Wire Guidance Services

We are the cleanest, most professional crew in the area.

Planning

A blueprint of the proposed rack installation should be provided to best determine the layout of the wire guidance system.
Blueprints can be faxed or e-mailed, preferably in Autocad format.
A blueprint will help determine:
- The amount of linear feet to be installed.
- The location of line driver.
- The total number of aisles to be guided.

Wire Installation

In the middle of the working aisle a small groove is cut. A flexible and durable wire is embedded in the floor and sealed with epoxy. The wire is installed as a loop with a connection to the LDU “Line Driver Unit” which sends a low voltage RF frequency through this loop. Antenna mounted on the vehicle utilize this magnetic field and steer the vehicle along its path.

Advantages:

Additional floor clearance without guide rollers – beneficial on uneven floors
Larger systems tend to be more cost effective with wire guidance – NO additional bottom rack level to compensate for the floor guide rails
NO mechanical stress on vehicle or floor structures (rails)
Floor level storage without rail interference or structural compensation (raise floor level or install lower rack shelf level)
Increased flexibility to change the layout – wire can stay in the floor simply cut new path disconnect area or aisle not to be used
Reduced overall system installation times
Adaptable to full automation

Wire Guidance

VNA Applications

Wire Guidance is based on the fact that a wire conductor through which a signal is flowing, will create an electromagnetic field around itself. The field is strongest at the conductor and it’s magnitude decreases as it radiates out. A line driver dispatches the signal to the wire installed in the floor. The electromagnetic field is the generated around the wire (conductor). A guide antenna located on the underside of the vehicle contains two coils positioned to be an either side of the embedded wire. The electromagnetic field passes through the coils and induces an electric voltage across the coil ends. The voltage can be detected across the termination of the coil and is proportional to the strength of the field. The difference in electric voltage between the two coils will, after amplification, send a signal to the steering motor of the lift truck.

Basic Wiring Requirements

Typically installation of the wire is located down the center of each aisle to be guided and extends a minimum of 15 feet beyond both ends of the racking when possible.
The wire starts at the line driver and goes down the center of each aisle requiring guidance and terminated back at the line driver.
This installation creates a continuous loop of wire for the signal to run through.
Two guide wires located in the same aisle must be a min. of 30-36” apart based on truck manufacturer.
A guidance system will always have an even number of lines installed to create a closed continuous loop.

Floor Specification

The following criteria should be utilized with a narrow aisle forklift system:

Floors should meet or exceed a minimum of an F – 50 “FACE floor rating”
The sub floor should be capable of supporting the racks and rolling loads
Floor joints should run parallel to the working aisle under the rack structure. If unavoidable the floor joints should cross the working aisle perpendicular and when possible outside of the working aisle only.
A lift truck can operate on practically any floor, although floor related problems can affect the truck performance.
Poor floor surfaces can consist of:
- Excessive floor cracks
- Slab heaving
- General high/low unevenness

Scheduling

It is recommended that the wire guidance is scheduled after the rack has been installed and bolted in place.
The aisles to be wire guided, along with 15ft beyond end of racking, should be free and clear of any obstructions.
The facility should have adequate lighting and ambient temperature, (minimum of 50 degrees).
There must be a water tap on site with sufficient volume and pressure.
There must be a location at the site for the pouring off of the cutting and cleaning water. If that is not feasible, other arrangements will need to be made with Trueline.

NEW Wire Guidance Installation

Installation of wire in the floor for wire guided vehicles
Provide all electric equipment and outdoor generator if required for the installation
Rewiring of old or improperly installed wire guidance systems with new double jacketed wire
Provide colored epoxy on any installation
Provide and install line drivers for most wire guided truck types

NEW AGV Wire Guidance Installations