March 2020

THE GERMAN forklift manufacturer Jungheinrich has a developed a networked machine vision system designed to be integrated into forks to read and compare barcodes on packaging and storage systems, thus avoiding storage and retrieval errors. The company says that the system will prevent items being stored in the wrong compartment, or the wrong pallets being retrieved from a rack. “When barcode lists are scanned manually at shelf compartments or on order papers – which has been common practice up to now – errors occur time and again because the place of storage is not directly checked,”explains Dr Felix Riesenhuber, Jungheinrich’s head of product management assistance systems and modules.“The digital scan using the new fork-arm camera now effectively helps to prevent storage and retrieval errors and the associated search times and missed trips.” The cameras are designed to be networked with a company’s goods management system, allowing barcodes to be compared with data in the system. If the read-out of the shelf compartment is the same as the target compartment, or the read-out from packaging is the same as the goods to be picked up, the forklift driver confirms this by touching a display. This is claimed to increase the speed and reliability of storage and retrieval operations. The digital fork camera guarantees high image quality by adjusting its exposure parameters dynamically. By digitally sharpening contrasts, the high-resolution camera makes can detect QR codes reliably, even on high shelves. The code-checking camera is one of a series of systems being developed by Jungheinrich based on digital cameras. Another one, called addedView 360°, provides panoramic views around counterbalance forklifts, including a bird's-eye view, which it generates by combining and converting images from several cameras on the vehicle. This allows drivers to navigate safely and quickly, even in tight, confusing situations. www.jungheinrich.co.uk n TECHNOLOGY Forklift vision system prevents storage and retrieval errors Stäubli has developed a four-axis Scara robot which, it claims, is the first that can be used in food industry applications. The TS2 HE robots have“a unique and revolutionary hygienic design” that uses smooth surfaces to eliminate areas where fluids could accumulate. Stäubli believes that the development will open up new uses for Scara robots. Key elements of the arms are made of stainless steel, and they are coated to withstand low- pressure water jets (IP65) and immersion (IP67) in washdown processes. An enclosed and pressurised structure prevents microorganisms frompenetrating and avoids condensation. NSF H1 food-grade oil is used to lubricate the robots safely, without comprising their performance. There are no external cables, with all connections going via the robot’s small-footprint base. Maintenance is said to be easy. www.staubli.com Forklift drivers can confirm the result produced by the code- reading camera by touching a display on board the vehicle Scara robot is first for hygienic applications