Autonomous materials handling robot for advanced manufacturing applications

Abstract

There is a need for mobile robots in reconfigurable manufacturing systems to reduce bottlenecks that occur in associated materials handling systems. These bottlenecks can occur as a result of the mass production of custom products. The project has focused on researching, designing, assembling, testing and validating a two-wheeled autonomous materials handling robot for reconfigurable manufacturing systems. A Mechatronic engineering approach, (system integration), has been used for the project. The approach required a vehicle that was dynamically and statically stable while in operation. Research has been done to obtain the optimum control strategy for the purpose of keeping the robot balanced for variable load characteristics. A navigation system has been researched that will allow the vehicle to perform materials handling tasks necessary to reduce bottlenecks. A wireless communication system has also been incorporated into the infrastructure of the vehicle. Performance analysis and testing in a reconfigurable production environment proves the viability of the materials handling system. This involves vehicle scheduling and routing while performing materials handling tasks. © 2008, Versita. All rights reserved.