MODEX lookout: the value of autonomous handoffs between systems
Summary
For a recent “Productivity Solutions” case study article in Modern’s March issue, I highlighted the use of automated guided vehicles (AGV) lift trucks at the TRUMPF “Smart Factory” facility in suburban Chicago. The factory uses the AGV lift trucks to autonomously transport metal parts and other work-in-process materials between work cells that are using TRUMPF’s latest laser cutting and smart production machinery. The interesting thing about that case, to me, is that the production machinery operator at the TRUMPF Smart Factory does not have to log onto an AGV fleet manager to trigger a material move, or even scan a bar code. That’s already happening, because AMR vendors have fleet software that can inform other systems when a tote full of materials or picked orders has arrived at a destination. Another interesting tech trend to watch for is vision and camera technology that crunches the imagery with artificial intelligence (AI) software.
