LGV and AGV technology: greater efficiency with lithium batteries

Various types of technology can be used in company handling machinery, such as LGVs and AGVs, depending on the specific needs. Of course, safe, flexible technology, such as lithium batteries, is the best choice in the automated logistics and robotised palletisation sectors. In fact, next-gen automatic warehouses that use LGVs and AGVs require reliable, high-quality, fast and flexible technologies.

LGVs –laser guided vehicles– and AGVs -Automated Guided Vehicle- are the main technologies produced by Elettric80, a multinational specialised in developing automated solutions for companies that produce consumer goods, in particular in the food, beverage and tissue sectors.

In 2012, attracted by the advantages which lithium accumulators can offer, Elettric80 approached the world of LiFePO4 batteries and decided to rely on several lithium battery manufacturers.

However, the solutions they offered were not satisfactory. And this is where Flash Battery came into play.

Soon, a sales visit convinced Elettric80 to give Flash Battery a try.

The technical expertise shown by the team from this Reggio Emilia company and the potential of the Flash Balancing System for managing and monitoring the battery status convinced the two owners of E80. Grassi and Cavirani therefore decided to “volunteer” to test the efficiency and functions of the first Flash Battery lithium battery packs.

This made in Italy industrial lithium battery underwent a real test which saw two Flash Battery batteries used in 2 LGVs at a Canadian facility with cold storage warehouses at -30°C. These extreme temperature conditions caused other manufacturers’ lithium batteries problems during operation.

While given the positive outcome of the electric-powered solutions offered by Flash Battery, another 3 lithium batteries were immediately installed at an Italian plant that makes desserts.

The performance of the Flash Battery batteries guaranteed excellent efficiency on the LGVs/AGVs and the feedback was very positive.

In late 2013, Elettric80 commissioned Flash Battery to supply lithium batteries for a new automated warehouse with 29 LGVs. While in the first few months of 2014, the first plant completely based on lithium technology was built.

“The decision to entrust the supply to Flash Battery was not easy because if there were any problems with the plant, we would have compromised the entire factory, in addition to losing millions of euros”, said Vittorio Cavirani. “But Flash Battery technology, which eliminates maintenance costs and allows us to monitor the status of the batteries remotely, undoubtedly guaranteed our customer greater efficiency on the LGVs and AGVs.”

The first plant fully converted to Flash Battery industrial batteries was then followed by many others. In fact, another series of all-lithium chain plants was shortly installed, and in 2014, Elettric80 began the complete switch having decided to completely remove lead-acid batteries from all their facilities.

As of beginning of 2024, Flash Battery lithium batteries are currently used in 4,152 LGVs spread across 42 countries and monitored on a daily basis by the Flash Battery headquarters.

Flash Battery Srl makes Flash Battery lithium battery packs in various versions for Elettric80, each one specifically designed to be compatible with special LGV and AGV technology. For example, among the most special and high-performance ones, we have lithium accumulators that can operate in temperatures down to -30°C.

In addition to designing and providing ultra-efficient technology with special features, here at Kaitek, we develop targeted solutions to meet the needs of Elettric80 customers and, once our electric-powered battery packs have been installed on LGVs and AGVs, we provide support for managing these batteries.

Generally speaking, by choosing to rely on Flash Battery rechargeable lithium batteries, Elettric80 has chosen to guarantee greater efficiency for the entire plant and to eliminate all problems connected to conventional batteries, including:

• high costs of maintenance
• low energetic efficiency
• limit of charge
• short battery life

This is also why we can say that the partnership between Flash Battery and Elettric80, based on the installation of batteries for electric vehicles that can improve LGV and AGV technology, has been a success.