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The flexible automatic transportation and manual assembly jobs for large aircraft components demand an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system with heavy-duty capacity and omnidirectional movability. This paper aims to propose a four driving-steering wheels-four supporting-steering wheels (4DSW-4SSW) layout plan to enhance the controllability and moving stability of AGV.

The anti-vibration structure of DS wheels and high-torque steering mechanism of SS wheels with tapered rolling bearings are rigorously designed to meet the functional requirements. Based on the specific wheel layout and vehicle dynamics, the rotational kinematic model as well as the straight and rotational dynamic models of AGV are established by the authors. To well verify the motion characteristics of wheels under heavy load in three motion states including straight motion, self-rotation and rotation around a certain point, the simulations in ADAMS and factory experiments have all been conducted.

Simulation results indicate that normal and friction forces of DS wheels and SS wheels are very stable except for some small oscillations, which are caused by non-center load distribution on AGV. Experimental results on driving speed of AGV have directly demonstrated that its positioning accuracy is enough for use in real aircraft assembly lines.

The designed AGV system has been applied to the final assembly line of a certain aircraft in Aviation Industry Corporation of China, Ltd, whose assembly efficiency and flexibility have been significantly improved.

A new layout plan of wheels for an omnidirectional heavy-duty AGV is proposed, which enhances the operating and moving capacity of AGV. A function of human-machine collaboration is also offered by the AGV for transporting large workpieces intelligently and economically in aerospace and other heavy industries.

Magnet spot is the primary method to develop the automated guided vehicle (AGV) guidance system for many automated container terminals (ACT). Aiming to improve the high flexibility of AGV operation in ACT, this paper aims to address the problem of technical stability leading to ACT production paralysis and propose a mini-terminal AGV robot for testing laser simultaneous location and mapping (SLAM)-based methods in ACT operation scenarios.

This study developed a physical simulation robot for terminal AGV operations, providing a platform to test technical solutions for applying laser navigation-related technologies in ACTs. Then, the terminal-AGV navigation system framework is designed to apply the laser-SLAM-based method in the physical simulation robot. Finally, the experiment is conducted in the terminal operation scenario to verify the feasibility of the proposed framework for lased-SLAM-based method testing and analyze the performance of the different mini-terminal AGV robots.

A series of experiments are conducted to analyze the performance of the proposed mini-terminal AGV robot for laser-SLAM-based method testing. The experimental results show the validity and effectiveness of the AGV robot and AGV navigation system framework with better local map matching, loopback and absolute positional error.

The proposed mini-terminal AGV robot and AGV navigation system framework can provide a platform for innovative laser-SLAM-based method testing in ACTs applications. Therefore, this study can effectively meet the high requirements of ACT for maturity and stability of the laser navigation technical.

The purpose of this paper is to propose the situation that the existing parking automated guided vehicle (AGV) has a single walking mode, a spin forward motion mode based on a dual steering wheel driven parking AGV. In this way, the AGV can complete the 180° spin of the AGV in the process of straight forward.

A spin forward kinematics model of the dual steering wheel AGV is established, and a motion controller of the dual steering wheel AGV is designed based on the principle of model predictive control to complete the path following the spin forward motion mode.

Computer simulations and laboratory tests were performed on this movement mode, which showed that the operation mode was feasible. It also verified that the mode can improve the handling efficiency, and also solved the problem that the parking space beside the wall could not be set and the site utilization was improved.

The controller should be further improved to make the operation smoother and more accurate.

This mode has the applicability to the indoor logistics AGVs. In addition, it can improve the handling efficiency and also solved the problem that the storage space for goods beside the wall could not be set and the site utilization was improved.

This method can solve the problem due to the increasing number of private cars and parking spaces are hard to find. It increases the number of parking spaces and improves the utilization rate of the site. In addition, it also saves people the time to find a parking space and reduces car exhaust emissions in the process. It follows the requirements of sustainable development.

The studies in this paper provide AGV with more ideas on the issue of improving handling efficiency and site utilization and also solves the problem of being unable to set parking spaces when parking against the wall. In addition, this model has applicability to indoor logistics AGV and plays the same role.

This paper aims to illustrate the growing role of robots in the electronics industries.

Following a short introduction, this paper discusses robotic applications and products in three sectors of the electronics industry: semiconductor processing, printed circuit manufacture and electronic product assembly. Finally, conclusions are drawn.

