Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are increasingly used to transport parts in modern factories, but their role can go further than logistics. When combined with automated inspection systems, AGVs can improve throughput and flexibility in measurement cells.
Automated Guided Vehicles have traditionally been used to move parts from one location to another inside a factory. Instead of forklifts operated by workers, these autonomous vehicles transport components through production halls and logistics areas. Over the past years, their role has expanded significantly. In some automotive factories, products are even assembled directly on AGVs that move from station to station while operators perform their tasks.
Using AGVs to load parts into inspection systems becomes particularly valuable when large volumes of components need to be measured continuously. In these environments, manual loading can slow down the inspection process because the measurement system must stop while a worker places the next part in position. With AGVs, parts can already be prepared outside the measurement cell. As soon as one measurement cycle finishes, the next part can immediately enter the system.
One interesting concept is using AGVs not only as transport systems but also as part of the measurement setup itself. Instead of installing a fixed turntable inside the inspection cell, the AGV can bring the component into the cell, position it for measurement, rotate it if necessary, and then leave once the process is completed. While one AGV is inside the cell, other vehicles can already be waiting with the next parts.
To make this type of workflow possible, the inspection system must be able to communicate with the transport system and coordinate measurement processes. This is where software platforms such as EDAS play an important role. EDAS can orchestrate the interaction between robots, sensors, and external systems such as AGVs, ensuring that parts are measured automatically once they arrive in the inspection cell. By managing the measurement sequence and coordinating different devices, EDAS enables a seamless workflow where transport and inspection operate as one connected process.
In automated inspection environments, part handling is just as important as transport. Instead of designing a dedicated fixture for every component, universal fixture concepts such as the Virtual Clamping from Witte Barskamp allow manufacturers to adapt the clamping system to different parts. Adjustable fixture systems can be configured automatically for different geometries, which reduces the number of dedicated fixtures required.
Before an AGV can operate autonomously, it must first learn the environment where it will move. During this process, the vehicle scans the production hall and identifies reference points that allow it to determine its position. Cameras, scanners, or other sensors are typically used to create a digital representation of the surroundings. This step is similar to building a digital twin of the environment and ensures that the AGV can navigate safely through the factory without collisions.
One challenge with AGV navigation is that the system relies heavily on these reference points. If the layout of the factory changes frequently, the AGV may struggle to recognize the environment and determine its position. Even relatively small changes can affect navigation if the vehicle loses the visual or spatial references it uses for orientation.
Another challenge appears when AGVs are used directly inside inspection cells. While these vehicles are very effective at navigating through factories, their positioning and rotational accuracy may not always meet the requirements of high precision measurement processes. Metrology systems often require the part to be positioned very precisely before scanning or inspection can begin. When AGVs are used for loading, additional alignment strategies may be required to ensure the component is correctly positioned for measurement.
Autonomous transport systems are becoming more common across modern production environments. AGVs already play an important role in industries such as automotive manufacturing, and their integration with automated inspection systems is expected to grow as factories pursue higher levels of automation. At the same time, new technologies such as humanoid robots are beginning to appear in industrial environments.
