Safety award for LGV
A panel of experts recently judged OCME as the Specialist Winners in the Automation category of the BITA Design 4 Safety Awards for its Auriga Laser Guided Vehicle.
The OCME Auriga LGV is designed with all round protection that minimises the potential to strike pedestrians. The onboard laser scanning devices are used to sense obstacles posing a collision risk and stop the vehicle. The vehicle also has acoustic and visual warning signals that make it clear to pedestrians if the vehicle is about to turn.
In addition to the safety of the vehicle, OCME also considers all safety aspects when designing the operating layout for the LGVs. Paths are designed so that a safe distance is always maintained between an LGV and a fixed obstacle. Also, escape routes and safe areas are included for pedestrians and blind alleys are avoided.
OCME LGVs can perform the routine tasks that are normally carried out by fork-lift and clamp trucks, without the need for a driver. The cost saving associated with labour is usually significant, however LGVs can also help to reduce operating costs in other ways; for example, no unexpected bills for repairing damage caused by forklift trucks to the building, machinery and product. Also, about 50% lower maintenance costs.
The OCME Auriga is controlled from a central PC which is used to set the missions of the vehicles and manage the flow of traffic. Communication between the PC and the vehicles is made by Ethernet wireless network. Because no wires need to be embedded in the floor, the installation is normally straightforward and, if the plant layout changes in the future, the route of the LGV can be easily modified.
