Packaging firm uses automated tow tractor for long-haul trash removal. Photo: Seegrid Corp

Rapidly expanding converter American Packaging Corp (APC) is using vision-guided automated guided vehicles (AGV) alongside traditional materials handling equipment.

Robotic industrial truck developer Seegrid Corp, of Pittsburgh, has supplied the flexible packaging laminations manufacturer with four GP8 pallet trucks and one GT10 tow tractor.

Bob Teuscher, finishing manager in APC's flexographic division's Story City, Iowa plant, says APC has found the Seegrid units reliable and dependable but, in one situation, decided it needed to widen the field of vision to accommodate large materials. "We needed to modify the sensor that detects if something is in its way."

APC in Story City uses automated equipment to move materials around the plant. Teuscher says the facility's first AGV pallet truck went into service in August 2010, and a second in August 2011. The tow tractor began operations in March.

The Des Moines, Iowa branch of Torrance Inc, a Seegrid distributor, recommended the GT10 tow tractor to APC primarily to enhance safety in moving heavy cylinder carts to printing presses and relocating waste carts.

The Story City facility employs 175 people and uses five Yale sitdown forklifts and 13 pallet stackers. Flexographic division employees were redeployed to tasks other than moving materials.

The rotogravure division's Columbus, Wisconsin, plant began using two AGV pallet trucks in January 2012. John Smick, finishing manager, says: "They have been great. We reassigned our forklift drivers. Now, they are more like warehouse managers. We did not need to hire people to move the rolls."

The Columbus location employs 250 people and operates six Caterpillar forklifts, two Cat units and one Hyster unit with roll-grab attachments, and 20 electric and manual pallet jacks.

Rochester-based privately owned APC specialises in flexographic and rotogravure printing, multi-ply extrusion, and adhesive lamination of film, paper and foil. Across its three locations, APC has invested more than USD150 million for capital equipment and facility upgrades over seven years.