Pepperl+Fuchs Blog

Data Matrix codes pack a tremendous amount of digital information into a postage-stamp-sized footprint. Found in seemingly endless commercial and consumer areas, such as warehouses, distribution centers, automotive, and production facilities, their full potential in industrial automation applications is only now being tapped. Want to elevate your logistics? Read on to learn how to this powerful technology enhances AGV control.

Conventional camera-based vision systems and light section sensors can be applied to range of applications. While vision systems are a more traditional solution, they can be expensive and complex for simple presence or absence detection tasks. In contrast, light section technology is a more economical alternative that offers a simple “yes/no” result for detection, monitoring, or protection applications. Whether for advanced measurement tasks, part verification, or profile comparison, these technologies can provide the results you need for your application.

Moving from point A to B in a busy warehouse can be a challenge for even the most advanced AGVs. So, it is important that the right guidance system is in place to ensure material handling tasks can be performed accurately and reliably.

With the compact position guided vision (PGV) positioning system from Pepperl+Fuchs, even the smallest AGVs can navigate without error. The PGV works in conjunction with the following four guidance options, all of which are available for our newest PGV EtherNet/IP version for more interoperability: Data Matrix code tape, colored lanes, control codes, and Data Matrix tags.

Efficient intralogistics requires automated guided vehicles (AGVs) to move with speed and precision through warehouses or factory floors, avoiding obstacles and navigation errors. Navigation technology is essential to ensuring an AGV and the product it is carrying make it to their destination in one piece. One of the most popular types of AGV guidance technology is tape. The two types of AGV navigation tape are nonmagnetic tape, which can be comprised of Data Matrix codes or just solid color, and magnetic tape.

The PosiTrack Shield is an accessory upgrade for our PosiTrack absolute position linear encoder. You can use the PosiTrack read head for absolute positioning of conveyor vehicles, vertical lifts, or indoor cranes. By adding the PosiTrack Shield, applications in harsh outdoor environments like offshore installations (ships, ports, harbors) or outdoor cranes are no problem.

The Shield's IP69 rating also serves to shelter the read head in high-pressure washdown areas. With integrated heating, temperatures as low as -40 °C keep the read head operating efficiently. The Shield is also downward compatible with current PosiTrack installations.

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are used to move product throughout the factory or warehouse floor. Speed and precision are key when moving materials— if you've seen AGVs zipping around in a warehouse, you want to ensure that they stay on track and that they go exactly where they need to, with materials and AGV intact.

The video below discusses the key features and general applications for our PGV absolute positioning system for automatic guided vehicles. The PGV follows Data Matrix codes or colored lines with sub-millimeter precision and is ideal for guidance of AGVs.

From control codes to initiate starts, stops, and turns, to the user-friendly software Vision Configurator, the PGV is packed with the tools you need for any AGV application.