How many AGVs are required?
Explore transport-resource requirements under the model’s defined production assumptions.
RESEARCH PROJECT · INTELLIGENT AUTOMATION
Planning AGV capacity for changing production conditions
This research project explored how the number of automated guided vehicles and buffer capacity influence material flow in a production environment with changing workstation demand.
Production-flow model
- Material source
- AGV transport
- Buffer
- Workstation
- Completed flow
Research problem
Balancing transport capacity and production demand
Too few transport vehicles can delay material delivery, while adding vehicles without considering buffers and workstation demand may not improve the overall flow. The research examined how these variables interact under different production conditions.
How does buffer capacity affect flow?
Examine the relationship between available buffers, delivery needs, and waiting conditions.
How does workstation demand change the result?
Compare how production and demand conditions affect the transport requirements.
Research method
A model for evaluating production scenarios
Define production demand
Represent the demand and operating conditions of the workstations.
Configure transport capacity
Evaluate alternative numbers of AGVs within the model.
Evaluate buffer capacity
Examine how available buffers affect material flow and waiting conditions.
Compare scenarios
Review the model outputs to understand the relationship between capacity, demand, and transport resources.
System variables
Key variables considered in the study
- Number of AGVs
- Workstation production demand
- Transport requirements
- Buffer capacity
- Waiting or queue conditions
- Material-flow performance
MODEL & PRODUCTION FLOW
Visualising the production system
Findings and relevance
From research model to planning insight
The study provides a structured way to compare AGV and buffer configurations under defined production assumptions. Its value is in supporting scenario analysis and planning discussions rather than supplying one fixed configuration for every production environment.
Any industrial application would require validation with the actual layout, demand, timing, operational constraints, and available data.
RESEARCH REFERENCE
Read the academic record
This project was completed in connection with an MSc in Intelligent Automation at the University of Skövde.
Related capabilities
Relevant capabilities for industrial digitalisation
Project scope depends on the available data and operational requirements.
- Workflow and process analysis
- Simulation and scenario evaluation
- Data-informed planning
- Visual reporting
- Tailored web applications
- Intelligent automation
INDUSTRIAL WORKFLOWS
Exploring a production-planning or automation challenge?
We can discuss the current process, available data, operating constraints, and whether a focused analysis or digital prototype would be a useful first step.