• Problem: AGVs lose charge quickly, especially when carrying heavy loads or maneuvering often.
• Solution: Low-torque casters reduce rolling resistance and swivel friction — requiring less energy to move and turn, which extends battery life and reduces charging frequency.
• Solutions to Extend Battery Life Include:
  • Swivel on Swivel
  • Twergo

• Problem: Casters aren’t tracking properly, taking the AGV offline and faulting the system out.
• Solution: Swivel-on-Swivel (SoS) Technology provides AGVs with tighter tracking and increased accuracy for fewer faults.
• Shock-absorbing casters reduce vibration, providing more stability to the AGV and provide more accuracy in positioning.
  • Solutions to Help AGVs Track Properly include:
  • CasterShox
  • Spring Loaded Casters
  • Swivel on Swivel

• Pain: AGV drive motors burn out or overheat due to excess strain from caster drag and difficulty maneuvering.
• Solution: Less torque required to overcome caster resistance, less strain on the AGV’s drive motors, gearboxes, and control systems.
  • This leads to lower maintenance costs and longer operational lifespan of the AGV.
  • Low starting and swiveling force reduces mechanical load on the AGV drive system, leading to longer motor life and fewer maintenance events.
  • Maintenance free casters seal out dirt and grime for better caster performance
  • Swivel on Swivel
  • Kingpinless Maintenance Free Caster – 3,500 lb. Max Capacity

• Great for AGV’s, Tuggers, and material handling carts where high weight capacities are needed.
• All wheels rotate independently of each other and are designed to minimize rolling resistance.
• Available in two-and three-wheel configurations with a maximum load capacity of 3,500 per wheel.

• Exceptional shock absorption. Long swivel lead minimizes vibration.
• Wheels are capable of absorbing excessive side thrust loading
• Can be used in high-speed operations with a load rating of 4,000 lbs.

• Dual Swivel Sections Transfer Energy, Reduce Turning Force.
• Swivel-on-Swivel Decreases Faults by Reducing Shifting
• Innovative Design Reduces Castering Effect
• Less Caster Friction to Extend Battery Runtime

A challenge for an exploration company was lowering the force required to move conventional swivel casters during directional shifts, which was burdening the entire drive system.

An airplane manufacturer converted from tuggers to automated guided vehicles (AGV) to move large work platforms. This move increased push force, which impacted the performance of the AGVs by reducing speed and battery life.

A Tesla plant needed to safely transport a 6,500-lb. roll of material from the staging area into the production line. It demanded precise alignment with the feeding machines, which required a custom-engineered solution.

Tyler is a AGV Solutions expert with proven experience developing solutions for clients in the Heavy Equipment and agriculture industries to move more product over a given timeframe for higher productivity and profits. To set up a meeting with Tyler, click on the link below.

Jewel’s experience in industrial motion applications gives clients actionable insight and recommendations for custom caster and industrial wheel needs of any size and any quantity. To set up a meeting with Jewel, click on the link below.