“Smart sensors deliver more” – under this motto, SICK is presenting sensor-based track and trace system solutions for a variety of application fields in intralogistics at LogiMAT 2024 (Hall 1, Stand F51) in Stuttgart. The highlight of the trade fair stand is the “Ident Gate System”. It enables trading companies, suppliers and logistics service providers to further automate goods flows and record them completely and in real time. In this way, it is possible to fulfill 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.
When it comes to flexible and safe automation solutions for robotics, the focus is on container picking and safety solutions whose application functionality can be expanded with the help of AI. In addition, a new scanning solution to increase throughput at picking stations will be on display at the trade fair stand. With the Automated Load Detect Ident System (ALDIS), SICK presents an accurate, flexible and cost-efficient location 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 appearance.
LogiMAT 2024 from March 19th to 21st – meeting point for the international intralogistics specialist world – has the motto “SHAPING CHANGE TOGETHER – Sustainability – AI – Ergonomics”. In the fully booked ten exhibition halls as well as in the East and West entrance areas, more than 1,500 exhibitors from 40 countries will be showcasing the current trends in intralogistics on 125,000 m² of exhibition space. “Due to its size and versatility, LogiMAT is the perfect environment for us to present our innovative products and solutions for efficient intralogistics and smart digitalization to a broad specialist audience,” explains Phil Krumbein, Market Product Manager Logistic Solutions at SICK Vertriebs-GmbH In Dusseldorf.
Track-and-trace with Ident Gate System: more transparency along the supply chain
Not only is the ongoing shortage of skilled workers forcing companies to rethink and further automate processes in logistics, but also the law on corporate due diligence in supply chains. Since January 1, 2024, this also applies to companies with at least 1,000 employees. It obliges companies in Germany to respect human rights by implementing defined due diligence obligations that apply not only to their own business area, but also to the actions of contractual partners and suppliers. All of this must be documented in regular supply chain management reporting.
Since companies’ responsibility extends along the entire supply chain and does not end at their own factory exit or loading gates, SICK has developed the Ident Gate System. The portal provides the right solution for every requirement. The modular approach makes it possible to flexibly combine technologies with one another. In addition to a powerful 2D matrix camera for 1D or 2D code reading and image recording for archiving purposes, there is the option for an RFID reader on the Ident Gate system, which enables bulk reading with a high density of data carriers. In addition to the identification of goods, additional 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, there is the reason for the movement of goods, such as loading, unloading, company traffic or internal transport. This information therefore meets 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 optimize these and effectively avoid errors, such as incorrect loading.
Versatile automation solutions for robotics
When it comes to sensor-based automation of robots, SICK’s sensors and sensor solutions address the five classic challenges of robotics: safety (safe robotics), visual guidance through cameras (robot vision), gripping technology (end-of-arm tooling), positioning (positioning). as well as service. As a complete solution provider and competent value creation partner for all aspects of robotics, SICK shows information on all of the topics mentioned – as well as the possibilities with which AI-based sensors can expand the range of applications for robots.
Vision solution for “hands-free picking”: more throughput and efficiency at the picking station
Picking stations with manual or semi-automated sorting require the use of people. At the same time, the performance requirements for work efficiency have increased due to the growing volume of orders, particularly in e-commerce. The use of classic hand scanners means that either only one-handed gripping is possible or the device has to be put down, both processes that affect the picking process. SICK shows a vision solution that literally gives the picking staff 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 into the picking box. There is no need to operate an annoying hand scanner. In this way, the throughput at the picking station increases and at the same time the workflow becomes more ergonomic.
Location solutions for a seamless material flow
With the Automated Load Detect Ident System (ALDIS), SICK presents a location system with which the growing complexity of intralogistics processes can be easily mastered through precise, flexible and cost-efficient localization and identification of goods. Intelligent sensors automatically detect loading and unloading processes of forklift trucks. The transported goods are automatically identified. This is done either using barcodes, 2D codes or RFID. ALDIS brings together 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, among other things, for the storage of received deliveries, for production supplies from the warehouse, for the storage of finished goods or for the provision of stock goods in the outgoing goods department or in the shipping area.
Smart sensor solutions for driverless transport systems
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) and autonomous mobile robots (AMR) are already standard in many companies. In the future, driverless transport systems will become more flexible overall, can react more quickly and adapt to new situations. At the trade fair stand, SICK will be showing a variety of sensor, system and software solutions that not only meet these requirements, but also make vehicles more intelligent and safer. In addition to localization and navigation, areas such as motion control, industrial image processing and, last but not least, security are also covered.
Virtual Warehouse – experience warehouse environments interactively and immersively
With the Virtual Warehouse, SICK presents a digital exhibit that enables an interactive and immersive experience of an entire warehouse environment and its most important applications, including SICK sensor solutions. It offers 3D panoramic views of various warehouse areas such as receiving, warehouse, picking, shipping and shipping. Each view provides detailed information about the application, descriptions as well as 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), trade, tracking and tracing or warehousing.
Interested parties can find further information and the option to make an appointment at: www.sick.com/logimat2024 .