SWISSLOG LOGISTICS

Complexities of AGV Modeling in Newspaper Roll Delivery System
by Daniel J. Muller
Applied Materials
Collegeville, PA

Sarah M. Cardinal
Applied Materials
Marietta, GA

This paper first appeared in the 2002 Winter Simulation Conference Proceedings

Abstract
Swisslog Logistics Inc., a leader in Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) technologies, proposed to update a major Northeastern newspaper company's AGV press delivery system. The project requirements included the development of a simulation model to confirm the proposed vehicle quantity and controls as well as evaluate the performance of the AGV system in response to press changeovers, peak production, and weekly production scenarios.

The model provided Swisslog and its customer with the capabilities to evaluate dynamic vehicle scheduling, task priorities, press changeover requirements, vehicle routings and battery charging logic. This paper shall present the concepts and techniques used to model the detailed AGV components necessary to successfully meet the project's objectives.