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AGC? Click here to
ask us! |
What
is a SmartCart AGC?
- A self-propelled, battery powered
single directional vehicle
- Follows magnetic tape (or bar)
- Less expensive, more reliable than
an AGV
- Uses latest Wireless LAN technology
- Ideal for simple, repetitive,
point-to-point movement of material
- Ideal for low to medium volume
assembly (30-80 jobs per hour)
- Ideal for applications where
constant cost cutting is required
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The SmartCart™
Automatic Guided Cart (AGC) is ideal for
transporting instrument panels, engines, doors and
transmissions through assembly stations, moving
finished sub-assemblies to the packaging or
shipping areas, or delivering parts from the
receiving dock to temporary storage or direct to
the final assembly line.
AGC's can run in a simple loop without upper level
computer controls. Control Engineering Company's
new "Cart Management System™" or CMS
allows the carts to operate in complex layouts
with computer blocking controls and to interface
with other in-plant systems. The Windows 2000
based CMS cart controller allows the user to
reconfigure carts easily, through drop down menus.
Modified guidepath layouts and cart functions can
be downloaded via RF signal to the carts in
seconds.
SmartCart AGC Strengths vs. Conventional
Conveyor
Scalable Material Handling
A unique advantage to SmartCart AGCs is that you
“only purchase the throughput you need – when
you need it”. While conventional conveyor
requires you buy the entire throughput at once.
This allows a system to be installed inexpensively
to perform a low throughput. Then as
activity/revenue increases, so can your
throughput.
Portable Material Handling
A SmartCart AGC system can be installed in an area
or facility this year and quite easily moved and
retooled as necessary. A SmartCart AGC module is
like an engine in an automobile, changing the
outer shell changes it’s purpose while allowing
you to keep the core the same. This means that as
economies change so can where you put your
automation.
Easy Installation
Magnetic Tape and Flat Transponder Tags are about
a 1/16” thick, so they can mount “on” the
floor, with no need for drilling or cutting.
Installation is as easy as: sweep the floor,
measure and snap some chalk lines, mark your turn
radii, stick down your tape and transponders, and
run your SmartCart AGCs.
Eliminate Barriers
Floor mounted conveyor can impede access. But
since all of the floor level installation is
noninvasive, SmartCart AGC systems only create
orchestrated traffic. Access is only blocked while
travelling through an area or while sitting in a
station.
Easy Modification
Simple system changes can be made in a matter of
hours. Extensive system changes can usually be
made over a weekend.
Less Potential System Downtime
When a drive fails in a conventional conveyor
system it can bring the whole system to a halt
while repairs are made. If a SmartCart AGC ever
fails it only halts the system until the cart can
be moved out of the way allowing for reduced
system throughput while repairs are made.
Clean and Quiet
No chains and sprockets means that the hassle and
noise are eliminated.
Got Questions
about the SmartCart AGC? Click
here to ask us!
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