SICK demonstrated its latest solutions for logistic applications at LogiMAT 2022

At LogiMAT 2022 in Hall 1, Booth F51, SICK presented sensor and all-in-one solutions for greater transparency throughout the entire logistics chain with the motto “Transparent Supply Chain.” The focus is on new hardware and software solutions for mobile platforms that will create greater flexibility as well as on augmented reality solutions for reducing downtime. SICK also demonstrated how artificial intelligence can be used to automate complex tasks using the example of the PACS pallet classification system, which was nominated for the IFOY Award.

The digitalization of industry not only offers logistics a broad range of solutions. The players in the industry have to familiarize themselves with the typically highly complex topics or else fall back on external knowledge. “We have been working on future-proof sensor solutions for many years,” explains Lars Lendziewski, Group Manager in the Systems and Digital Solutions division at SICK, “and offer a extensive range of products and services,” he continues. SICK is able to offer all-in-one solutions customized to specific requirements, from distribution and warehouse logistics to production logistics. In the process, the company is constantly integrating new technologies. “In the future, artificial intelligence will offer our customers even more ways to consistently increase their quality and to act in a sustainable manner that conserves resources,” Lars Lendziewski adds.

Range of digital solutions

SICK presented its new intelligent digital products and services at its trade fair booth in Stuttgart. The focus will be on the PACS pallet classification system based on deep learning. Using PACS, the sensor manufacturer showed how users today can meet their specific requirements on their own using artificial intelligence. The SICK AppSpace with dStudio helps them do this. With this platform, any user can easily train a SICK camera, even without image processing or programming knowledge. Once fed with a few images, the camera can learn on its own using artificial intelligence and identify more and new variants of the object. “PACS can tell the difference between pallets with deposits and those without. In the past, our customer lost a lot of money doing this. Today, the company can use this system to automate a task that is repetitive, tedious and prone to errors,” explains Lars Lendziewski. PACS is competing for the best product and has also been nominated for the IFOY Awards.

With the SICK Augmented Reality Assistant, SARA for short, the actual environment can be connected to the invisible field of vision of the sensor. The app can be installed on smartphones with Apple or Android operating systems, where it visualizes data from sensors or controllers. This can help OEMs and system integrators reduce their commissioning and troubleshooting times. If, for example, a mobile robot or AGC stops, end users can quickly check whether this was caused by a problem with the sensor and either fix or rule it out. This reduces device downtime on a regular basis.

Mobile platforms

AGVs and autonomously driving mobile robots have already been standard equipment at many companies for some time. In the future, automated guided vehicle systems will become more flexible overall and also react and adapt to new situations more quickly. SICK has a wide range of solutions that help meet these requirements. At LogiMAT, the company showed how sensors make vehicles safe as well as intelligent. In addition to virtual line navigation based on LIDAR technology for localization and environment detection, the company also presented machine vision solutions, such as the Visionary T-mini, as well as smart SICK safety and identification sensor solutions.

Track and trace systems

New solutions for the real-time management of supply chain processes with a cross-system overview of existing data are quickly gaining in significance for Industry 4.0 applications. For this purpose, smaRTLog, a joint development by SICK and SAP, offers complete IoT integration with business process monitoring and automation. The solution combines the SICK Tag-LOC system using UWB technology, which provides real-time data from logistics objects and systems, with a cloud solution from the SAP Logistics Business Network for detailed tracking of logistics processes. Users save time and money on integration thanks to a fully integrated end-2-end solution from the sensor hardware to the business process. Goods can be automatically identified, and material flows can be viewed and also proactively controlled. In the process, time sequences as well as the utilization of transports are optimized.

Reducing packaging material and lowering costs thanks to optimal utilization of storage and transport space – this is where the Master Data Analyzer Vision comes in. The track and trace system collects master data quickly and precisely. In just one step and in less than one second, the system reads existing codes, records dimensions and weight and generates a high-resolution color image. Freely definable features can also be recorded. All data is transmitted to the host directly after recording. This makes it easy to digitize master data.

For more information, please visit http://www.sick.com.