FAQ

The standard model has a carrying capacity of 150 kg and a towing capacity of 500 kg. The upgraded model has a towing capacity of 1,000 kg.

SIGNAS's maximum speed is 60 m/min (1 m/s) when carrying a load and 30 m/min (0.5 m/s) when towing a load.

SIGNAS can travel up and down slopes with gradients of up to 5°.

SIGNAS can traverse a step up to 10 mm high or a gap up to 50 mm wide.

SIGNAS has a stopping accuracy of ±150 mm when following signposts and ±10 mm with line tracing using magnetic tape.

Yes.

SIGNAS does have sounds and alarms to let you know when it is running, when it turns left or right, when it stops temporarily, etc.

Yes.

Yes. You can do this by changing the audio file installed in SIGNAS.

SIGNAS has a laser rangefinder (LRF) that detects the approach of objects in front of it and a bumper sensor built into its front to detect collisions if they occur. A rear or wraparound bumper can also be added. (Optional)

SIGNAS should be used in temperatures from 0℃ to 40℃.

Yes. SIGNAS can run in the dark by detecting the light from its infrared camera’s LEDs that is reflected back at it.

SIGNAS can be used on a wet floor, but be careful of splashing water or oil and of slipping.

SIGNAS moves using a combination of three kinds of operation.
1. Following signposts (SP): SIGNAS moves toward signposts with designated IDs.
2. Dead reckoning (autonomous) operation: SIGNAS can move forward, round a curve, and spin on the spot irrespective of signpost directions. (Distance and turn radius can be set to the user's liking.)
3. Line tracing: SIGNAS moves a designated distance along a line of magnetic tape. (This requires the optional magnetic sensor.)
It can be programmed using SIGNAS Navigator on the included notebook PC.

Programs can be made by simply selecting the type of operation you want SIGNAS to perform from a drop-down menu. You don’t need any special programming knowledge to set routes either.

SIGNAS can provide 24 V 10 A electricity. This power is supplied from the drive battery, so please contact THK separately to discuss your intended application.

Customers can connect signal towers purchased from THK's recommended manufacturer, PATLITE, or any other commercially available signal tower using external connector 1. (Power will be supplied by SIGNAS.) Please prepare the installation location as well as the components to be installed.

SIGNAS can communicate what operation it's currently executing to a PLC using the PLC’s serial communication unit. This allows the PLC to link with peripheral devices wirelessly to coordinate operations such as the opening and closing of elevator doors.

With its built-in PLC and wireless unit, SIGNAS communicates its approximate location to the host device. This allows the host device to control and operate each SIGNAS unit individually. (This is under the purview of systems integrators.)

Yes. However, a PLC and wireless unit are required for communication between SIGNAS and an elevator. Additionally, the elevator itself will need to be modified so that, for example, its doors can be opened and closed using I/O communications or another form of transmissions. The size of the elevator and the vertical and horizontal gap between the elevator door and the carriage must also be taken into consideration.

Based on past experience, if the door has a sensor for detecting a person's approach, it is likely that the shutter would open and close in response to SIGNAS, but SIGNAS may end up damaging the door if it doesn't open and close with uniform timing. In general, we recommend safer, more reliable operation using a PLC and wireless communications.

SIGNAS moves using a combination of three kinds of operation.
1. Following signposts (SP): SIGNAS moves toward signposts with designated IDs.
2. Dead reckoning (autonomous) operation: SIGNAS can move forward, round a curve, and spin on the spot irrespective of signpost directions. (Distance and turn radius can be set to the user's liking.)
3. Line tracing: SIGNAS moves a designated distance along a line of magnetic tape. (This requires the optional magnetic sensor.)
It can be programmed using SIGNAS Navigator on the included notebook PC.

Programs can be made by simply selecting the type of operation you want SIGNAS to perform from a drop-down menu. You don’t need any special programming knowledge to set routes either.

SIGNAS can provide 24 V 10 A electricity. This power is supplied from the drive battery, so please contact THK separately to discuss your intended application.

Customers can connect signal towers purchased from THK's recommended manufacturer, PATLITE, or any other commercially available signal tower using external connector 1. (Power will be supplied by SIGNAS.) Please prepare the installation location as well as the components to be installed.

SIGNAS can communicate what operation it's currently executing to a PLC using the PLC’s serial communication unit. This allows the PLC to link with peripheral devices wirelessly to coordinate operations such as the opening and closing of elevator doors.

With its built-in PLC and wireless unit, SIGNAS communicates its approximate location to the host device. This allows the host device to control and operate each SIGNAS unit individually. (This is under the purview of systems integrators.)

Yes. However, a PLC and wireless unit are required for communication between SIGNAS and an elevator. Additionally, the elevator itself will need to be modified so that, for example, its doors can be opened and closed using I/O communications or another form of transmissions. The size of the elevator and the vertical and horizontal gap between the elevator door and the carriage must also be taken into consideration.

Based on past experience, if the door has a sensor for detecting a person's approach, it is likely that the shutter would open and close in response to SIGNAS, but SIGNAS may end up damaging the door if it doesn't open and close with uniform timing. In general, we recommend safer, more reliable operation using a PLC and wireless communications.

Typically, signpost operation is used for routes that don’t require as much accuracy, as it allows them to be changed easily later on, while line tracing is used only where greater accuracy is required (e.g., passing through narrow spaces or approaching the side of a machine).

THK offers wireless charging as an optional feature for SIGNAS. With this feature, a receiver unit built into the right or left side of SIGNAS allows it to charge without connecting cables simply by approaching an external charging unit.

If your SIGNAS has the wireless charging feature, it can be programmed to go to the charging point and begin charging once its battery reaches a designated level of charge.

Batteries, caster wheels, and driving wheels are treated as consumables. (See the SIGNAS user manual for manufacturers and model numbers.)