A hybrid modelling approach to the design of an AGV-based material handling system for an FMS

The problem of organizing and controlling the material handling activity in an AGV-based material handling system for a flexible manufacturing system involves several decisions such as the number of vehicles required for the system, the layout of the tracks, the dispatching rules for the vehicles and the provision of control zones and buffers. This paper demonstrates the use of a two-stage approach for solving the problem. The required number of vehicles is estimated using an analytical model in the first stage. In the next stage, the effects of AGV failures and AGV dispatching rules on the system performance are observed through simulation studies based on which the AGV dispatching rule can be chosen.