The position and stack height of the crates palletized by the robot is monitored by a TOF camera. This is a completely new technology for us. The time-of-flight method can be used to generate a 3D image of the scene, which is available as a point cloud. It can be used to determine the positions and dimensions of objects.

What is the particular appeal of time-of-flight technology for intralogistics?

Our AM-T100 time-of-flight camera uses a Sony DepthSense sensor to generate 3D depth images with millimeter precision. Its high frame rate of up to 60 fps is ideal for industrial manufacturing processes as well as logistics and robotics. In logistics and packaging technology, for example, the camera can be used for.

The system can be used for packaging support, carton filling, stacking, volume detection or labeling in order to increase the efficiency and accuracy of the processes. The image data is made available via the standardized GenICam data interface and can be processed with common image processing software. In addition, high-performance algorithms allow the data to be pre-filtered so that the camera can be adapted to different environmental conditions.

Is the camera an in-house development by Schmersal?

The camera was created in a cooperation project with a long-standing development partner. This gave us the opportunity to incorporate our customers' requirements directly into the development and at the same time benefit from our cooperation partner's expertise in camera technology.

Is the image processing area to be expanded within the company?

As part of our innovation management, we are constantly monitoring which new technological developments and trends are emerging and how we can make them usable for machine safety and automation solutions. Due to increasing automation in industry, 3D solutions will become more and more important in the future because they enable efficient monitoring with just one sensor.

The SSB-R sensor box for electric monorail systems is also celebrating its premiere at the trade fair. Could you briefly describe its features and how it works?

Electric monorail systems are used to transport workpieces, tools or other supplied parts. Magnetic sensors from Schmersal have proven themselves many times over for monitoring their position and speed. However, some users found the assembly of various individual components too complex. Our new sensor box detects the field of suitable actuator magnets on four independent tracks and changes the signal status as it passes by. With just one M12 connector, it offers virtually 'plug and play' installation and makes assembly considerably more efficient.

In addition, the magnetic signal storage also works in the event of a power failure and enables operation to be restarted quickly.
Another advantage is the high precision of the position monitoring. A variant of the sensor box - the SSB-RH - is equipped with additional sensors on two tracks and uses a high level signal of 100 ms. These features increase the positioning accuracy so that, for example, a trolley can be brought to a halt at the desired stop position with an accuracy of ±1.5 mm.

Hanover Fair, Hall 9, Stand D09