Inter-loop Stocker Automated Material Handling Systems

Inter-loop Stocker 자동 물류시스템

Less researches on AGV(Automated Guided Vehicle) path configurations have been conducted so far while more studies have been placed in determining AGV guide path directions and pick-up/drop-off station locations, and routing/dispatching/scheduling strategies. In practice plenty of concerns fall in preventing deadlock and simplifying AGV system control through an appropriate AGV path configuration. In order to meet those requirements, a new AGV path configuration, inter-loop stocker type is introduced here. The stocker serves as relaying material between loops as well as stocking material. Automated material handling systems using AGVs play an important role in semiconductor industry including TFT LCD and memory/non-memory chip. A practical example of implementing the inter-loop stocker concept successfully in the TFT LCD fab is presented in this paper.