Which system is best suited for automated production supply? Automated forklifts and warehouse vehicles, under-cable trucks , or perhaps tugger trains? A webinar on "Driverless Transport Systems (AGVs)" provided answers using practical examples.

The experts from Still, a forklift and intralogistics systems provider – who had just been working with IFOY the previous week – wanted to clarify the most important question right from the start: "The perfect all-rounder," they said, "doesn't exist in this field either." Every system has , depending on the application .

The fact is that automation significantly increases . Noë van Bergen, Head of Automated Solutions, Florian Kratzer, International Key Account Manager Automated Solutions and expert for undercarriage equipment , and Herbert Fischer, Head of the tractor and tugger train segment , all agreed on this point during the event. However, they emphasized the importance of finding the optimal solution with the right balance of time, money, energy, and labor. This optimal solution depends on numerous factors, such as the choice of load carriers, the type of storage, the method of material transfer, and the available space.

Pictures: Still

Compared to undercarriage vehicles and tugger trains, automated forklifts and warehouse equipment demonstrate their strengths, according to Noë van Bergen, particularly when existing manual processes are automated without significant modifications. These devices are ideally suited to working with existing infrastructure, such as racking or floor storage areas. "Forklift and warehouse solutions offer advantages not only horizontally but also vertically," argues the expert. Load compatibility is another key factor. The forklift and warehouse technology-based solution is capable of transporting a wide variety of load carriers, such as pallets or wire mesh containers, even from great heights within the warehouse to different transfer points in production. Furthermore, these automated vehicles are also cost-effective. Van Bergen explains: "Forklift and warehouse technology-based applications offer a truly excellent return on investment (ROI) in production supply. We typically see a return on investment of less than three years."

Underride vehicles

Florian Kratzer championed the undercarriage vehicles, which – unlike automated forklift and warehouse technology solutions – were designed from the outset as automated guided vehicles (AGVs). "The vehicles are so small that they fit under the load carriers and, thanks to the integrated lifting mechanism, can handle loads of up to 1.5 tons. With excellent maneuverability, they can easily reach almost any position in production," emphasized the expert, who particularly praised the very high flexibility of this automation solution: "In terms of product transfer, they offer the best accessibility in our system comparison. They can even penetrate deep into production areas – right up to the production worker on the assembly line."

The reasons for this lie in the very small footprint of the undercarriage vehicles, as their dimensions are limited to the size of the load carrier. Kratzer: "With them, we can easily carry out just-in-time deliveries. Furthermore, the prerequisite is in place to enable automated, dynamic route optimization. And all this at very low cost. Because with the deck-loading vehicle, we are definitely significantly below the costs of a forklift and even below those of a tugger train."

Route train systems

For Herbert Fischer, the tugger train is the ideal solution for automating production logistics. "If the system is planned correctly, the tugger train can combine the delivery and disposal of load carriers at each station in a single step. Specifically, this means that three tugger train systems can handle roughly the same amount of material, whereas the other two systems would require up to 15 vehicles, generating significant traffic in all directions. This consolidated transport offers clear advantages," Fischer explained. He also acknowledged, however, that high investments are necessary, especially at the beginning and in the case of full automation. Fischer added, "But due to the small number of units required, this investment remains manageable."

So what would be the best solution? While forklifts clearly score points in terms of the infrastructure of transfer points and the required buffer space for pallets, undercarriage vehicles come out on top when it comes to space requirements. They can maneuver deep into the production area and thus reach exactly where the goods are needed. Bundled tugger train systems, on the other hand, demonstrate their strengths particularly in improving lean production processes, for example, in sequencing. "We see that the choice of automation in production logistics depends very much on its application. At Still , after a detailed consultation, we decide together with our customers which solution is best for the specific application. Ultimately, we don't sell individual products, but rather suitable solutions for the respective requirements," summarized Noë van Bergen.

Jacqueline Poppe

www.still.de