Potential conveyor alternative

According to KNAPP, its recently launched Open Shuttles have the potential to replace fixed lines of conveyor.

Featuring a sleek design, Open Shuttles are free-roaming, laserguided mini AGVs. By keeping access ways free of traditional lines of fixed conveyor, KNAPP believes that Open Shuttles could change the face of factories and distribution facilities over the coming years.

Designed specifically for handling cartons and containers, Open Shuttles are considerably smaller and neater than typical AGVs, making them suitable for all kinds of lowerthroughput transport tasks or to combine transport and picking tasks.

Craig Rollason, head of sales and marketing for KNAPP UK says: "They are ideal for use in just-in-time environments - such as automotive production - or in processes where tracking of material is important, such as in the pharmaceutical industry where cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) is essential.

They are also perfect in manufacturing applications for delivering raw materials, transporting work-inprocess, moving finished goods, removing scrap materials and supplying packaging items."