Building Overhead AGV Network System

[shanice_c]

[ FlexSim 21.2.0 ]

For Overhead AGV Network System, there are 4 questions I have.

AGV overhead would need a gripper lifting up and down when loading/unloading. I used the hook of a crane as the task executer, and use another shape to display an OHAGV. But now I have problem with how to let the hook lift down when loading/unloading? Or I should use other task executer instead?

How to change task executer travel speed? Because the panel on the right hand side is not available. In AGV Network Properties panel, it could set forward speed there, but what' the difference between these two setting?

Also when AGV is traveling from vertical direction to horizon direction. Generally it will rotate like the picture on right hand side, but I need AGV not rotating its head, which is like left picture.

My last problem is there any ways to group all AGV network(paths and control point)? As this AGV system is not working on the floor, I prefer an efficient way to adjust network height after building the entire network.

Attached are my model and the yellow AGV chassis I used.

OHAGV.fsm

AGV chassis.7z

[ryan_c10 · Accepted solution]

Hello @Fiona C,

Here are my answers to your questions:

1. I made a small model illustrating what I think you're trying to accomplish. I have a crane to load the AGV and another crane to unload that don't use the AGV Network. Then the AGVs are on their own path. You could replace the AGVs with your own chassis as before. Is this close to what you were trying to do? crane_test.fsm
2. You can only change the Task Executer travel speed if that Object is using the Default Navigator. Since the AGVs navigate via the AGV Network, you can adjust their speed in the AGV Network Properties window.
3. I'm not sure how to stop the AGV from rotating, though. Sorry about that! My only suggestion would be to use some sort of custom code.
4. For moving the AGV network of paths and control points, you actually don't need to do that. In the Model Properties pane, you can adjust "Grid Z," which allows you to more easily place objects at different Z positions (heights).

I hope this helps!

[ryan_c10]

In relation to the third question, there is an option on some task executers to choose whether or not to rotate while traveling, but I'm not sure if it's possible to make that choice when using the AGV Network instead of the Default Navigator.

[shanice_c]

hi, @Ryan Clark , thank you for your answer.

For bullet 1, I'm sorry but actually the task executer I need in my model is only AGV, no need cranes in my case. The reason I use crane object is to realize my overhead AGV picking and placing boxes to the Processors and Queues lower than OHAGV. I choose crane object to use because it has a hook, which could lifting up and down. So could you teach me how to make the hook works?

For bullet 2, may I ask what is Default Navigator? Since when I use Default Navigator for TaskExecuter1, it doesn't move at anymore.

For bullet 4, I'd like to place my whole networks and control points objects at a time, rather than one by one. Because I have a large scope of equipment and Queues in my model, so I hope I don't have to set every paths, curves, controlpoints one by one.

[support5CRPZ]

@Fiona C

Would you use 'NetworkNode Navigator' replacing with 'AGV network' for OHV(Overhead Transfer Vehicle)?

NetworkNode Navigator means 'DefaultNetwork Navigator' and to use network node object. And then you can make up and down arm of the OHV animated during some time like each 5 sec.

Of course, you need not to make animations of up-down lifting items.

I think the networknode navigator will solve your four issues and have another visual OHV model for customers.

[ryan_c10]

Hi @Fiona C,

1. I think @David Seo's solution for the hook seems like a good one for your application. What do you think?
2. The Default Navigator is what is used for normal task execution, like when you have Task Executers connected to the center port of a Fixed Resource and have it acting as transport. Since you currently have the AGV Network set up, the AGVs won't do anything without the AGV Network, but if you had them connected by standard port connections, they would perform tasks then with the Default Navigator. Again, I agree with @David Seo that using the Network Navigator would be helpful, so you don't have to bother with the more complicated AGV logic. See here for more details about Travel Networks and the Network Navigator.
3. Using the Network Navigator could also address your rotation issue since you could use the option to deselect the option to "Rotate While Traveling" (see image below).
4. It is possible to group the elements of the AGV Network into a Group that you can copy and paste as a unit. It looks like the control points lose their connections to the paths, but after you adjust their position slightly, they reconnect just fine.

I hope this helps!

[shanice_c]

@David Seo I still hope I could use AGV network if possible , because I have process flow logic for this plant. The OHAGV in below video was made by my previous colleague. I hope I could make crane work because the parameters of lifting speed and time spent also affect the simulation analysis result.

I check in animation pane, this OHAGV was originally an AGV object, and was change over with a chassis. And then add a crane into it. Two are both taskexecuters, I would like to know how to make both them works. AGV travel from locationA to locationB. Crane is responsible for loading and unloading. I try this in my model as well, but obviously the hook has only an shape, but without it's function.

[ryan_c10]

Hi @Fiona C,

Are you not able to use your previous colleague's OHAGV? That is what you're trying to do, right? I would assume that they used a custom process flow or other logic to have the crane follow along with the OHAGV and retrieve items for it. Since they were separate Task Executers, they would have to have separate commands for their movement and additional code to coordinate their movements.

[support5CRPZ]

@Fiona C The pass line can be drawn both using AGV network or Network node. Vehicle controlled way is some different between two methods.

Your hoping AGV network is OK for your solution and it has not any difficulty.

Your vehicle has two features of moving along the pass line and up/down lifting animation of some times while stopping (or loading/unloading).

I recommended not using the crane object property. Only one taskexecuter is sufficient. Because the crane object moves along the pass line while up and down hoisting by default. In general, the OHV is not moving while up and down the item.

I have not used the crane object with Process Flow. I enjoy using almost 3D objects library. I use process Flow only in a little case.

The vehicle with up/down arms animation should have three components of one body (static) and two arms animated up/down. Two arms are left and right component. Two arms only should be animated up and down in each case of loading and unloading. You should make four animations for it.

The four animations are 'Empty down', 'Loading Up', 'Loading Down' and 'Empty Up'. And you should use surrogate flow item replacing with the real flow item. The way about surrogate item can be found in Help manual of 'Creating Custom Animations' key word.

[wei_cheng_c]

Hi @David Seo , could you please advise on how to create this feature? I'm currently working on building an Overhead Hoist Transfer (OHT) module, and I was wondering if you could provide a sample model for reference. I would be very grateful for your assistance.