Perfection on the Production Line
Outside of scans required for depalletizing, SAC offers solutions for recognizing the type of crates, detecting empty crates, or determining the remaining volume in a box. Reading codes on products as well as developing codes for use on products is a specialty of SAC. It is also possible to manually check off codes. In most of these applications, light shields are not required, making them very well-suited for integration into logistics centers.
Automatic Box Recognition
An automatic system has been developed for a logistics distribution center to recognize boxes with specific markings, texts, or barcodes. After simply labeling a type of box with printing, all boxes with similar prints are recognized so they can be placed on the same pallets after unloading, for example, from a container or truck.
The automatic assignment of the locations where the boxes need to go saves a lot of time when unloading containers that have been loaded by hand. The regrouping of boxes on pallets simplifies distribution and storage within a logistics system.
UV Invisible Markings
A system has been developed for a grower of high-quality houseplants to track each plant during its growth. All pots have been provided with a unique UV data matrix code. The code does not disrupt the appearance of the pot and can be applied to any color pot, even over existing prints. Since the code only illuminates under UV light, there are no issues when processing other codes at a checkout system. This code can also be used on packaging for products such as meat or cheese to document the origin and packaging details.
Meat Products Logistics
At a distribution center for meat products serving a major German supermarket chain, a comprehensive code reading system has been implemented throughout the entire warehouse, achieving an impressive 99.98% accuracy. The codes are scanned using cameras installed in 65 locations. Since its launch in 2008, the system has been operational 24 hours a day without any cameras experiencing electrical or optical failures—though some have been damaged by falling crates.
This high level of reliability and accuracy ensures seamless logistics and inventory management, contributing to the efficient handling of meat products within the distribution network.
Crate Pattern Scan
For a Dutch brewery, the automatic depalletizing of returnable goods has been investigated. It has been found that incorrect, dirty, and empty crates can be identified using a TOF scanner from Sick. Wet or dry crates—whether capped or uncapped—can all be processed. No ambient light shielding is required.