Jan Louwen, Global Head of AGV and Managing Director of the Stäubli site in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, has identified its versatility as an outstanding feature of the new PF3 platform vehicle: "The PF3 is a real all-rounder. For example, it can be used to first lift Euro pallets and then move goods from A to B in production. These are strong arguments for users because they can fulfill different applications with one type of vehicle. With our solution, you are very universally positioned in the load range up to three tons."

Stäubli's requirement was to provide a compact AGV whose high payload can be fully developed even with structural hurdles and lack of space. According to the manufacturer, this was more than achieved with the PF3. With dimensions of just 1,750 x 970 x 400 millimeters, the mobile transport platform fits into the dimensions of common industrial vehicles, but at the same time impresses with a high payload of three tons.

Thanks to its standardized, scalable design combined with a wide range of possible applications, the new PF3 should indeed soon be scurrying around as a flexible all-rounder in the intralogistics and production environments of industry. Even custom applications and add-ons, such as conveyor technology, can be designed and installed independently of Stäubli thanks to the open interface. Good accessibility to components such as the batteries round off the service-friendly AGV. This means that spare parts can also be replaced within a few minutes without any downtime worth mentioning.

Safety is not neglected either. An intelligent 360-degree sensor system reliably detects both horizontal and vertical obstacles and, if necessary, ensures that the AGV stops automatically before a collision occurs. There are also five emergency stop buttons around the vehicle as a further protective measure. And with the LED bar clearly visible from all sides, the PF3 shows at a glance what the status of the vehicle is. All this, in combination with turn signals, predefined paths and fixed speeds, ensures that the PF3 also operates safely in the immediate vicinity of people whose work it is ultimately intended to facilitate. "With the automation solutions surrounding the PF3, we are giving our customers an effective answer to the shortage of skilled workers. In order for this to work well, it was important for us to also ensure a high level of acceptance among employees with the PF3," emphasizes Jan Louwen.

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