INDUSTRY FOCUS Automotive Supply Chain y


productivity. Of the common


Fig. 3. Comparison of actuation options based on cost and digital capability.


actuator options, electromechanical actuators require the least operating space to handle a given load, compared to belt, hydraulic or gear-driven options. And among electromechanical options, those with single flange mounting require the least operating space. Thomson Industries,


Fig. 4. Comparison of actuation options based on operating space requirements.


screws have more digital integration capability, but because they also require an additional motor and controller, it can cost as much if not more than a smart electromechanical actuator. Hollow-screw actuators have comparable digital integration capability and technologies, but their high cost is difficult to justify except for high- speed, high-volume warehousing and distribution applications, such as e-commerce packaging and shipping.


The benefits of compactness


Optimising floor space has bottom-line benefits for all plants, whether you’re comparing the cost of adding buildings or just getting maximum return on existing floor space. Because AGVs can be configured quickly and easily, they are more space- efficient than conveyor belts, which are typically immobile. But AGVs themselves require operating room in the space they need to travel around the plant floor and in their ability to fit in tighter spaces. The use of smaller actuators is one way to


make operations more space-efficient, but the amount of space required to mount them remains an issue. Typical electromechanical actuators have load adapters in both the front and the rear. Replacing the traditional rear adapter with a mounting flange reduces the overall length and stroke length ratio, returning space to the system designer. A more compact design makes the AGV


easier to deploy in compact spaces, while also reducing energy consumption. The latter is especially important if the AGV design calls for more expensive lithium-ion batteries. Lower energy consumption also means longer work terms and lower charging frequency, which also contribute to overall


automationmagazine.co.uk


for example, offers a rear mounting flange option that reduces the overall length vs. stroke length ratio for its Electrak® HD actuator. The more compact design makes it easier to fit into tight spaces and


is ideal when designing different types of automation equipment, AGVs and lifting devices – all while maintaining the digital capabilities mentioned earlier. With the ability to fit into tight spaces, the Thomson Electrak HD is ideal for AGV space efficiency, with rear mounting flange options reducing the overall length vs. stroke length ratio.


Fiberglass production: In the production of glass fibre, where silica is drawn into thin filaments that are bonded together, AGVs might integrate with CNC machine tools, intelligent industrial robots and production lines. They would automatically transfer the raw silica cake from drawing to drying to cutting and then onto packaging, stacking and storing. The workflow is tightly orchestrated end to end, and the programmability of electromechanical actuators enables fiberglass producers to optimise efficiency.


Automotive manufacturing: In automotive manufacturing, AGVs replace manual efforts, forklifts and other methods traditionally used to deliver doors, hoods, hinges, bolts and other components to appropriate locations. The high load handling capability of electromechanical actuators is especially valuable in automotive manufacturing.


Electronics manufacturing: Lack of immediate availability of wafers, fixtures or other components is among the most frequent causes of interruption of electronics production line scheduling, and even slight delays can be costly. By helping ensure that the right components are in the right place and the right time, smart, compact AGVs, aided by programmable actuators, enable high process efficiencies for electronics production.


Applications


Wherever goods and parts need to be moved across a level surface, there is a potential role for smart, compact AGVs. Following are examples of industries in which AGVs are commonly used:


Consumer Goods:AGVs are found in numerous consumer goods industries, including electronics, medicine, chemical, cigarette, textiles and home appliances. They trolley everything from parts for fine work and packaging to heavy palletised objects. In air conditioner manufacturing, for example, this might involve transporting mounting plates, rear nets, covers, panels, motors, air outlets, face frames, covers and capacitors to and from appropriate workstations. In addition to the space efficiencies that electromechanical actuators bring to these applications for large, heavy items such as refrigerators, the onboard intelligence provides the ability to synchronise movement across the load.


Electronics system testing: Electromagnetics of electronic systems such as control panels must be tested in an environment that would not add electrical discharge. AGVs equipped with actuators can be programmed to push sequences of buttons at consistent rates and be moved from test bays to conduct tests without interfering. This requires actuators that have been thoroughly tested for low electromagnetic radiation during electronic actions such as inductive load switching, positive inductance transience, positive and negative coupling, cranking, load dumping, electromagnetic immunity, conducted emissions, and radiated emissions.


Most analysts are predicting sustained


growth in AGV usage as global competitiveness continues to heighten. Rising labor costs are a key driver for AGV user growth, but the need to maximise return on all assets is paramount as well. Those assets include the AGVs themselves and the space through which they move. Specifying smart, safe electromechanical actuators that demand minimal space is one significant step that designers can take to optimise today’s AGVs for tomorrow’s applications.


CONTACT:


Thomson Industries Web: www.thomsonlinear.com


Automation | June 2020


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