„Smart sensors deliver more“ - under this motto, Sick will be presenting sensor-based track-and-trace system solutions for a wide range of intralogistics applications at LogiMAT 2024. The highlight of the trade fair stand is the „Ident Gate System“. It enables retail companies, suppliers and logistics service providers to further automate the flow of goods and record them completely and in real time.
In this way, it is possible to fulfil the due diligence obligations along the supply chain in accordance with the planned European Supply Chain Directive and the German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act, which has already come into force. The flexible and secure automation solutions for robotics focus on Bin picking and safety solutions whose application functionality can be expanded with the help of AI. A new scanning solution for increasing throughput at picking stations will also be on display at the trade fair stand. With the Automated Load Detect Ident System (ALDIS), Sick is presenting an accurate, flexible and cost-efficient localisation solution for a seamless material flow. This supports companies in making the growing complexity of intralogistics processes manageable. Smart sensor solutions for mobile platforms and the digital exhibit of the Virtual Warehouse round off the trade fair presentation.
It is not only the ongoing shortage of skilled workers that is forcing companies to rethink and further automate processes in logistics, but also the law on corporate due diligence in supply chains. Since 1 January 2024, this has also applied to companies with at least 1,000 employees. Sick has developed the Ident Gate System because companies' responsibility extends along the entire supply chain and does not end at their own factory exit or loading gates. The portal provides the right solution for every requirement. The modular approach makes it possible to combine technologies flexibly. In addition to a high-performance 2D matrix camera for 1D or 2D code reading and image capture for archiving purposes, there is also the option of an RFID reader on the Ident Gate system, which enables bulk reading with a high density of data carriers.
In addition to goods identification, further sensors can also be used to measure the volume and protrusion of the load as well as load carrier classification and counting. The information collected can also be compared with the specifications of a higher-level enterprise resource planning (ERP) system. In addition, the reason for the movement of goods, such as loading, unloading, factory transport or internal transport, can be recorded. These Information thus fulfils the basic track-and-trace requirements derived from the Supply Chain Act. By determining the exact position and other details, they create complete transparency in the company's logistics and supply chain. This makes it possible to further optimise them and effectively avoid errors, such as incorrect loading.
Versatile automation solutions for robotics
Sick's sensors and sensor solutions address the five classic challenges of robotics when it comes to the sensor-based automation of robots: Safety (Safe Robotics), visual guidance by cameras (Robot Vision), gripping technology (End-of-Arm-Tooling), positioning (Positioning) and service. As a complete solution provider and expert value-added partner for all aspects of robotics, the company will be presenting information on all the topics mentioned - as well as on the ways in which AI-based sensors can expand the range of applications for robots.
Picking stations with manual or semi-automated sorting require the use of people. At the same time, the growing volume of orders, particularly in e-commerce, has increased performance requirements in terms of work efficiency. The use of classic hand-held scanners either only allows one-handed gripping or requires the device to be put down, both of which impair the picking process. Sick is presenting a vision solution that literally gives picking personnel a „free hand“. A vision camera above the workstation automatically reads barcodes and 2D codes on the packaging label, as soon as goods are moved from the storage container to the picking box. There is no need to operate a disruptive hand scanner. This increases throughput at the picking station and at the same time makes the work process more ergonomic.
Tracking solutions for a seamless material flow
With the Automated Load Detect Ident System (ALDIS), Sick presents a localisation system that makes it easy to master the growing complexity of intralogistics processes through precise, flexible and cost-efficient localisation and identification of goods. Intelligent sensors automatically recognise the loading and unloading processes of forklift trucks. The transported goods are automatically identified. This can be done using barcodes, 2D codes or RFID. ALDIS collates the handling and ID data and transmits it wirelessly to the Sick Asset Analytics software platform or the customer's existing system. ALDIS is used, for example, for the storage of received deliveries, for production supply from the warehouse, for the storage of finished goods or for the provision of warehouse goods in the goods issue or dispatch area.
Smart sensor solutions for driverless transport systems
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are already standard in many companies. In future, driverless transport systems will become more flexible overall, vehicles can react more quickly and adapt to new situations. Sick will be exhibiting a wide range of sensor, system and software solutions that not only fulfil these requirements, but also make vehicles more intelligent and safer. In addition to localisation and navigation, areas such as motion control, industrial image processing and, last but not least, safety will also be covered.
With the Virtual Warehouse, Sick is also presenting a digital exhibit that enables an interactive and immersive experience of an entire warehouse environment and its most important applications, incorporating sensor solutions. It offers 3D panoramic views of various storage areas such as incoming goods, warehouse, order picking, outgoing goods and dispatch. Each view provides detailed information about the application, descriptions, images and web links to suitable Sick products. In addition, the virtual warehouse offers various guided tours that lead from one application to the next and provide comprehensive information on topics such as courier, express and parcel services (CEP), retail, tracking and tracing or warehousing.
Source: Sick
Sick at LogiMAT 2024: Hall 1, Stand F51
