Innovation is on the move in today’s warehouses and distribution centers, where automated guided vehicles (AGVs) are transforming how products or materials get from one place to another. Infinity Machine and Engineering Corp.’s growing fleet of AGVs is powering automation across North America.
AGVs are increasingly a necessity for efficient, productive operations, emerging as an advanced set of “smart hands” to navigate floors, move inventory and streamline operations. Infinity Machine in De Pere expanded its warehouse automation offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic in response to inquiries from customers who already purchase their machines to package toilet paper, paper towels and napkins. Not even a year later, they delivered, says Ryan Crabb, robotics and autonomy product manager at Infinity Machine.
“When [customers] call, we answer, and we do everything we can to service them,” says Crabb. “We really listen to the customer and engineer solutions. That’s where we really shine.”
Infinity’s AGVs are redefining efficiency, offering a glimpse into the future of logistics where software, sensors and self-driving systems work in sync. The company’s seven AGV options range from forklift vehicles to roll clamp vehicles to a vehicle known as “Fetch.” Collectively, they allow customers to have their entire packaging, end-of-line and warehouse processes completed by integrated Infinity machinery.
The incorporation of AGVs into business is becoming increasingly common, especially with labor shortages.
“An AGV can stack pallets way more accurately than a forklift driver, so product damage is far less. They don’t take breaks or vacations. But they do create jobs for the people who maintain AGVs: good, electrical jobs,” Crabb says.
While most of these AGVs operate in the tissue sector, they’re designed to work in other industries, such as food and beverage, and can be customized.
“We’ve had requests to move unique products,” Crabb says. “If that means making a specific attachment [to make it work], we’ll try it.”
