Cable Transport at Ericsson Cables

Ericsson Cables saved space and eliminated expensive transport damage.

There are various motives for investing in automated transports. Usually, it is to eliminate expensive and monotonous transport procedures. The primary motive of Ericsson Cables was to eliminate very expensive internal transport damage to cables, and to improve organisation for an expansion in production.

Ericsson Cables is a company in the processing industry which manufactures medium voltage cables.

The finished cables are wound onto large wooden or steel drums, and the weight of a complete drum can be up to 10–12 tonnes.

Previously, the drums were handled between the production stations and stor-age areas with counter-weight trucks. The transports were cumbersome and often dangerous, and the damage inflicted on the cables could result in the scrapping of complete drums.

AGV – a completely new resource

The new laser controlled AGV serves a production area with 14 machine stations and 92 storage areas, where each storage area contains 4 unique drum positions. The transports are requested from 7 order terminals. Through each terminal the drive orders are entered into the AGV computer memory, which creates an order priority.

The number of storage places for the drums has been reduced thanks to the way in which the AGV grips the drums. The storage places are stored in the computer, which enables flexible positioning with full control.

The AGV is a new resource in the process. It is much more efficient than traditional truck handling and can navigate through areas which were impossible for the counter-weight trucks with their big loads. The result is an improvement of the organisation and zero scrapping as a result of transport damage. The necessary area for expansion has been created by improved utilisation of storage and handling.

Somewhat unexpectedly the dangerous stress levels which existed previously have also been eradicated. Previously the method of calling for trucks often followed the “law of the jungle”, while the AGV has a drive speed of approx. 1 metre per second and can easily handle transports 7 days a week.

Successive expansion

The organised flow has resulted in a reduction of the actual transport time and there are now plans to expand the transport area. This is possible thanks to the navigation system Lazerway®. New transport routes and handling positions are added to the CAD drawing. Today there are 7 order terminals used by some 40 persons. Both the number of terminals and the number of authorised “transport personnel” can easily be expanded.

AGV and safety

Safety has been an important factor and the introduction of the AGV has resulted in a dramatic reduction of accidents. Safety sensors, bumpers, and audio signals safeguard the AGV transports. Trucks, pedestrians, and AGVs can share the available area with ease.