Inductive charging for AGVs

Stäubli WFT has chosen Wiferion’s etaLINK 3000 inductive charging system to recharge the batteries of its AGV robots, which allows them to be powered with non-contact energy even during short stops. The solution is characterized by omnidirectional approachability of the charging points and absence of maintenance.

Whether in production or logistics, the automated guided vehicles (AGV) from Stäubli WFT ((https://www.staubli-wft.com/) are used in almost all industries. In order to guarantee its customers more efficient logistics processes, the technology group has entered into a partnership with Wiferion ((https://www.wiferion.com/en/) as the exclusive supplier of inductive charging technology. In future, all autonomous vehicles from Stäubli WFT will be available with the etaLINK 3000 series inductive battery charging system. By integrating the wireless charging solution into its systems, the AGV expert is reacting to the increasing customer demand for intelligent charging concepts.

The company’s AGV solutions are designed for the heaviest loads of up to 500 t and are extremely mobile. The patented, efficient drive technology of the vehicles enables omnidirectional mobility and thus more flexibility and optimum energy efficiency. In order to be able to offer its customers more flexible designs of its solutions, Stäubli WFT relies on the inductive battery charging systems from Wiferion.

Omnidirectional approachability and maintenance-free

With the etaLINK 3000 from Wiferion, the AGVs from Stäubli WFT can be supplied with energy without contact, even during short stops. The charging process starts fully automatically within one second with 3 kW power and an efficiency of 93 %. Downtimes outside the process due to charging phases are completely eliminated, enabling 24/7 operation. In addition, the omnidirectional approachability of the charging points as well as the robustness and maintenance-free nature of the charging solutions are decisive factors for integration into the AGV.