In the post-finishing workshop, the full cage carts of linens produced by the folding machines rely entirely on workers to push and pull them back and forth.
The workshop is hot and the work is strenuous. Moving cage carts is heavy manual labor, making it difficult to recruit and even harder to retain workers, resulting in high staff turnover. Wages and social security costs continue to rise, and labor costs are eating into profit margins every year. Manual pushing of cage carts easily causes linen collisions and damage; when there is a shortage of manpower, the production line finishes folding, but the cage carts cannot be transferred in time, forcing the entire line to wait for materials and halt production.
Now, this AGV Intelligent Transport Cage Cart solution is specifically designed to solve the pain point of cage cart transfer in the post-finishing section of laundry factories, freeing workers from the heavy labor of pulling cage carts!
How does it work?
- Standby at the starting point and departs upon receiving an order;
- The AGV automatically slides under the bottom of the linen-loaded cage cart and lifts it up;
- Carrying the full cage of linens, it runs automatically and transports it to the target location;
- After lowering the cage cart, the unloaded AGV automatically returns to the starting point to stand by, repeating this cycle continuously.
The principle in one sentence: The AGV slides under the cage cart → automatically lifts it → transports the entire cart → lowers it at the destination → returns empty.
Why does it dare to run in a laundry workshop?
Laundry workshops have linen lint, steam, and people walking back and forth. These six points are the key to whether it can be successfully implemented.
· Fully Unmanned: Replaces manual cage cart transportation, saving effort and labor.
· Retrofit-Free Deployment: No magnetic strips, no tracks; ready to use upon arrival.
· Precise Docking: Slides under the cart and lifts automatically with precise positioning.
· Flexible Routing: Adjustable waypoints to adapt to production line changes.
· Safe and Reliable: Automatic sensing and obstacle avoidance for safe human-machine coexistence.
· Multi-AGV Collaboration: Multiple units operate in tandem and automatically recharge without interruption.
Two Types of AGVs to Suit Different Workshop Scenarios
Latent (Underride) Transport AGV
With a low-profile body, it slides under the bottom of the cage cart and automatically lifts it to transport the fully loaded linens.
· Suitable for carriers with accessible bottoms, such as cage carts and material racks.
· Low-profile body with a small turning radius and minimal aisle footprint.
Column-Type Transport AGV
With a column structure, the sensing units are positioned higher, making it suitable for multi-point docking between production lines.
· Sensing units are arranged at the top of the column for better obstacle-avoidance visibility.
· Suitable for narrow aisles and multi-point reciprocating docking.
Looking One Step Up · The Cart-Loading Stage Doesn't Necessarily Have to Be Manual Either
What the AGV solves is "how to transport after loading." Moving one step further upstream is "how to load":
· Automatic Cart-Loading Operation: Installed at the exit of the folding machine or sorting machine, it automatically completes the gripping, stacking, and cart-loading of linen stacks.
· Folding + Cart-Loading Complete Solution: Forms a "folding + cart-loading" complete solution with the folding machine, achieving full-line automation in the post-finishing stage.
Visible Benefits for Customers
2-3 workers
Replaced in the post-finishing stage.
Cart loading and cage cart transfer no longer require manual handling.
1 year
Investment payback period under a one-shift system.
Varies with production line configuration and labor costs.
Summary
Automation is not about blindly investing in equipment, but about freeing workers from repetitive and heavy cage cart pushing and pulling, and spending money where a return on investment is visible.
If you would also like to evaluate a post-finishing automation upgrade plan for your laundry factory, please feel free to consult us. We can provide a customized plan calculation based on your workshop layout, production capacity, and labor conditions!
