Vision Sensors—Use Cases for Industrial Vision in Material Handling (Part 3)

May 1, 2023

Whether it is the adjustment of automated-guided vehicles, the positioning of stack carriers, or the removal control during order picking processes—material handling faces a multitude of challenges. To meet these, Pepperl+Fuchs offers a broad portfolio of vision sensors in material handling. Learn more about three application examples from storage and material handling in this blog article and discover the solution for your industrial vision task.

1. Precise Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV) Adjustment when Picking up Load Carriers with the PGV Positioning System

AGVs or so-called bots are frequently used in warehouse logistics to transport load carriers such as gear rack systems or trolleys. To do this, the bots first drive into a recess under the load carrier, lift it, and then continue to the specified destination.

PHA vision technology

The position guided vision (PGV) positioning system reliably identifies the load carrier and simultaneously ensures high-resolution position determination. The PGV uses Data Matrix tags with several codes attached to the underside of the container. These are detected without contact by the read head, which consists of a camera system with integrated lighting unit and large reading window. At the same time, the orientation of the read head to the tag and therefore the exact position of the target object is determined. Accordingly, the control system can use the data from the PGV to bring the bot into the correct position directly during feed-in. This ensures that the load carrier is picked up correctly.

PGV positioning system

The incident light method with internal illumination unit ensures tag detection even under difficult lighting conditions. The PGV is easy to integrate both due to the compact design of the read head and the open protocol on the software side. It also allows simple commissioning via plug-and-play.

2. Simple Drill Holes for Perfect Positioning with PHA Vision Technology

Positioning stacker cranes in front of the correct compartment in automated high-bay warehouses is a challenge because the steel frameworks are subject to varying degrees of fluctuation. In order to approach the storage compartment precisely, a two-step procedure consisting of rough and gear rack fine positioning is often used. In the first step, the storage compartment is only approached roughly at high speed. In the second step, the compartment is fine-positioned down to the millimeter range using reference objects.

3. Quality-Assured Removal Control for Packing Stations with the SmartRunner Detector

At packing and picking stations, transport boxes of different heights are conveyed to the removal station via a conveyor belt or roller conveyor. At the removal station, the conveyor line bends at a 90-degree angle. The employees have to reach into the correct box and remove the corresponding product. The gripping process is detected directly above the box so that unnoticed reaching through outside the sensor’s detection range is ruled out.

SmartRunner Detector laser profile sensor

The SmartRunner Detector laser profile sensor offers a suitable solution for monitoring only one side of the station. It combines transmitter and receiver in a single device and is insensitive to reflective objects. In addition, the detection range can be limited to the opening of the box and a minimum height of the objects to be detected can be parameterized. Therefore, neither handles next to the box nor smaller foreign objects trigger a signal.

The SmartRunner Detector combines powerful laser light section technology with a vision sensor and LED lighting. Employees always pick the product indicated by a light spot (pick by light). The pick in the detection area can be read out as a 2-D image via the RS-485 interface and is therefore used for quality assurance and documentation.

Are You Still Looking for a Solution for Your Application?

Pepperl+Fuchs offers a comprehensive portfolio of universally applicable vision sensors, application- or customer-specific products, and turnkey solutions. The powerful technologies can be used to solve a wide variety of tasks in the field of industrial vision. Talk to experts and together we will find the vision product or solution that optimally fits your individual requirements.

More Information

Source

Related Story

Pepperl+Fuchs: Vision Sensors—Three Examples for Industrial Vision in Material Handling (Part 2)

Whether control, positioning, or monitoring—the tasks of vision sensors in storage and material handling could hardly be more diverse. 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Bossard is Scaling Front Line Flexibility

    September , 2025 Experience Smart Factory Solutions that Adapt to Your Operators’ Needs at FABTECH 2025 By Krystie Johnston Bossard is bringing the future of assembly and inventory management to FABTECH 2025 from September 8 – 11. Visit them at Booth #B13000, at the North Hall in the Automation Pavilion at McCormick Place in Chicago… Read More…

  • Festo’s Customer Solutions Group: Tailor-Made Added Value for Maximum Success

    Festo’s Customer Solutions Group: Tailor-Made Added Value for Maximum Success

    September 4, 2025 By Krystie Johnston Festo is a global leader in the motion industry, and for more than a century, they have focused on innovations that support their customers across industries and around the world. Their commitment to this shows in every facet of their company, from Corporate and Didactic to their automation products,… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • I/O System IP20 Maximum Efficiency in the Panel from Weidmüller 

    September 4, 2025 Maximum efficiency, great system performance and space-optimised: meet the most innovative I/O system on the market. Handle your projects with maximum performance. u-remote speeds up your installation process and makes your machines start-up faster. The seamlessly pluggable system means you can rely on your intuition and trust that there will be no… Read More…

  • S8VK-X24024A Switch Mode Power Supply from Omron

    September 5, 2025 A DIN rail power supply with Ethernet/IP and Modbus TCP communications for continuous monitoring The S8VK-X is an advanced DIN rail power supply that provides real-time monitoring of the power supply life, voltage, current, and peak current. These built-in features allow predictive maintenance to be performed on industrial equipment. Omron provides a… Read More…