Pilz: The solution for the safe operation of AGVs

As one of the core equipment of smart factory logistics, automatic guided vehicles (AGVs) play an increasingly important role in the factory logistics automation system. They travel through the warehouse and complete the handling task efficiently, which brings great convenience to production, but also has certain safety risks. The standard for the safe application of AGVs can be referred to ISO 3691-4.

At present, the recommended configuration for the safe operation of AGVs is: safety scanner, safety analysis unit (i.e. safety controller) and industrial firewall.

Pilz: The solution for the safe operation of AGVs

　　The production hall is in full swing: components, materials on packaging machines and pallets in the warehouse must arrive on time. Traditional AGV systems are rail-based, similar to trains or trams, and follow a predetermined route. Free-roaming vehicles, so-called autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), operate on more flexible routes. Working with people, safety must be the first priority in this dynamic environment, regardless of the type of AGV system. So, how can you ensure productivity and safety for mobile robots?

Modular security solutions

The complexity of an AGV system increases with its capabilities, and modular safety solutions increase the productivity of the application. Rail-mounted AGV systems must be able to maintain a defined warning and safety zone according to their own speed, and can be stopped in the event of an obstacle. Pilz's safety laser scanner PSENscan is up to the task of this type of safety protection, monitoring the production area and preventing collisions that could lead to hazards. If the emergency stop function needs to be covered, a more flexible solution is available, including the PSENscan scanner and the modular safety relay myPNOZ.

　　More safe areas

The safety functions of such systems are further complicated by the fact that the freely navigating mobile platform can autonomously navigate around obstacles or people without stopping. The safety laser scanner constantly "scans" the surroundings and the relevant data is read out directly from the ROS (Robot Operating System) software package of PSENscan, which the user can use to create a map of the environment for navigation using their SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) algorithms.

Up to 70 protective zones can be set up with PSENscan, which can be dynamically adjusted: when the AGV is running at high speeds, the corresponding protective area is also larger so that obstacles can be detected and measures can be taken in a timely manner, and when the AGV is running slowly, its protective area is also relatively reduced to avoid stagnation as much as possible. In this way, the AGV can move more efficiently. The configurable small controller PNOZmulti with speed monitoring module (an extension module for motion monitoring) enables the selection of the appropriate safety protection area very reliably.

The industrial firewall makes it impossible for illegal manipulation to start

AGV systems often need to communicate wirelessly with the main controller on the production floor where they are located, which makes them vulnerable to external attacks or manipulation, and if proper measures are not taken, AGV system map data can be tampered with, and in the worst case, it can lead to the stagnation of the AGV system and the entire production.

　　Pilz's proposed industrial security system solves this problem well, and the industrial firewall SecurityBridge can ensure that unauthorized parties cannot access their internal IT network during the operation of the AGV, realizing the integration of mechanical security and industrial information security for mobile platforms.

Pilz: The solution for the safe operation of AGVs

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