KUKA Data Cable X20 X30 15m 00-104-285

Mobile freedom with AGVs: Material transport in dynamic environments

The KUKA Mobile Platform KMP 600-S diffDrive opens up new avenues and provides greater flexibility for production intralogistics.

As an automated guided vehicle (AGV) with a payload of up to 600 kilograms, the KMP 600-S diffDrive needs no safety fencing,

so it enables maximum freedom of movement for employees.

Laser scanners mounted at the front and rear provide maximum safety and allow for high speeds in all directions of travel when cycle times require it.

This HRC-capable vehicle operates flexibly and safely in human operators’ work environment.

AGV advantages for in-house logistics

AGVs automatically bring required goods and raw materials to the right place at the right time.

They take on physically demanding transportation tasks, and use comprehensive safety technology

so they can share passageways with human operators and conventional industrial trucks.

With camera-based 3D object detection, they integrate seamlessly into existing production environments.

The KMP 600-S diffDrive also can expand with 3D object detection for autonomous detection of

obstacles from 50 mm to 2.1 m above the ground. At the same time,

the KMP 600-S diffDrive is ideally equipped for the tough everyday environment of industrial production.

Its IP 54 design always enables it to work reliably even under adverse conditions – including water spray and dust.

The initial situation

The VW Amarok is popular all over the world. The vehicle’s ladder frame plays a major role in ensuring safe off-road driving.

As the central component between the body and the chassis, it guarantees the necessary stability.

In the past, Volkswagen AG Commercial Vehicles contracted a competitor of Gestamp in Argentina to produce the frames,

which were largely manufactured manually. In June 2014.

to accommodate growing demand while ensuring product quality,

Gestamp Umformtechnik Bielefeld took over fully automated production of the ladder frame for the VW production facility in Hanover, which serves Europe and neighboring markets.

KUKA is also responsible for the entire friction stir welding

In friction stir welding or FSW welding, a rotating, pin-like tool is guided between the contact surfaces of the component.

The frictional heat causes the material to plasticize, and the parts are joined together.

Even difficult-to-weld or dissimilar materials such as aluminum can be welded together with magnesium, copper, or steel.

This process consumes less energy and material and does not require shielding gas or flux cored wire as in conventional processes.