A New Generation of Heavy Capacity Automatic Guided Vehicles

Wheelift based fluid equalizing suspension has become a key element in the ability to build heavier capacity automatic guided vehicles.  In 2005, the Doerfer Companies recognized an industry potential in heavier capacity automated handling systems. To further expand their foundation in custom automatic guided vehicles, they acquired the patented Wheelift suspension technology.

As part of the Doerfer group of companies, for several years the Waverly, Iowa based TDS Automation Group has been quietly building an expanding presence in automated material handling and manufacturing systems.  Because AGVs have been the corner-stone of TDS’s expanding roll in sophisticated custom manufacturing systems, adding the ability to build much heavier capacity systems has dramatically expanded those capabilities.

In addition to being able to carry loads ranging from 20 tons to many times that amount, the new generations of TDS-built AGVs can have much lower deck heights than ever-before-possible to support self-loading applications in heavy assembly operations.  Literally, an LP engine powered 100 ton AGV can have an overall height of only eighteen inches.

While battery operated vehicles are the industry norm, with its Wheelift based axle systems, TDS is now able to build LP gas driven onboard generating systems that can provide an unlimited surplus of power for the most demanding heavy AGV operations, yet be low enough to drive under work platform supported loads to move them to the next assembly position.

LEAN manufacturing can now be more than a buzz word.  Very heavy products can easily now be built in ultra slow moving LEAN-based assembly lines.  Stall-built applications too can now take on new dimensions with AGVs that have no restrictions on how heavy the components to be carried can weigh.   Also, these new-generation AGVs have greatly expanded maneuverability, with the ability to move sideways, rotate on their own center line, and lift and lower.  The fluid suspension has the inherent ability to raise   five to eight inches to handle self-loading operations.

In addition to laser and wire guided systems, the TDS/Wheelift group furnishes Siemens based inertial guided technology as currently manufactured by Savant Automation, Inc. located in Grand Rapids, MI.