are handled continuously through three shifts, automated transportation from Solving was a natural choice.

The transport route, running between two separate buildings, is also used for intersecting traffic, such as lorries and forklift trucks. Because the thoroughfare couldn't be closed to these vehicles, an automated movement system was therefore the most suitable choice. The required capacity of maximum six reels per hour, each reel weighing maximum 15 tonnes, is also appropriate for a Solving AGV system.

Hydro Aluminium chose a fork-shaped Solving AGV Mover equipped with laser navigation and a rapid chargeable NiCd-battery suitable for continuous shift work. Laser navigation was considered appropriate to the current operating conditions; the Mover is driven indoors in two buildings and a short distance outdoors between the buildings.

The frame of the Mover is designed to suit the requirements of outdoor use, taking into account the weather conditions in Germany.

The safety devices are a combination of conventional technology, including safety buffers, and modern laser based technology.

The AGV Mover receives its transport orders via radio communication from a PC/Windows-based Solving AGV-control system communicating with the fixed conveyors at the pick up and delivery stations, and also with the automatic doors along the transport route. A graphic PC display and remote supervision allow for fault finding.

This solution is unusual because the AGV drives in the open and moves unpacked products from production to the packaging area. Fitted with automatic load protection, the AGV Mover and load are protected from outdoor conditions such as rain, snow, dust and dirt. The protection consists of a cover that is activated automatically by the Mover's control system, to be open when an aluminium coil is loaded and unloaded, and closed when driving outdoors.

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