International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume III, Issue IA, January 2016 | ISSN 2321–2705

AGV Based Material Handling System: A Literature Review

Prof. A.V. Gaur¹, Prof. Dr. M.S. Pawar²

 ¹Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brahmadevdada Mane Institute of Technology, Solapur, Maharashtra
²Principal and Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brahmadevdada Mane Institute of Technology, Solapur, Maharashtra

Abstract- This paper is intended to provide a literature review of AGV based material handling system .Among the various factors influencing the design and operation performance of AGV in a manufacturing unit, literature review on four major factors are undertaken in this paper i.e. Throughput, Unit load, Flow path design and Fleet size. The study aims at revealing basic research methodologies/approaches followed, objective function and problem areas of the material handling system. The review study covers articles coming from major journals related with the topic. Findings reveal that AGV based material handling system is still an open area of research. Keywords: AGV, unit load, fleet size, throughput, flow path design.

I. INTRODUCTION

Material Handling involves the movement of materials from one place to another for the purpose of processing or storing. According to American Material Handling society,’ Material Handling is an art and science of involving the movement, packing and storing of subsystems in any form. Thus material handling function includes all types of movements vertical, horizontal or combination of both and of all types of material fluid, semi fluid and discrete items and of movements required for packing and storing. The material handling function is considered as one of the most important activities of the production function as out of total time spent by the materials inside the plant area, about 20% of the time is utilized for actual processing on them while remaining 80 % of the time is spent in moving from one place to another, waiting for processing or finding place in sub-stores. Moreover about 20 % of the total production cost is traceable as material handling cost. The relative percentage will vary according to the type of product, plant layout, production method, availability of resources like men, machine etc. In most manufacturing systems, the material handling system plays a critical role since it is primarily responsible for providing the right material at the right place, and at the right time. A poorly designed material handling system interferes with the efficient operation of a manufacturing concern and in the long-term it may lead to a substantial loss in productivity.