All manufacturing industries are currently going through a period of change under the banner of Industry 4.0, many using innovative image processing technologies and systems in the areas of automation, robotics and quality assurance. The logistics industry in particular is faced with a large number of challenges when it comes to modern and economically effective process management: from package and baggage processing, storage and transport optimisation to automated commissioning to sorting and positioning tasks efficient process automation and seamless quality assurance provide a decisive cost and competitive advantage for logistics companies.
The image processing specialist FRAMOS has developed a plug-and-play volume measuring system for the logistics industry. The volume light grid (VLG) from FRAMOS Imaging Systems enables three-dimensional recording of the dimensions and volumes of general cargo in real time, providing seamless integration and automated use of this information in every conceivable intra-logistics capacity. The extensive application diversity of the VLG enables, for example, verified receipt of goods including precise documentation, optimised utilisation of storage space and warehousing, automated processing and picking, and continual quality control for the avoidance of complaints and incorrect deliveries.
Wuerth, the world market leader for assembly and fastening materials, already uses the FRAMOS VLG for its outgoing goods logistics. Ronald Schneider, head of industrial engineering at Wuerth, explains the benefits: “Installing the FRAMOS VLG has enabled us to increase our high quality requirements as goods should only leave our logistics centre in a perfectly packed condition. The extremely robust measuring of dimensions provides us with a reliable basis on which to make decisions on all subsequent processing steps in our outgoing goods area. The new volume measuring system can also be used for all of the packet sizes transported from our West Dispatch Centre; even the difficult box in tray application is successfully measured.” The robust measuring technology of the FRAMOS VLG, based on transmitted light, measures any and all objects regardless of their optical properties such as the degree of reflection or transmission. The VLG is therefore able to reliably measure transparent, matte black or reflective objects; this is of critical importance in areas such as retail and baggage logistics. It can be easily implemented in any customer system, usually within a few hours, and requires no configuration. It is available in models from 50×50 cm to 3×3 m in size with resolutions from 2.5 to 10 mm, as well as in customer-specific variations. The seamless integration into any conveyor system along with the service-friendly, modular design, very short MTTR, and especially long MTBF times makes the VLG the perfect cost-efficient OEM product solution for the robust, geometrical measurement of countless goods.
Dr. Simon CheRose, Head of Engineering at FRAMOS Imaging Systems, explains the advantages for Logistics 4.0: “The VLG enables fast and straightforward logistics automation in order to minimise throughput times and lower package and logistics costs. Our many years of image processing expertise guarantee the high quality of the software. The VLG enables process automations such as sorting and orientation tasks and quality assurance measures like verification and completeness monitoring. We support companies with the efficient automation of logistics by having immense value-add and cost advantages in the supply chain. In doing so, we are raising logistics standards to a new level and making it ready for the future.”
FRAMOS Imaging Systems presents the VLG at LogiMAT 2015 in Stuttgart (Hall 6, Stand C76).
Abstract:
How does a volume light grid work?
The volume light grid or light curtain consists of opposing LED strips that make up the transmitter and receiver. The transmitter LEDs, which are arranged at regular intervals, emit light beams that strike photoelectric diodes in the receiver strip. An adjustable switch-point identifies whether and in what intensity the emitted light arrives on the opposite side. When a number of diodes are blocked by an object, this condition can be read out and used to generate contour information that enables a virtual reconstruction of the object. The vertical and horizontal arrangement of the strips enables height and width measurements, while additional movement information produces a three-dimensional image with lengthwise measurement. In this way, the volume, position and orientation of the so-called bounding box on the conveyor system is illustrated.
About FRAMOS:
For FRAMOS, image processing is not just a technical discipline, but a fascination, the future and our mission all at the same time. Since 1981 FRAMOS is a leading technology provider in industrial, scientific and medical image processing. Headquartered in Munich and with 5 subsidiaries worldwide we enable manufacturers, system integrators and researchers to benefit from imaging technologies. Our team of approximately 80 associates offers a fully comprehensive portfolio of imaging components, technical consulting and support. Thanks to many years of experience in the industry, we offer engineering services for custom camera development as well as complete turn-key-solutions. We are proud of our participation in a revolutionary technology. The spirit of innovation and development of our early days has remained at the heart of our company.
Contact:
FRAMOS GmbH
Mehlbeerenstrae 2
82024 Taufkirchen, Germany
Phone: +49 (0)89-710667-0
Fax: +49 (0)89-710667-66
Dr. Simon CheRose, s.cherose@framos.com
www.framos.com
