Magnetic tape turns up in some less familiar applications. One of them is AGV guidance, where it is used to create routes for compatible automated vehicles and mobile robots operating in warehouses, factories and other working environments.
Anchor Magnets manufactures and supplies magnetic tape for these applications, including standard and bespoke requirements. Depending on the material already in use or the requirements of a new project, this can include different widths, thicknesses, polarity, adhesive backing, roll lengths and converted formats.
This article concentrates on the part we know: the magnetic tape, the options we can provide and the information that helps us assess an enquiry.
What is magnetic tape used for in AGV guidance?
AGVs, AMRs and other autonomous mobile robots may use magnetic tape as part of their guidance system. The tape is installed along a planned route and read by compatible equipment as the vehicle moves through the working area.
Depending on the system, magnetic material may be used for:
- Continuous guidance routes
- Route changes and junctions
- Stopping positions
- Location reference points
- Defined sections of a wider installation
The precise role of the tape depends on the equipment and system design. Anchor Magnets does not supply the vehicles or guidance equipment, but we can work with the magnetic tape specification provided by the customer or equipment manufacturer.
Standard and bespoke magnetic tape
Some requirements can be met with a standard magnetic tape. Others call for a particular combination of dimensions, magnetic properties and finishing.
Anchor Magnets can manufacture bespoke magnetic extrusion in different widths and thicknesses. With more than 500 extrusion dies already available, we may have an existing profile that meets the requirement. Where a suitable die is not available, a new profile can be developed.
This can be useful when a customer needs to reproduce tape already used within an established system or requires a product that is not readily available as a standard roll.
Width and thickness
Width and thickness are two of the first details needed when assessing a magnetic tape requirement.
The correct dimensions may be recorded in a drawing, technical data sheet or equipment specification. When replacing existing tape, they may also be established from a sample.
Two tapes with the same width are not necessarily equivalent. Differences in thickness, magnetic compound or magnetisation can result in different magnetic properties. For that reason, both dimensions should be confirmed alongside any other known specification details.
Polarity and magnetisation
Polarity can form an important part of magnetic tape used for AGV guidance, route marking and location reference points.
It cannot be determined from the tape’s width or general appearance. If a particular pole arrangement is required, that needs to be identified before a suitable alternative can be proposed.
Anchor Magnets can support custom magnetisation requirements as part of its bespoke extrusion service. The best starting point is an existing specification, drawing or sample of the magnetic tape currently in use.
Any proposed material should be tested with the intended equipment before a full production quantity is ordered.
Plain or adhesive-backed tape
Magnetic tape can be supplied plain or laminated with a self-adhesive backing.
An adhesive-backed option may be required when the tape is fitted directly to a floor or another surface. In these cases, it helps to provide information about the surface finish and the conditions in which the tape will be installed.
Smooth coated floors, textured surfaces and areas exposed to dust, moisture or regular cleaning can present different bonding conditions. Proper surface preparation is also important, as dirt, oil, moisture and loose material can affect adhesion.
Testing a sample on the intended surface allows the tape and adhesive to be assessed under the conditions in which they will be used.
Rolls, cut lengths and converted parts
The required supply format will depend on the installation.
Continuous rolls may suit longer guidance routes, while defined cut lengths can be supplied for shorter sections, replacement pieces or individual reference points. Anchor Magnets can also carry out further conversion at its Sheffield site.
Available options can include:
- Specific widths and thicknesses
- Plain or adhesive-backed tape
- Custom polarity and magnetisation
- Continuous rolls
- Defined cut lengths
- Kiss-cut or die-cut parts
- Customer-specific packing
Supplying the magnetic material in the required format can reduce the amount of additional cutting or conversion needed before installation.
Replacing magnetic tape already in use
Businesses may look for an alternative magnetic tape supplier when an existing product becomes difficult to source, lead times change or a route needs to be repaired or extended.
Where possible, the replacement enquiry should include:
- The required width and thickness
- Whether the tape is plain or adhesive-backed
- Any known polarity or magnetisation requirements
- The required roll lengths or cut lengths
- The floor or surface finish
- The quantity required
- A technical data sheet, drawing or sample of the existing tape
Not every detail needs to be confirmed before contacting Anchor Magnets. If the original specification is unavailable, we can begin by reviewing the information and material you do have.
Once a proposed alternative has been identified, samples can be supplied for testing before a larger order is placed.
Magnetic tape manufactured in Sheffield
Anchor Magnets has been manufacturing and supplying magnetic tape and flexible magnetic materials in the UK for over 40 years. We are the only UK manufacturer of bespoke magnetic extrusion.
Extrusion, magnetisation, adhesive lamination, cutting and packing can all be handled at our Sheffield site. Keeping these processes in-house is particularly useful when a tape needs to be sampled, adjusted or converted to suit a particular requirement.
Once the material has been tested and approved, Anchor Magnets can also support repeat production, stockholding and call-off arrangements. This can help customers maintain a consistent specification across replacement work, route extensions and future installations.
Discuss your AGV guidance tape requirement
If your business uses magnetic tape for AGV guidance, route marking or location reference points, send us the dimensions, required quantity and any specification you already have. You can also provide a sample of the tape currently in use.
The Anchor Magnets team can review the requirement, discuss standard and bespoke manufacturing options, and arrange material for testing.
Contact Anchor Magnets about magnetic tape for AGV guidance.