Volume measurement system sets the standards for logistics operations

Citation

(2006), "Volume measurement system sets the standards for logistics operations", Sensor Review, Vol. 26 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2006.08726daf.006

Volume measurement system sets the standards for logistics operations

Volume measurement system sets the standards for logistics operations

Keywords: Machine vision, Image sensors, Volume measurement

With volume rather than weight becoming the preferred means of package analysis in the freight industry, the new VMS410 volume measurement system, from SICK (UK) Ltd has been designed to help users determine the volume of consignments at courier, express and parcel services and logistics centres (Plate 5).

Plate 5 The VMS410 volume measurement system from SICK (UK)

Designed for the detection of individual cuboid objects, it comprises a handy sensor head with integrated evaluation for object measurement. The sensor head, which can be installed centrally above any flat conveyor system, emits a fan-shaped laser beam with an angular resolution of 0.125&#186. By evaluating the laser beam's time-of- flight the length, height and width of the package can be determined – to within a few millimetres. Even objects with a reflectivity level of just 10 per cent, such as a dark parcel, can be measured, making the VMS410 suitable for almost any plant environment.

The sensor's connection technology allows for rapid installation and commissioning and the transmission of measurement data to a system controller can take place either via the serial RS-232 interface or via an ethernet connection.

The development and design of the VMS410 has been defined by the requirements of the International Organisation of Legal Metrology's (OIML) R 129 recommendation regarding the scale value and calibration error limit, as well as the test parameters. The ultimate intention being to gain the inspection certificate of the Federal Institute of Physics and Technology (PTB) in Braunschweig after certification by the OIML- accredited NMi inspection authorities in the Netherlands. This is expected in early 2006 and the certified model will be known as the VMS510. Both VMS models will be available from SICK (UK) Ltd with the user's choice of unit depending on any legislative issues affecting their end application.

In combination with a legal-for-trade weighing system and bar-code scanners, the VMS510 will offer a system capable of full calibration for courier, express and package logistics – ready for approval by national inspection authorities. Alternatively, the VMS520 twin head system is available for irregular objects.

The equation “low weight¼small package or small pallet load” is frequently wrong. It is the size of packages or pallets that determines how many of them can be loaded into a certain space. Transport performance is also increasingly becoming invoiced according to consignment volumes. With the VMS 410 and 510 it is possible to optimise cargo space utilisation while also invoicing transport and distribution performances on the basis of the unit numbers and volumes actually transported.

For further information, visit the web site: www.sick.co.uk