Custom AGV projects often require changes to vehicle dimensions, forks, lifting systems, sensors or software. Before production begins, buyers should understand how Chinese manufacturers review, validate and document these engineering modifications.

Quick Answer

A properly managed Chinese AGV customization project should use a formal engineering change process. The requested modification is reviewed for mechanical, electrical, software, safety and schedule impacts before updated drawings and specifications are approved. The customized vehicle should then undergo factory testing before shipment.

Can I Change the AGV Chassis Dimensions During Production?

In many projects, Chinese AGV manufacturers can customize chassis dimensions. However, whether the change can be made after production has started depends on how deeply the modification affects the vehicle design.

Changing the chassis can affect the vehicle's turning radius, center of gravity, wheel loading, sensor locations, battery installation and navigation performance.

Engineering Review Should Include:

• Vehicle dimensions

• Load capacity

• Center of gravity

• Wheel loading

• Sensor position

• Navigation clearance

• Battery configuration

• Safety clearance

Can I Change Fork Length After Production Has Started?

Fork length is not simply a dimensional option. It affects load center, rated capacity, pallet compatibility and vehicle stability.

If the fork length changes, the manufacturer should confirm that the revised configuration still meets the required load capacity and operating conditions.

Mechanical

Fork strength, carriage dimensions and hydraulic requirements should be reviewed.

Stability

Load center and vehicle stability may change with longer or shorter forks.

Application

The revised fork must remain compatible with the customer's pallet dimensions.

What Happens When an Engineering Change Is Requested?

A professional custom AGV project should not rely on informal communication such as emails or messages saying "please change this dimension." The modification should enter a controlled engineering change process.

01. Request

Customer submits the required modification.

02. Review

Engineering evaluates feasibility and technical impact.

03. Revision

Drawings and specifications are updated.

04. Approval

Customer approves the revised configuration.

05. Production

Manufacturing follows the approved revision.

06. Validation

The customized AGV is tested before shipment.

How Do Chinese AGV Manufacturers Validate Structural Modifications?

Structural modifications should be reviewed against the original mechanical design requirements. The larger the change, the more important formal engineering validation becomes.

For a customized chassis, mast or heavy-lift structure, the engineering team may evaluate:

• Material specifications

• Structural dimensions

• Load paths

• Welded joints

• Maximum payload

• Mast loading

• Fork loading

• Wheel loading

• Vehicle stability

Important:

A heavier customized frame should not automatically be treated as a higher-capacity AGV. Payload rating, stability, braking and structural strength must be evaluated as a complete system.

How Are Custom Heavy-Lift Frames Validated?

Heavy-lift customization requires additional engineering attention because increasing the payload can affect the frame, mast, hydraulic system, drive system, brakes and wheels.

Before approving the design, ask the manufacturer to verify:

• Frame strength

• Mast strength

• Fork strength

• Hydraulic capacity

• Drive system capacity

• Brake performance

• Wheel loading

• Vehicle stability

• Emergency stopping performance

Will Custom Structural Modifications Increase Production Time?

They can. The schedule impact depends mainly on when the modification is requested and whether the manufacturer can use an existing component.

Low Impact

Changing an existing standard option before production may have limited impact.

Medium Impact

New components or engineering calculations may require additional time.

High Impact

Major structural redesigns may require new drawings, tooling, testing and production planning.

Can a Chinese AGV Manufacturer Test Custom Software Before Export?

Yes. Customized software should be tested before the AGV leaves the factory, especially when it changes WMS, ERP, API, traffic management or task-dispatch functions.

A useful software validation process can include:

• API communication testing

• Task creation testing

• Task cancellation testing

• Communication failure testing

• Invalid-data testing

• AGV dispatch testing

• Alarm handling

• Recovery testing

• Performance testing

Best Practice

Do not approve customized software only because the demonstration works. Ask the supplier to test normal operation, incorrect data, communication interruption and recovery scenarios.

What Is FAT for a Customized Chinese AGV?

Factory Acceptance Testing, or FAT, verifies that the customized AGV matches the approved technical specification before shipment.

For a customized vehicle, FAT should cover both standard functions and the functions specifically modified for the customer.

What CAD Drawings Should the Chinese Factory Provide?

The customer does not necessarily need every manufacturing drawing used inside the factory. What matters is receiving enough engineering documentation for local installation, integration and validation.

Vehicle

General arrangement and dimensional drawings.

Integration

Mounting and equipment interface drawings.

Electrical

Electrical schematics and connection information.

Navigation

Sensor locations and required clearance information.

How Should Engineering Changes Be Controlled?

International AGV projects need strong document control because the customer, engineering team and factory may be working in different locations.

Every approved modification should have a revision number or engineering change identification.

A Change Record Should Identify

• Original specification

• Requested modification

• Reason for the change

• Engineering impact

• Cost impact

• Schedule impact

• Safety impact

• Required testing

• Approval status

• Final revision number

Can Engineering Changes Affect AGV Safety Certification?

Potentially, yes. Changes involving structural strength, braking, lifting, safety sensors, electrical systems or vehicle operating behavior may require additional safety evaluation.

The customer should ask the manufacturer whether the modification affects existing conformity documentation, testing records or certification.

Do Not Assume Standard Certification Covers Every Custom Configuration

The compliance status of a customized AGV should be confirmed against its final configuration and intended operating environment.

How Do I Prevent Custom AGV Projects From Being Delayed?

The biggest schedule risk is often not manufacturing capacity. It is late engineering decisions and repeated design changes.

1. Freeze Requirements Early

Finalize dimensions, payload, lift height, pallets and software interfaces before production.

2. Approve Drawings Quickly

Avoid holding production while waiting for engineering confirmation.

3. Define FAT in Advance

Agree on the acceptance criteria before the factory starts testing.

4. Control Revisions

Make sure the factory manufactures according to the latest approved version.

What Engineering Documentation Should I Request?

How Should I Review a Customized Chinese AGV Before Shipment?

Before shipment, compare the physical AGV, software configuration and engineering documentation against the final approved specification.

Pre-Shipment Checklist

• Vehicle dimensions

• Fork dimensions

• Rated capacity

• Lift height

• Sensor configuration

• Software version

• Communication interfaces

• Safety functions

• CAD revision

• FAT results

• Spare-parts configuration

Planning a Customized AGV Project From China?

Prepare your warehouse layout, pallet dimensions, load requirements and software integration requirements before requesting a customized AGV quotation. A complete engineering specification helps the manufacturer estimate the design effort, production schedule and testing requirements more accurately.