Upgrade ensures continued efficient production of rock drill steel.

Alleima RDS AB, formerly known as Sandvik Materials, acquired its first customized Solving automated guided vehicles, AGVs, in 2009 and currently has a total of five identical units. These 15-meter-long AGVs have been utilized in the production of long drill rods ever since to reduce lead times for customers.

The AGVs collect drill rods from a pickup table and transport them to the designated cutting machine where they are cut to the ordered length, after which they deliver the finished packages to the dispatch area. Although the AGVs are robust, mechanical parts wear out over time, and control system components need to be upgraded to ensure the AGVs continue to operate smoothly and to maintain the availability of spare parts.

Built to last

Given that the AGVs are robust and built to withstand industrial environments, upgrading was a more cost-effective option for Alleima than a completely new investment. It was also crucial for Alleima to keep production running without interruption, so they chose to send one or two units at a time to Solving for upgrading. Today, all five AGVs have undergone a thorough upgrade.

“We feel very satisfied with the reception, planning, and execution of this upgrade, and above all, that we have secured our flow for many years to come”, says Linus Grip, Production Technician at Alleima RDS AB.

Scope of the upgrade

The upgrade included the replacement of drive units, support wheels, vehicle controller, laser scanners, and operator panels, including programming of vehicle controller and operator panels. Equipment for remote contact was also installed for faster troubleshooting. In conjunction with the commissioning of the AGVs, maintenance and operator training were conducted to ensure continued safe operation. The exterior of the AGVs was not renovated.

Alleima’s AGV fleet also includes two wire-guided AGVs, and in the autumn, the control system of these units will be upgraded as well. After that, the entire AGV fleet will be updated for several more years of use.

“As usual when we work with Solving, everything goes smoothly to the extent expected, and it is always enjoyable to undertake projects with you as a company”, concludes Linus Grip.