AGV Hospitals
Transcript of AGV Hospitals
Automated Guided Vehicles Hospital Logistics
Much has changed since the first automated guided vehicles were installed in hospitals. To-day’s vehicles are more intelligent and flexible, using magnet or laser navigation to take lifts di-rectly to the wards. If required, they can commu-nicate with the control centre at any time. Also, they are equipped with sensors to recognize and identify loads. This, plus improved guidance control systems, has rekindled interest in automated guided vehi-cles (AGV) as a transport and organisational tool in hospitals, both for new projects and the mod-ernization of existing facilities.
For example, at the University Clinic of the Fried-rich-Schiller-University in Jena/Germany, an automated guided vehicle (AGV) system moves supplies and waste to and from various areas of the clinic complex, often located on different
levels. The system services the wards, kitchens, pharmacy, laundry, research departments, cafe-teria and other areas. The system uses 24 drive-under tractors with lifting platform and a total of 400 roll containers per day to transport food, medication, laundry, sterile items, medical equipment and waste. Each container displays a barcode that is read by the AGV, so that the LogOS control system, which also manages the containers, can always track the exact location of each container.
In addition to traditional tasks such as vehicle scheduling, traffic control and recording of pick-up and delivery points, the MLR guidance control systems offer new functionalities such as plan-ning and simulation, schedule and container management, communication manager, optimiz-ing transport methods, energy and maintenance management.
Automated transport of supplies and equipment
Jena Hospital Hospital Dr. Negrin Las Palmas Bamberg Hospital
Marburg Hospital Robert-Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart Akershus University Hospital
References: Robert-Bosch Hospital, Stuttgart • Bamberg Hospital • Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore • Hospital Dr. Negrin Las Palmas, Gran Canaria • University Clinic Jena • University Clinic Magdeburg • Rheinische Kliniken, Bonn • University Clinic Marburg • Akershus University Hospital Nordbyhagen, Norway • University Clinic Düsseldorf • Hospital Leopoldina Schweinfurt
New-generation control systems perform more control tasks for other relevant functional areas including more administrative tasks than ever before. This allows better networking and more secure and reliable data management. It also increases availability, productivity and ease of use, and supplies precise information on load status and system.
Simulations — an important planning tool, even after the system becomes operational Determining the number of vehicles required Optimizing route layouts Testing the effects of different schedules Testing bypass strategies Identifying surplus capacity
Schedule management — forward-looking optimizing Optimizing throughput Disposition of vehicles to be provided Disposition of containers to be transported Definition of time windows for performing the transports
Container and resource management — additional administrative tasks Goods different types of container different treatment (washing, sterilizing, etc.) Transport resources vehicles (AGV, monorail conveyor) lifts, conveyors Transport time schedules Storage areas available container storage site container identification
Communication manager — information module for efficient signalling Information on errors, interruptions, occupancy, arrival notices, etc. Transmission to telephones, pagers, mobile phones or computers via SMS, email or voice mail
Optimizing transport methods — by concentrating control tasks Availability of transport resources Number of vehicles Energy management Number and types of containers Lifts and conveyors Bypass strategies
Energy management — battery monitoring system via software module Ensuring function standby Monitoring charge state Optimizing battery capacity
Service management — for high availability Managing operating time allocation Monitoring maintenance rates
MLR System GmbH Voithstrasse 15 71640 Ludwigsburg Germany Phone +49 (0) 71 41 - 97 48-0 Fax +49 (0) 71 41 - 97 48-1 13 [email protected] www.mlr.de
MLR System GmbH Office Hamburg
Germany
MLR System GmbH Office Alsdorf
Germany
PC-based Guidance System Enables Smooth Flow of Goods