Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 1.9
Use of AGVs in distribution and manufacturing activities (Source: Courtesy of Gould Communi-
cations)
devices are to store and retrieve materials as well as transport them between the
pick/deposit (P/D) stations and the storage locations of the materials. An AS/RS
is shown in Figure 1.13.
AS/RSs are capital-intensive systems. However, they offer a number of advan-
tages, such as low labor and energy costs, high land or space utilization, high
reliability and accuracy, and high throughput rates.
3.8
Autonomous Vehicle Storage and Retrieval System
Autonomous vehicle storage and retrieval systems (AVS/RS) represent a rela-
tively new technology for automated unit load storage systems. In this system, the
autonomous vehicles function as storage/retrieval (S/R) devices. Within the stor-
age rack, the key distinction of AVS/R systems relative to traditional crane-based
automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS) is the movement patterns of the
S/R device. In AS/RS, aisle-captive storage cranes can move in the horizontal and
vertical dimensions, simultaneously to store or retrieve unit loads. In an AVS/RS,
vehicles use a fixed number of lifts for vertical movement and follow rectilinear
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