Absolute encoders keep aircraft part production moving smoothly

As a producer of automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for transporting airplane modules during the production process, AIT demands absolute precision. For that reason, their customer-specific heavy-load AGVs measure steering angles using AHM36 CANopen absolute encoders from SICK on each individual wheel. Likewise, HighLine wire draw encoders are also used for the height detection of telescopic pillars.

AGVs produced by AIT are used around the world by various airplane manufacturers. Each vehicle weighs up to 40 tonnes on its own and is capable of transporting loads of up to 60 tonnes. They have up to 12 completely rotatable wheels, each of which must be closely monitored as they transport airplane parts across the factory floor. Running these vehicles in tandem, weights and number of wheels controlled are doubled.

To achieve this, AIT relies on AHM36 CANopen absolute encoders from SICK. They are installed near the wheels on the AGV. Their space-saving and cost-effective design – just 36 millimeters in diameter – and simple rotatable male connector made installation simple and easy. Thanks to their rugged, fully magnetic sensors, the encoders can also handle any bumps and scrapes that may occur.

The encoders on AIT AGVs detect the position and angle of each wheel as the machine navigates the production hall, as well as provide feedback on the wheel angles, making it possible to know where the wheels are pointing when steering. What’s more, the intelligent diagnostic functions evaluate maintenance intervals for the entire system. There are many different iterations of the vehicle itself, customized for each customer to best fit their production settings and needs. As such, SICK offers a flexible solution that works with all of them.

And that’s not the only way SICK supports AIT with its sensors. When the pillars lift the cradle carrying the part of the airplane that is being transported, AIT also utilizes SICK’s HighLine wire draw encoders – a modular linear measuring system with a wide selection of interfaces and measuring lengths (between 2 and 60 meters). They are particularly rugged, making them a durable and reliable solution for use in harsh conditions. They are quick and easy to install and cost little to integrate and maintain. AIT uses these wire draw encoders to monitor elevation capabilities of its AGVs.

“Each vehicle has four lift points, so it’s critical that we have an accurate reading at all times,” says Niclas Nyman, electrical engineer at AIT. “These are huge loads – sometimes up to 60 tonnes – so if you start deviating on one side, the weight shifts very quickly.”

AIT shares a close relationship with SICK, having been a customer for over ten years. In addition to encoders, AIT also makes use of SICK scanners and lasers. The company’s many different vehicles require a lot of different variations of encoder and vehicle pairings, which SICK is happy to provide. The absolute encoders with CANopen interface are not only reliable, they are also particularly easy to implement with the machinery. The programmable parameterization of the encoder makes it very easy to adapt to different applications and tasks. Mobile vehicles such as AGVs are a key industry for SICK, and one it will continue to support with highly accurate sensor technology that is suitable for almost all conditions. Likewise, the cooperation with AIT will continue in future, with both businesses growing closer.

Read more

Read more

Read more