What’s the difference between AGVs and AMRs?
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMR) are becoming increasingly known and are two variants for automated transport.
AGVs follow a fixed line and cannot deviate from it, unlike AMRs that can avoid objects. KUMATECH has consciously choosen for an automated guided vehicle. Our two frequently used statements are: “Simplicity in complexity” and “Automation is organization”, this fits well with the choice for an AGV. Because we do not avoid and follow a fixed pass, our vehicle technology is simpler, more robust and therefore cheaper.

We believe in the power of simplicity. That's the basic of our products. We believe in times like these, automation is essential and automated transport should be affordable to make the step, especially for SMEs. It motivated us to start developing AGVs ourselves.

We developed the vehicles completely in-house, from chassis drawing to the last bits and bites of the software. This gives us control over the entire process, allowing us to manage the technology, inventory, quality and price.

Thanks to our unique navigation system, no constructional adjustments to the building are necessary and the implementation is simple and fast, which saves even more costs. In short, the best-buy AGVs without skimping on quality!

Our AGVs have an ROI of only one year if you can automate 6 logistics hours per day.

Tom, Jack and Joe are the names of the KUMATECH Automated Guided Vehicles. These AGVs are the colleagues of your company's employees. The employees accept the AGV vehicles more conveniently if they have a short name. After all, it's nice to say that Jack is just going to get the pallet.

1. WIFI
Orders are transmitted to an AGV using WIFI. There is no need for complete coverage of the entire transport route. However, WIFI is required where the AGV may receive a task to perform an operation and where traffic management is applied to.

2. Floor
A clean concrete floor is the only structural requirement. It is advisable to scrub the floor thoroughly before starting to learn the routes in order to have a good starting point. Coated floors are limited possible, we can test these in advance.

3. Battery charging station
The battery charging station supplied as standard requires a 230V power connection. The AGV will automatically start charging if there are no transport orders or if the battery percentage has dropped below the set level.

KUMATECH AGV vehicles are equipped with lithium batteries (LiFePO4). This type of battery is the best battery pack currently available for this application. Battery life is expressed in charge cycles (cycle = 1 x charge and 1 x discharge). The battery pack we use has a lifespan of 6000 cycles which means a lifespan of 16 years if the battery is fully charged once a day.

Acceptance and utility determine the success or failure of an Automated Guided Vehicle. The AGV has no intelligence like an employee. So the employees will have to lend Tom, Jack or Joe a hand. For example, the AGVs will need a clear way to successfully complete the operation. They will also need to be controlled by an app from the employees or an action entered into the ERP system. If this is accepted, the AGV vehicles will take over best the time-consuming and tedious act of transportation.

Of course, an Automated Guided Vehicle must also be useful. For example, it will have to travel an interesting distance or organize the supply and removal of a machine so it can run 24/7.

If the AGV is useful and the acceptance is a fact, the employees will have a colleague working after working hours or they will carry out the logistics work so more output is realized in the factory.

If a welding robot is present, the modules below are necessary to automate it through an AGV vehicle.

AGV vehicle: Kumatech's AGV vehicles are designed and build to operate in an industrial environment. Because of the large wheels, the positioning accuracy of ±5mm, knowledge of the manufacturing industry and the integrated lifting, these AGVs are very suitable for this purpose.

Clamp module welding jig: Normally, the welding jig is fixed in the manipulators. In this automation, the AGV transports the welding jig. This requires a clamp module which automatically clamps and releases the welding jig. KUMATECH has standard clamp modules which perform these operations automatically.

Welding jig: The welding jig is necessary to position the products. As described, it is usually permanently positioned in the manipulators. For the automatic clamp module to function with the welding jig, a clamp plate on the welding jig is required.

Loading and unloading spot welding jig: Normally, this welding jig is loaded in the welding cell by an operator. Because the AGV transports the welding jig in and out of the welding cell, the welding jig is loaded outside the welding cell. Loading outside the welding cell makes the working conditions more pleasant for the operator. He is not exposed to the UV radiation, welding noise and welding fumes. The location of the loading and unloading spot of the welding jigs can also be elsewhere in the factory, eliminating the need for a hoisting device in the welding cell and allowing for an efficient and safe operation.

Transport cart welding jig: Larger welding assemblies also require larger welding jigs. To transport these stably, KUMATECH often uses a transport trolley. The AGV vehicles with integrated elevator function can elevator this transport trolley in order to carry out transport with minimal AGV.

Software: Because KUMATECH has already implemented several welding robots with automatic loading and unloading with AGV vehicles, a modular and proven software system was developed for this purpose.

The control of the AGV vehicles and welding cells, can be done through an ERP system or through the KUMATECH (web-based) TMA system.