Electric Motor Solutions for Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)

Automated guided vehicles (AGVs) have profoundly changed the landscape of intralogistics systems in factories, warehouses, e-commerce distribution centers, and healthcare as trends in intelligent manufacturing and smart logistics develop. AGVs have set the foundation for the future of logistics in unattended, efficient, and safe material handling, with the electric motor system being at the core of the AGV, driving an AGV and representing the energy efficiency of the vehicle while providing a fine-tuned method of navigation.

1. The Following Key Requirements of Motors in AGVs:

AGVs are required to work continuously in valuable, tight indoor spaces that often require frequent starts, stops, and changes in direction. Motors engineered for an AGV need to satisfy the following:

Compact & High Torque Density

AGV motors should be high torque and compact in dimension to allow AGVs to fit in efficient low-profile chassis and reduce the overall weight of the AGV system.

High Efficiency & Low Power Consumption

AGV motors should be efficient throughout the entire load range to maximize battery life between charges.

Accurate Control & Fast Response

The AGV motors should be able to give smooth speed regulation and fast response to control docking, alignment, and speed of the vehicle in a dynamic environment.

Low Noise & Vibration

AGVs are used in cleanrooms and medical environments depending on their application so low noise and/or vibration levels should be serviced or engineered toward.

Long Life & low Maintenance

Since AGVs are expected to work continuously in a 24/7 cycle, AGV motors should be able to provide a solid module, produce no build heat, and require low maintenance.

Compatible with Controller Variety

AGV Motors need to be compatible with standard communication protocols considering often common between controllers such as CAN, RS485, and Modbus to connect and integrate the controller to the AGV motor.

2. Potential Types of Motors in AGV Applications

As outlined before, depending on the AGV design and functional application, AGVs can use a variety of motors such as:

Brushless DC Motors (BLDC): Compact design, high efficiency, and fast acceleration makes BLDC suited for small and medium-sized AGVs.

Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors (PMSM): PMSM is smooth when operating, precise speed control, operates less heat and is beneficial for advanced AGVs that demand high levels of positioning accuracy.

Wheel Hub Motors: Wheel hub motors integrate direct to the wheels allowing for space saving in the AGV chassis and eliminating and/or significantly reducing transmission and other components. Wheel hub motors are an ideal solution for mobile AMRs having capsule, compact, small form factors.

3. Depuda Custom Motor Systems for AGVs

Depuda is geared towards providing electric motor solutions for intelligent logistics, with a strong foundation in providing robust and custom drive technology for the AGV platform. Depuda offers:

1. Flexible Customization: a custom shaft, the best shape of flange and dimensioning, and configuration capable of adapting to any value, chassis layout in offer,

2. Flexible Controller Compatibility: compatible with Major Brand controllers, available in any location in the world,

3. Integrations within the modules: Motors may come integrated with encoders, trip brakes and gears giving module makers plug-and-play configurations with adaptation through engineering,

4. .High-efficiency designs: with developments in winding and magnetic designs that improve energy draw and range,

5. IP Rated, Water & dust Protection: ratings between IP54 to IP65 to protect against dust and water during use, or of being in the open.

6. Engineering Support: sample testing, matching design for performance, and after sales technical training supports, etc.

Depuda AGV motor solutions have been employed in numerous applications including warehouses, healthcare/hospital delivery, production line transfer, intelligent library logistics, and automated laboratories. We enable smarter movement with reliable, trusted, intelligent drive technologies.