Fully automated long goods handling

The new PhoeniX electric multidirectional sideloader modular system has already been designed by Hubtex for step-by-step automation in its basic configuration and features electric steering, which enables longer operating times thanks to lower energy consumption. The manufacturer has now developed the fully automated PhoeniX AGV based on this core product.

"We are not simply launching the next AGV solution on the market, but are occupying a specific niche in which there are currently only a few automated solutions - the handling of long, heavy and bulky loads," says Hans-Joachim Finger, Managing Director Sales and Purchasing at Hubtex. "The PhoeniX is representative of our entire range of Hubtex vehicles with electric drive, to which the concept can be transferred."

Detection of different long goods
A special feature of the Phoenix AGV is the recognition of different long goods that protrude beyond the vehicle contour, which is important for multidirectional forklifts. The basic functions of the vehicle also include dynamic mapping, precise positioning and block storage. Hubtex uses object-based navigation to combine data from navigation, personnel protection and machine protection sensors. The personal protection sensors create a horizontal protective field in the direction of travel. This automatically reduces the driving speed to a stop if a person or object is located in the warning field. The personnel protection scanners are also used when the AGV enters the rack aisle precisely. In addition to the personal protection scanners, there are also machine protection scanners on the vehicle to protect against collisions. As the personnel protection scanner only monitors a one-dimensional scan level at a low height, objects protruding into the travel path, for example, cannot be detected. An additional navigation scanner provides support here and identifies objects in the surrounding area such as cantilever racks, walls or pillars.

Virtual map through combined scanner data
The combination of all scanner data creates an interactive, virtual map of the warehouse, which is used to determine the position of the Phoenix AGV within the warehouse and enables precise control of a storage location. The patented long goods detection system makes it possible to reliably detect and pick up long goods and adjust the travel range accordingly. Non-homogeneously distributed loads or profiles of different lengths can be detected within the detection range of the certified sensor system. The load contour facing the vehicle is scanned for this purpose. Using barcodes, it carries out a plausibility check of the travel order and also detects free spaces for the forks to dip into to pick up the load.

Due to the continuously growing requirements in intralogistics, the partial or full automation of warehouse processes and their flexibility is becoming increasingly important. Hubtex therefore relies on an integrative concept with which the solution is individually tailored to the customer.