Sensor solutions for automated conveying solutions
The core of an automated three-dimensional warehouse is an automated conveyor line system. Automated conveyor belts are mainly used to transport goods to or remove them from the stacker. They are generally located in front of the three-dimensional shelves and effectively connect them for goods storage and retrieval. They can quickly deliver goods that need to be accessed to designated locations, improve logistics efficiency and accuracy, and reduce labor costs and transportation time.
(1) Conveyor line object detection
Conveying is one of the key links in the logistics project. In logistics conveyor belt system, pallets and turnover boxes are generally used for the transportation of goods. How to realize fast and accurate detection of the goods on the conveying line determines the efficiency of goods warehousing and delivery. Reflective photoelectric sensors have become the industry's preferred choice due to their high cost-effectiveness and stability.
Solutions:
In the conveyor line, install mirror reflective PF21R reflective plate sensors or PF21T 5-meter distance conveyor belt dedicated reflective sensors on both sides of the conveyor line to detect whether the goods have passed through. If goods pass by, the beam of light is blocked, triggering a photoelectric output response.
The M18 series cylindrical photoelectric sensor is also a recommended product for conveyor lines, with a metal shell and metal thread for simplified installation, while improving the stability of mechanical installation.
(2) Conveyor line high reflective object detection
The sensor installed on the conveyor line can monitor the position of goods in real time and effectively save manpower. for However, the packaging of cargo pallets wrapped in film, as well as transparent water bottles covered with film such as mineral water, have become limitations for standard reflective plate sensors. Because the ability of plastic film to reflect light is similar to that of reflective plates, standard reflective plate sensors are prone to signal errors.
Solutions:
PF21R series retro-reflective photoelectric sensors have become the industry's preferred choice due to their high cost-effectiveness and stability. With polarization reflective function which can effectively avoid the impact of high-reflective film packaging on the sensor. On the whole, the detection error rate is greatly reduced, the stability and working efficiency of the conveyor line are improved, and the fault-free operation is realized.
(3) Complex package detection
In application of sorting, the shape of goods packaging is very different and the color is varied, which is a test of the reliability of photoelectric sensors.
Solutions:
PF21B background suppression photoelectric switch can detect almost no attenuation of various objects, which is more suitable for the application needs of customers.
(4) Package length, width, height, or volume information detection
In logistics and automated warehouse industries, the measurement of product size and volume has been a very common and necessary work. Before stacking the goods, high-precision measurement light curtains are installed to obtain the length, width, height, or volume information of the goods. According to actual demand, the height, width, depth, and stacking method of the goods that can be stacked are set.
Solutions:
The LSMC05 series measuring light curtain is a high-precision measuring grating that adopts the Modbus communication protocol and has no blind spot design. It is a recommended infrared grating product for logistics transportation lines and production equipment lines.The measurement light curtain can automatically measure the tracking detection of the objects on the conveyor, and can online detect and measure the volume and area of the packaging box. and also can be used for single application or measurement of unilateral products. Secondary programming can be used to realize the data transmission that customers want to show.
(5) Area protection for stacking robots
The stacking robot replaces manual labor for material handling and stacking, greatly reducing manual labor intensity and improving the overall efficiency of logistics warehousing. Collisions, injuries, or other safety accidents between robots and personnel should be separated to protect the safety of workers.
Solutions:
Install safety light curtain in the working area of the stacking robot to improve the safety of the working environment. LSA safety light curtains will immediately detect and trigger corresponding safety measures, such as stopping the robot's movement or triggering an emergency stop.
(6) Safety solution at the entrance and exit of the logistics conveyor line
Installing a safety light curtain at the entrance and exit of the logistics conveyor line can detect people or objects entering dangerous areas. Once someone enters, the system will immediately stop the operation of the machine to prevent accidents. However, in some situations where conveying materials or feeding intelligent cars frequently enter and exit, the system frequent operation caused by material and cars will greatly reduce production efficiency.
Solutions:
Use the muting (also known as "shielding") function to temporarily automatically stop the safety function of the safety light curtain during the passage of objects, while still being able to reliably detect when personnel pass through, achieving "separation" of people and vehicles.
(7) Sensor solutions for stacker cranes
The stackers are the most important lifting and transportation equipment in three-dimensional warehouses. They are mainly used to run along the tracks in the alleys of high-rise shelf warehouses, and then store the goods located at the lane entrance into the cargo compartment. When the goods in the compartment are taken out, they are transported to the lane entrance to complete the inbound and outbound operations.
Solutions:
The sensors such as photoelectric sensor , distance sensor, lidar sensor are used at stacker to detect the position of goods, distance acquisition for positioning and avoid collisions with the stacker. The application of laser ranging sensor and laser positioning system in the automatic control system of track tunnel stackers has achieved absolute address recognition of the stackers, effectively solving the accuracy and reliability of counting and positioning, and conveniently achieving smooth speed regulation, thereby improving the overall performance of the stackers.
