CREFORM COURIER AGV BRINGS NEW EFFICIENCIES TO MAIL DELIVERY

Improving information flow is a priority for most plants, warehouses and other large facilities and it typically involves large expenditures for IT or people spend a lot of non-value added time walking paperwork around. Creform® Corporation (Greer, SC) has successfully tackled a key aspect of this problem and they've done it using their own technology, without the expense, delay and headaches that often accompany ambitious IT projects.

While a great deal of information is handled electronically these days, there is still a lot of paper that needs to flow between departments on a regular basis to keep an operation running smoothly. Creform is speeding the flow of mail, parcels and paperwork relating to orders within its own Greer, SC, plant and reducing mailroom labor costs by using one of its own Creform Courier automated guided vehicles (AGVs) as an automated mailman.

Unlike the costly and difficult to install AGV systems of the past, Creform AGCs are cost effective and rapidly deployed. That's because the vehicles can be created and customized using the Creform® System of plastic-coated steel pipe, metal joints and hardware accessories that can be easily configured to build the desired structure.

Installation of these systems is similarly low cost, and non-interruptive with no need to dig up the floor. That's because the vehicles require only Creform adhesive-backed magnetic tape on the floor to designate their guidepath. The tape is read by a magnetic induction sensor

on the drive unit. Needless to say, the AGV's route can be easily modified if needs change.

The mail AGV at Creform travels a guidepath of approximately ¼ mile, navigating the entire route twice an hour. It automatically controls exterior roll up doors via photocell, and assures safety through an array of features, including an audible warning device, a flashing light, E-stop buttons, a non-contact object detector and a safety bumper.

It has a speed of 4-50 m/min (13-164 ft/min), capacity of 280 kg (620 lb), and a minimum turning radius of 600 mm (24 in.). The 24 Volt system is powered by two 12 Volt lead acid batteries and plugs into any 115 Volt, 60 HZ, 15 amp outlet for recharging.

The mail vehicle features a package tray on top for boxes and totes, and large, clearly marked file drawers on the side for the various internal departments. Simple, bold, visual tags (NO MAIL or YOU'VE GOT MAIL) let associates know at a glance if they need to unload the AGV.

There are six stops on the Creform mail route: the tech center, inventory control, picking, assembly, shipping/receiving, and packing. Each stop is for a pre-set period of time, though associates can press the vehicle's stop button if they need more time, then send it on its way by simply pressing the start button. When its work day is done the AGV is plugged in overnight for recharging, and it's ready to go again in the morning.

Having proved its usefulness in its own plant, Creform is looking to export this application to other factories as well as distribution centers, medical labs, check processing centers, remittance processing areas and the many other locations that can benefit from cost effective, automated mail delivery.

Besides AGV systems, Creform structural components are also used to create conventional material handling devices, including push and towed carts, flow racks, roller conveyors, hinged shelf carts, tilting racks, info and kanban stations, workstations, and rolling tool cribs. The Creform System is a proven component in continuous improvement and Lean Manufacturing programs, and Creform Corporation partners with customers in developing and implementing these programs.