Implementing an AGV System to Transport Finished Goods to the Warehouse

Article history: Received: 01 January, 2020 Accepted: 22 February, 2020 Online: 20 March, 2020 This work describes a case study carried out in an automotive company. The main objective was to increase the productivity of the last workstation of an assembly line by implementing an AGV System to transport finished goods to the warehouse. A comprehensive analysis of Value Added and Non-Value Added activities were performed to understand the current state of the workstation. By using the Spaghetti Diagram, the worker's movements were mapped and quantified. To eliminate motion and material transport and therefore increase productivity, an AGV system was implemented. To design this particular system, it was necessary to determine the required number of AGVs and their capacity, picking and delivery locations and the flow path. Activities such as transporting the containers and moving around to pick up the same containers were eliminated, thus contributing to a better ergonomics and an increase in safety. The Cycle Time was also reduced and therefore productivity was increased.

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