When you’re moving 80-ton steel coils in a hot, noisy, and interference-heavy plant, the last thing you need is automation that can’t handle the environment. Avon Engineering’s heavy-duty Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are engineered from the ground up for the realities of steel mills and service centers, delivering reliability, safety, and precision where it matters most.
Heavy-Duty by Design
Avon AGVs are purpose-built for rugged steel applications. Key capabilities include:
- Massive load handling – from 25 to 100 tons, single or dual coils
- Continuous operation – designed for 24/7 duty cycles without compromise
- Harsh condition resilience – engineered to perform in dust, heat, and electromagnetic interference
- Precise navigation – built for tight layouts and challenging plant spaces
From bay-to-bay coil transfers to staging for shipping, these workhorses are designed to keep production flowing without downtime.
LiDAR Navigation: Precision Meets Reliability
Many plant managers worry that automation won’t survive the unpredictability of a steel mill. Avon eliminates that concern with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) navigation, paired with vision sensors to scan the environment in real time. That means:
- High-accuracy navigation even in complex, changing layouts
- No embedded floor wires to install, replace, or repair
- Seamless route adjustments for operational flexibility
- Reliable performance even in high-interference environments
With Avon, you get pinpoint precision and robust performance where lesser systems fail.
Power Options to Match Your Workflow
Different operations demand different power strategies. Avon offers:
- Battery-electric – clean, efficient, and quiet for indoor operations
- Propane-powered – ideal for high-duty cycles with quick refueling
Your AGV powertrain is matched to your throughput goals and operating constraints.
Designed by Steel Industry Veterans
With more than 40 years serving steel mills and heavy industry, Avon Engineering doesn’t just deliver automation, we engineer solutions to meet the real-world challenges of steel production. Our equipment portfolio includes coil grabs, upenders, transfer cars, and AGVs, built with OSHA compliance, ergonomics, and uptime in mind.
Safety Engineered
Every Avon AGV is designed with operator and facility safety as a top priority. Standard features include:
- Multi-layer obstacle detection
- Emergency stop systems
- Fail-safe navigation protocols
- Compliance with ANSI/ITSDF B56.5 and OSHA safety standards
These built-in safeguards ensure maximum productivity with minimal risk.
End-to-End Partnership
Choosing Avon means more than purchasing equipment. You gain a partner. We support you every step of the way with:
- Custom engineering for your exact application
- On-site installation support/supervision and operator training
- Direct engineer-to-engineer support
When you call, you speak directly with the people who designed and built your AGV.
Automation Your Operation Can Depend On
Avon’s heavy-duty AGVs prove that automation doesn’t just survive in harsh steel mill conditions—it thrives. With unmatched durability, safety, and performance, our AGVs deliver the throughput, reliability, and ROI that today’s steel producers demand.
Ready to see automation that’s built for your toughest conditions? Contact Avon Engineering today.
