Abstract:
The objectives of this study were to analyze the economic suitability and return on investment between the use of operator controlled and the AGV forklifts for handling materials in manufacturing plants. Due to cost reduction program in the factory, the costs of forklift drivers, fuel and maintenance must be reduced. Therefore, three sets of CDDK 25-AGV with the AGV Software Management system were installed to replace two operator controlled forklifts. The life span of the project was 10 years. The economic suitability and return on investment periods were examines for the program of using the AGV forklifts. The cost of investment and equipment was 5,659,37.00 baht, which could reduce the cost of drivers, fuel, and maintenance per year of 1,430,251.00 baht. After considering engineering economics, the internal rate of return (IRR) was 23.99% with a return on investment periods of 3.98 years, which was cost-effective for investment.
Keywords: AGV (automated guided vehicle), Forklift as a driver required, the manufacturing industry, economic analysis and comparison.