THE ROYAL Australian Mint will replace its forklifts with Laser Guided Vehicles (LGVs) as part of its ongoing materials handling modernisation program.
Contractor Australis Engineering is currently incorporating a range of technologies to work together as a cohesive, including the LGVs, robotics, automated vision systems, manufacturing execution system (MES) software, conveyors, multi-axis elevators, scanners and labellers.
According to the company, it is around halfway through the work, and the project will be finished in March 2009.
The three LGVs will be replacing four forklifts, and will be programmed to handle 1350 pickup and drop-off points for coin blanks, finished coins and associated production materials.
The machines will have a 1500kg capacity, and will have a vertical reach suitable to pallet racks of three high. Palletised products will be moved between floors automatically, and the LGVs will interact with the goods lift, loading and unloading pallets to and from the lift.
The company claims replacing traditional forklifts eliminates the occupational health and safety risks on the production floor where operators and vehicles work side-by-side.
Add a comment