Rail Guided Vehicle (RGV) Moves from Combustion Power to Contactless Electric Power
March 15, 2023
The Problem
Moving 68 Ton metal coils within a warehouse space requires raw power. Historically, this was only achievable by using large payload RGVs (Rail Guided Vehicles) with polluting combustion engines or environmentally damaging lead acid batteries.
Factory and warehouse environments already have their share of harmful emissions. As a result, many plants are looking for new ways of reducing airborne toxins and creating a safer work environment without sacrificing equipment performance or productivity.
The Strategy: The Electrification of the RGV System
MAXOLUTION® is about maximizing the potential and the ROI of our client’s systems solutions by designing and implementing turnkey, all-in-one, advanced manufacturing processes. The objectives are to evaluate the deficiencies of an automation process and provide recommendations and the support necessary to design, validate and seamlessly integrate custom-tailored smart solutions.
Key Data Points:
Identifying Payload Power Requirements
MAXOULTION’s engineering team carefully reviewed the client’s application using engineering first principles. Power and torque requirements were calculated using site elevation changes, bearing types, requested accelerations, linear speeds, and existing design dimensions, including wheel diameters, sprocket ratios, wheel, and rail materials.
Evaluating Functionality Deliverables
- Determine the feasibility of converting a combustion powered RGV system to a fully electric MAXOLUTION® system solution
- Validating the notion of using Electromagnetic charging as the RGV’s primary power supply
- Meeting the criteria for an environmentally sustainable solution
Capital Investment Criteria
- Meeting the client’s request for a lower total cost of ownership
- Paid off investment projections within 12- 18 months
Implementation For a Reliable Low Maintenance Solution
- Demonstrated the value of a zero maintenance solution via contactless wireless power exchange
- Enrolled client with SEW-Eurodrive`s 24/7/365 localized support program
- Reviewed and confirmed the requirements for wet or outdoor type applications
Added Benefits of Advanced Manufacturing
- Introduction to practical, in-market, advanced manufacturing Industry 4.0 technology
- Demonstrated how MAXOLUTION® system solutions can mimic existing throughput cycle via advanced manufacturing processes
- Showcased the scalability of Industry 4.0 technology
Improved Safety / Environmental Initiatives
- Replace combustion motor with electric emission-free motor
- Implementing a long-term environmentally sustainable solution
- Drawing on clean and renewable energy to power its RGV system
- Eliminating airborne toxins for a safer, cleaner working environment
The Smart Move: MOVITRANS®
So, where do you find an all-in-one solution with the capability of shuttling up to and beyond 68 Tons of payload across a factory floor? And doesn’t emit toxins, is virtually maintenance-free, and uses a renewable energy source?
Welcome MOVITRANS®! This friction-free, electric-powered energy supply runs off an electromagnetic charge (like your phone’s charging station—just bigger!) by installing industrial-sized charging cables below the factory floor.
The MOVITRANS® contactless energy transfer system is scalable from 8kw to 48kW and can transmit continuous power to mobile consumers wirelessly over a 20mm air gap. And yes, it eliminates the need for any energy storage, exposed power bus bars, or cable tracks resulting in a true maintenance-free system with an attractive ROI on the initial investment. Just think of MOVITRANS® as having your own clean energy, toxin-free underground fuel pipeline.
The complete MOVITRANS® installation process will require some minor construction and preparation work; however, the combined benefits of having a safe, clean, reliable, and continuous power source are easily justified. And yes, we proved it!
Although the retrofitted RGV runs exclusively on MOVITRANS®, MAXOLUTION’s modern AGV systems have the capability to deviate from its primary power source (MOVITRANS®) by harvesting energy from its onboard supercapacitors. The onboard supercapacitors are paired with a well-designed motion plan that places charging stations in strategic areas throughout the AGVs shuttling route. The combined technology and design engineering results in the continuous and uninterrupted flow of power and unrestricted payload delivery capabilities.
Before Smart Move
- Powered by Combustion Motor
- Environmentally Sustainable
- Presence of airborne toxins and emissions
- Antiquated Manufacturing Technology
- Higher Total Cost of Ownership
- Ongoing Maintenance
After Smart Move
- Fully Electric Powered
- Environmentally Sustainable
- Elimination of Airborne Toxins and Emissions
- Integrated Advanced Manufacturing Industry 4.0 Technology
- Lower Total Cost of Ownership
- Virtually Maintenance Free
Add In MOVIMOT®
Pair your new energy supply with our decentralized digital inverter technology MOVIMOT® that accommodates direct mounting on the motor or as close to the motor as possible. Thanks to our modular concept, the MOVIMOT® D-series can be combined as standard with our DR series AC motors with different levels of efficiency and any of our historical modular gearing. This allows for maximum efficiency, flexibility, and simple installation without needing special panel enclosures.
Results
- Fully Electric Powered
- Emission And Toxin Free Air Quality
- Safe And Reliable
- Continuous Power Supply
- Maintenance Free
- Wet Or Outdoor Applications
- Environmentally Sustainable
- Lower Total Cost Of Ownership
- 24/7/365 Localized Support
More Information
Related Story
AGV Motion Plan Anyone? SEW-EURODRIVE’s Motion Plan Request Can Help
SEW-EURODRIVE is not only here to make recommendations, but they are also here to explain the reasons why. Industry 4.0 is not an overnight solution; it requires planning of you facilities motion plan from beginning to end. Motion planning isn’t something new—you should have done this years ago. Regardless of the outcome, they would be more than willing to set up a meeting to discuss, no obligation, just a quick visit and leave the rest up to them.
