Alfa Romeo, part of the FIAT group, used to move cockpit through production islands, by an AGV system.

There are 4 AGVs that bring cockpits from an input conveyor, to a production island.

Once deposited at the island, the operator perform a series of tests to certify that the cockpit is working correctly.

Once the test is done, the PLC that controls it, set a signal to the AGV system that sends an AGV to pick the cockpit and bring it to the output conveyor.

AGV navigation type: inductive wire guidance

Traffic controller: 486 PC, in warm backup, with Digiboard multiserial ports, connected to all devices on the layout, DI/DO signals and infrared transreceivers to communicate with AGVs. A production batch control and handling has been developed as well.

Charging concept: charging stations with contacts on top of the AGV, when batteries are low, the vehicle is sent there to stay and charge, as well the AGV goes on charger when there are no transports to execute.

This AGV system is working over three shifts.

Number of AGVs: 4

AGV manufacturer: Digitron

Function: AGV traffic controller development

Year: 1992