| Author: | Tso, Man-yung |
| Title: | Analysis on the adaptability and feasibility of implementing the automated guided vehicle system in outboard engine industry |
| Degree: | M.Sc. |
| Year: | 2000 |
| Subject: | Automated guided vehicle systems Hong Kong Polytechnic University -- Dissertations |
| Department: | Multi-disciplinary Studies Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Pages: | x, 149, [1] leaves : ill. (some col.) ; 30 cm |
| Language: | English |
| Abstract: | The purpose of this project is to design a low cost version automated guided vehicle system (AGVs) and evaluate the feasibility and adaptability on the implementation of this system for material-handling in the new plant of the Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) Asia Ltd. A detailed evaluation and analysis have been carried out to study the benefits on the implementation of the AGV system. In addition, there are four kinds of vehicles being discussed for implementation in the new plant of the OMC Asia Ltd. Three of them are modified from the existing material-handling equipment, and the other one is a new design. Besides, the AGV system consists of several kinds of systems including electronic system (on-board microcontroller, infrared sensor), wireless communication system, computer system, mechanical system (drive unit, steering), safety system and guidance system. Most of the above systems and vehicles are in-house designs. On top of that, the guidance of the second floor and third floor of the plant are designed as networks for easy modification and expansion. And so the optimal path finding algorithm is developed to determine the optimized path for vehicle according to information of current source node, destination node and network map. New traffic control algorithm, which includes routing and local detection, is also developed to smooth the transportation system. A minimum of 19 vehicles would be required for material-handling in the production lines. Among these vehicles, 10 are light load vehicles, 7 are outboard vehicles and the remaining 2 are fixture vehicles. The costs of investment, manpower, floor-space, operation and inventory are evaluated and determined, with the return on investment of the AGV system being months. If the AGV system was implemented in OMC, there would be a saving of HK$ 109,744 operation cost being saved in the first year. After five years, there would be HK$ 6,948,720 operation cost saved. Moreover, the in-house throughput time for the products can be reduced from 18 days to 11 days and the saving on the inventory will be HK$ 425,000 per year. To sum up, there are many advantages on the implementation of the AGV system, i.e. to reduce the material handling labour / operation costs, manufacturing lead time and in-process inventory and increase the productivity, etc. Therefore, it is highly recommended for OMC to implement the AGV system to replace the existing methods for material handling in the new plant, with the easiest and fastest way to install in existing building with minimum interference to ongoing operations. |
| Rights: | All rights reserved |
| Access: | restricted access |
Files in This Item:
| File | Description | Size | Format | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| b1517637x.pdf | For All Users (off-campus access for PolyU Staff & Students only) | 15.32 MB | Adobe PDF | View/Open |
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