Comparative analysis of automated guided vehicle and multilayer conveyor systems using simulation

This study presents an evaluation of throughput capabilities of alternative material handling systems within a real life manufacturing environment. The emphasis was to find a least cost, high throughput material handling system capable of meeting the conveyance requirements. Simulation was used to model the characteristics of manufacturing and handling systems, and their interactions through complex scheduling and dispatching algorithms. Models were developed to evaluate automated guided vehicle (AGV) and multi-layer conveyor systems. The results showed significant differences exist not only between the performances of conveyor and AGV systems but also between different AGV systems, The results also showed the impact of scheduling rules on the performance of these systems.