Safety measures on the AGV
Various safety measures on the AGV itself minimize the risk of collision or entrapment. For example, most of our AGVs are equipped with a safety laser scanner with at least one safety field in the direction of travel of the AGV. If this scanner detects an obstacle near the AGV - for example a person - the AGV brakes or stops driving completely. Sometimes the AGV is also equipped with a safety bumper. This bumper is equipped with a sensor, so that the AGV immediately stops if it hits something. In addition, every AGV has signaling by means of light and sound signals. As a result, the AGV makes people in its environment aware of its movements. One example is a blue spot: a lamp that shines a blue light on the floor. There are also colored lights on the AGV that indicate the status. If the green light is on, then everything is fine. If the red light is on, there is a problem and action is required.
Additional safety measures for your AGV
In addition to the standard safety measures such as a laser scanner, a bumper and blue spots, additional safety measures may have to be taken. This depends on the outcome of the risk analysis. You can think of the following measures.
- With an obstacle detection scanner, the AGV automatically detects high obstacles in the direction of the vehicle, such as a rack in a warehouse or a forklift. An obstacle detection scanner is often used in combination with a safety laser scanner.
- Sensors in the forks of your AGV Palletmover provide extra security during the docking of a pallet. With the Palletmover you can also opt for a special sensor that ensures that the AGV drives slow when the forks are high. This prevents the vehicle from falling over.
- You can opt for a sensor that checks whether the load is in the correct position on the AGV. This is particularly interesting for AGVs that pick a load that extends beyond the AGV. If the load is not properly placed on the AGV, the safety laser scanner can not do its job as well as it should. That is because that scanner scans in a certain safety field in the direction of travel of the AGV - and this includes the load.
Safety measures for the environment around the AGV
As you can read there are various safety standards with which we guarantee safety on the AGV itself. But the environment of the AGV also plays an important role. For example, it is essential that the route of the AGV is properly positioned. We can map out this route in such a way that the AGV avoids busy areas with many pedestrians and that the vehicle always keeps half a meter distance from fixed objects and people. You can also make a contribution regarding the route. We advise you to draw people’s attention to the presence of an AGV by marking the route on the floor and putting up signs. Extra attention is needed for docking positions - such as loading/unloading positions - and the charging point of the AGV, because the safety fields can be withdrawn here.
AGV safety standards in Europe
Our AGVs comply with all relevant European safety standards and regulations. As mentioned, we carry out the risk analysis according to the NEN-EN 12100 standard. This is just a standard, so we are not obliged to adhere to it, but we consciously choose to do so - for ourselves and for you as our customer. Another AGV safety standard that applies in Europe is the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC: a European directive for the machine industry regarding the safety criteria that machines must meet. All our AGVs also comply with this. And finally, all our AGVs comply with the NEN-EN-ISO 3691-4:2020 standard. This European standard contains the safety requirements for motorized transport equipment. If we can provide your organization with an AGV, you can therefore be sure that this vehicle will be delivered according to
- the NEN-EN 12100 standard;
- the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC;
- the NEN-EN-ISO 3691-4:2020 standard.
