For the majority of applications, FMC Technologies recommends laser guidance. Systems utilizing laser navigation and FMC Technologies' Layout Wizard offer the ultimate in system flexibility. Vehicle guide paths can be changed, pickup and dropoff points added, and the system expanded, quickly and easily. All without the cost and interruption to production caused by drilling/cutting the floor while installing wire, magnets, passive tags/targets, etc.

A laser scanner mounted on top of the vehicle provides navigation throughout the facility. The laser scanner strobes the plant, sensing reflective wall targets mounted at intervals on the wall. Once two or more targets are located, the vehicle is able to identify and update the vehicles' current location using a triangulation algorithm in the control software. This control software also directs additional calculations to plot the vehicle's course on its way to the next pick or drop location. The FMC Technologies navigation system also utilizes a secondary navigational system known as dead reckoning. Dead reckoning includes odometer and angle reading of the drive wheel and provides confirmation of the vehicle's location, increasing navigation accuracy.

FMC Technologies has over 10 years of experience utilizing Laser Guidance Navigation Systems on guided vehicles. These vehicles have logged over 1000 vehicle-years operating experience.

The laser scanner rotates at several revolutions per second and features a direct drive motor with no belts to maintain or fail. Optics have been incorporated to provide a vertical fan which spreads the beam and increases the ability to retrieve the signal reliably. All slip rings have been eliminated to ensure reliable power/signal connections. The laser utilized is an infrared, class 1 laser and is extremely safe for continuous use.

The algorithm which calculates the vehicle position is updated numerous times per second.

The result is an extremely reliable and accurate navigation tool. It provides ....

... maximum value - minimizes installation time, no floor modifications are necessary, less targets are required