The major application in semiconductor manufacture is the handling of silicon wafers during both front- and back-end processes and products include cleanroom certified multi-axis robotic arms, some mounted on mobile platforms, and automated guided vehicles. Applications in printed circuit board production include component handling and insertion, soldering, inspection, testing and packing. These exploit Cartesian, SCARA and six-axis articulated robots and cobots play an important role where automated and manual processes operate in close proximity. Electronic product assembly applications include part handling, soldering, bonding and sealing, screw driving, test and inspection and packaging. Cobots offer the benefits of a small footprint which allows deployment in the often limited space and use in proximity to humans. As yet, robotic assembly of complex electronic products such as smartphones and computers has not been realised for technical reasons.

This study provides a detailed review of robotic products and applications in three key sectors of the electronics industries.

The purpose of this study is to examine both the technical feasibility and the commercial viability of several demand-side integration (DSI) programs to utilize the charging flexibility of electric transport vehicles in a logistic facility. DSI is important for improving system reliability and assisting in integrating renewables into the energy system.

A pre-assessment of several DSI programs is performed by considering effort for implementation, costs and economic potential. Afterward, the most promising programs are compared economically on the basis of optimization methods and economic analysis. The analysis is based on a comprehensive electric mobility project dealing with electric transport vehicles operating in container terminals.

The pre-assessment of several potential DSI programs revealed that many of these programs are unsuitable, largely due to regulatory requirements. Although using DSI to optimize the company’s load is feasible, controlled charging based on variable prices is particularly advantageous because the implementation requires modest effort while identifying significant cost-saving potentials.

Based on the analysis, other companies using electric transport vehicles have a foundation for identifying the most promising demand-side management program.

While most research has focused on individually used electric vehicles, here commercial electric transport vehicles operating in closed systems were investigated as this area of application was found to be particularly suitable for participation in DSI programs.

Many advanced technologies applied to maintenance are aimed at data analysis and not directly at the execution of activities. Considering the lack of studies that analyze the use of technologies with a focus on aiding maintenance activities, this study aims to investigate the applicability of advanced technologies capable of mitigating ergonomic risks in mining maintenance activities.

A mixed-method study approach was performed in the most important Brazilian mining company, where three groups of equipment were observed: pumps, crushers and sieves. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected, including structured interviews with 60 maintenance professionals for the equipment, and a workshop was held to evaluate the applicability of these technologies in the maintenance activity of this equipment.

It was verified that the load handler, weight cancelers and automatically guided vehicle technologies were assessed as capable of mitigating ergonomic problems of the supporting the weight of parts and tools and the human traction during maintenance activities.

The study observed only one company, and the five technologies analyzed here are not yet a reality in this sector.

This research directs maintenance managers in the implementation of process improvements, in the incorporation of technologies capable of mitigating the ergonomic problems experienced by the maintenance professionals. In this way, it is expected to reduce the number of absences from work and improve the working conditions of these professionals.

Mining activities impact the local economy and are important in the development of technologies that improve productivity and the man–work relationship. The demands of industries for new solutions encourage local technological development through an approximation with university research and development centers. At the same time, it is observed that these centers can help in the formation of competences to act, either in the implementation of these technologies or in their handling. This university–company integration, in addition to benefiting the mining segment, has the potential to expand the solution to different supply chains, which proves to be a relevant social impact.

This study is pioneering in understanding the use of advanced technologies in maintenance activities in the context of the mining industry (extractive primary sector).

Automated guided vehicles have a long history, and with the growth of automation in manufacture and assembly they are becoming an increasingly important element in integrated systems. In this and the following two articles Jack Hollingum looks at a long‐established supplier of AGVs with ideas for the future; a pioneer of free‐ranging vehicles; and a research centre with ideas which could help in taking robot vehicles into completely new types of application.

Having pioneered the flexible link conveyor system EWAB is staying ahead with a new heavy duty system. Brian Rooks reports from the company's new UK headquarters in Telford.

Starting life in 1898 as an acetylene torch manufacturer the West German company Keller und Knappich, Augsburg (KUKA) has grown to one of Europe's largest manufacturers of factory automation equipment. Turnover in 1985 reached DM425 million, almost 50% of the turnover of the whole of IWKA (Industrie‐Werke Karlsruhe Augsburg), the group formed in 1970 following the merger of KUKA with IWK.