A single STV - a specialized automatic guided vehicle (AGV), which was customized for Zhone's purposes, runs back and forth over a straight stretch of track only 72 ft long. Equipped with a roller conveyor deck, the STV delivers configured systems to work station test cells and later moves them on to their next destination.

"Based on past experiences with similar applications using conveyor based delivery systems, we determined that an STV would better accommodate the spikes in our production volume and eliminate the inherent bottlenecks common with conveyors," says John Friedl, senior manufacturing engineer.

This STV system also provides, he adds, "more robust routing of our configured products by handling all transactions through software control." Thus, there's no need for bar code scanners or similar automatic data capture methods for tracking the location of work-in-process. The STV carries only a single load and this system's software then monitors what's aboard specifically, where it goes in the facility, and when transactions take place.

This semi-automated handling system was completing a final debug phase late last year. But thus far the system has provided many benefits, including improved ergonomics, improved material flow, and real-time work-in-progress reports.

This handling system, adds Friedl, "has exceeded our capacity expectations throughout a rigorous test and evaluation period." Handling time by technicians is "greatly reduced," he says, and there's increased efficiency in testing procedures.

For a comprehensive review of this project, contact FloStor for a reprint of the original Modern Materials Handling Magazine feature article.