AGV, the intelligent transport robot, is a typical high-tech complex that combines computer, internet of the things, information fusion and artificial intelligence technologies. Its reliable operation is crucial to the entire modern logistics system.
Since 2012, Mr. Qiu Feng, a national-leveled technician with the background of being educated as a maintenance electrician, has overcome numerous difficulties and successfully developed/manufactured more than ten types of AGV products ranging from 0.5 tons to 7 tons. Not resting on his laurels, Mr. Qiu is continuing improving the AGV performance and expanding new models.
“Previous AGVs were slow, and small in loading capacities, not suitable for long-distance transportation. We need to develop an AGV with fast speed, large loading capacity plus no need for fixed tracks.” Qiu Feng led the team to focus finally on the 10-ton heavy-duty off-road AGV.
However, the R&D and production threshold of the new AGV far exceeded Qiu Feng’s expectations.
“We consulted a lot of information. We calculated, simulated, selected parts, installed and debugged them all by ourselves. But there was nothing to learn from.” Qiu Feng found out that in complicated application scenarios, AGV needs a more accurate navigation method. Navigation magnetic strip has become the biggest hurdle for AGV to get rid of in order to “go free”.
After 134 days of research, demonstration and experimentation, Qiu Feng and his team finally understood the “temperament” of the heavy-loaded AGV. They creatively used composite navigation – Beidou satellite navigation for outdoors space, and laser navigation automatically switched to at indoor areas where signals were not available, thus ensuring seamless and reliable operation of the AGV.
But the use of composite navigation has unexpectedly laid hidden dangers for subsequent reliability testing. “During the test, the vehicle stopped frequently while running, for no reason. I realized that this was not a coincidence. During the entire R&D process, we checked and did everything we could on the technical level and in the data, but the problem still exists.”
“Not being able to pinpoint the problem” became the biggest problem. One day, Qiu Feng was waiting for the red light at an intersection. There were many cars, and the radio began to suffer from bad signals and make noices. After crossing the intersection, the signal was normal again. Interference! He suddenly thought of the problem with the AGV: The sudden stop of the AGV might be caused by interference.
Qiu Feng sensed a glimmer of hope. “All signal lines were checked one by one, and it was found out that the motor controller interfered with the communication of the whole vehicle.” Qiu Feng and his team replaced the double-shielded cable. The seemingly insignificant problem which almost prevented the AGV from “going free” was solved. After that incident, no more failures ever happeded again. The car equipped with the AGV is now in mass production.
Having been working for more than 30 years in the field and having independently completed more than 100 major technical transformation and innovation projects, Mr. Qiu is an experienced expert now. The heavy-load off-road AGV developed by Qiu Feng and his team has won the first prize of Shandong Province’s Outstanding Innovation Achievement Award for Workers, the Outstanding Innovation Achievement Award for China’s Machinery Industry. It has 10 national patents, filling the domestic gap in AGVs for complex road conditions and long-distance transportation of large and heavy pieces.
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