Auto Industry: Standard & Custom Guardrails

Automotive

The #1 ranked automotive company in the world requested standard & custom aisle guards throughout their new factory floor print in Alabama.

Guard fencing to keep workers out of roadways where tuggers and forklifts drove. Additionally, it was used to keep a distance between autonomous robots that were being charged; along with their throughways. 

While 1760' of aisle guarding was standardized, there were 44 (950') customized guards. The custom guards surrounded unique aspects of the factory floor and human-to-robot interactions: 

• One custom section needed to encircle autonomous robotics to load and charge. While they have safety features, there is always a chance that someone may be moving too quickly; and it was an opportunity to reduce risk

• One section of the fencing had a 90-degree L-shaped turn. While walking the floor, we realized that autonomous robotic tuggers pulling parts around the floor wouldn’t be able to make the turn so we had to change it to a 45 degree turn​

• One custom frame required shorter widths and heights because we realized, after walking the floor, that the tuggers and forklifts that were backed into charging systems were lower than previous believed

• Dimensions for a robotic training center, where they trained their employees to use robots, had changed since the prints were developed. We realized it while walking the floor

Valence Industrial's engineering team procured the factory floor print to map out a 3D view of the factory and how the guarding would fit within the critical requirements, using AutoDesk.

 

Through collaborative design work & field measurements, the engineers learned how robots and humans would interact with the guards. Whether it was keeping people in or out of areas throughout the day, the team consultatively brought ways to improve the flows of interactions. 

• Reverse Engineer
• Short-Run

1. Confirm Scope
2. "Go & See" Daily Application 
3. 3D Model
4. Confirm Design
5. Manufacture Prints
6. Laser
7. Weld
8. Paint
9. Assemble
10. Prototype Evaluation

“I worked with Valence Industrial on almost two miles of standard and custom fabricated aisle guarding around our manufacturing operations in Body Weld. The Valence Engineers collaborated to confirm measurements in person against both, our floor print and additional requests made while they were here. Their engineers collaborated well and found ways to improve the specs through asking questions, hands-on reviews and listening.” -Assistant Manager, Conveyance Body Weld