Applications
Luggage scrutinised
The efector pmd distance sensor ensures smooth airport security checks. Before now, two operators were needed to re-orientate the pieces of luggage so that they could properly pass through the security screening. To automate this, the company R.J. Herbert developed the "Pathfinda". The conveyor platform centralises luggage and re-orientates it parallel to the conveyor belt. Eight efector pmd distance sensors (O1D100) serve for the detection of position and orientation of the luggage. They "observe" the conveyor belt from the side in a right angle. A vertically oriented piece of luggage is rotated on a special conveyor belt until all sensors measure the same distance to the object. Then the luggage is re-orientated and can pass through the X-ray screening machine without any trouble.
Collision avoidance on overhead conveyors
With a measuring range of 10,000 mm, the efector pmd can also be used as a monitoring system for overhead conveyors. The distance measurement is used to avoid collision of successive autonomous transport units. Here, the analogue output with a 4...20 mA interface can be used for distance measurement or, as an alternative, the two switching outputs can signal "slow run" or "stop" at preset distances.
"Shelf occupied" detection
There are numerous applications possible with efector pmd in conveying technology. Among others, the sensor can be used like a photocell with background suppression. In comparison to photocells, efector pmd has the advantage of a long range of up to 10,000 mm. Moreover, efector pmd can be used for storage and retrieval units in order to detect whether a shelf is occupied. Boxes which may already be in the shelf compartment at the position of the storage and retrieval unit can be reliably detected by efector pmd.
Level control
efector pmd can also be used for measuring tasks at shorter operating distances from 200 mm. These tasks include, among others, the detection of products e.g. in packaging areas of a production line, where the size of the product often serves as characteristic feature. Furthermore, efector pmd can also be used for level monitoring of food products. It does not matter whether yoghurt, cherries, blueberries or similar products are filled. efector pmd reliably controls different levels.