High throughput prized
April 1st 2010 Leading Scandanavian retailer uses
bardcode readers and sensors to ensure
high throughput and reliability of
material flow control systems
The Scandinavian fashion group Lindex commissioned
Swisslog to design and equip its distribution centre at the
group's headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden. The
distribution centre, which handles the flow of women's and
children's clothes to 350 outlets in northern Europe, is based on a
combination of fully automatic and manual processes.
Buchs/Göteborg, the warehouse &
distribution solutions division of Swisslog
specialises in bespoke logistics solutions
for wholesale and retail and carried out
the installation.
The centre is serviced by four cranes, an
intelligent pick solution, as well as an
automatic labelling and palletising system.
A key element in the performance of the automated storage
and distribution centres are sensors from Leuze electronic. The
high throughput and reliability of the material flow control
systems relies on Leuze electronic's optoelectronic sensors, plus a
relatively large scale implementation of BCL500i barcode readers.
PRK 25B retro-reflective optoelectronic sensors are used
extensively because they are optimised for container and packet
detection in real-world applications. The sensor's performance
reserve enables them to operate reliably at ranges of up to 10m,
while facing challenges such a shrink-wrapping. Swisslog also
made use of unique technologies from Leuze electronic such as
brightVision and the innovative Ultra-Lock connector system
which simplified mounting and commissioning.
KONTURflex measuring light curtains are also used and these
work by generating a monitoring field consisting of many light
beams. The number of interrupted light beams defines the width
of the object being measured.
Fast and reliable identification is key to the logistics system's
availability and process reliability and hence prime drivers in
Swisslog's choice of BCL 500i barcode readers.
The BCL500i barcode reader range is a flagship product for
Leuze electronic, with the manufacturer claiming it offers strong
technical performance, including a large depth of field, a choice
of integrated communication protocols and built-in
configuration software.
For Lindex, Swisslog chose BCL500i scanners with a fully
integrated PROFIBUS interface, to enable the readers to be
integrated into an existing network. In addition to utilising
configuration of the scanner across the network, Lindex also
benefits from the high reading reliability provided by the
innovative code reconstruction technology built into all
BCL500i's.
Leuze electronic's code reconstruction technology, which is
widely used across the UK in supermarket and catalogue
shopping distribution centres, works by scanning across a barcode
at an angle, rather than along the central axis of the code.
As shown in the adjacent diagram, many scans are taken at an
angle across the barcode and the BCL500i reconstructs these
numerous slices into one complete
barcode. This enables the scanner to
overcome problems such as gaps in the
barcode, which would typically be due to
poor print quality or soiling of the label.
High-performance optics, innovative
scanning technology and integrated
communication protocols made the
BCL500i barcode suited to the constantly increasing volume and
demands of Lindex's distribution centre. Leuze electronic's
processes are designed to provide a healthy performance reserve,
which ensures reliable operation in real-world applications. The
firm also offers features to speed up installation and
commissioning.
Optimised for high bay warehouses
Leuze electronic's AMS200 Absolute Measuring System uses laser
optics to measure distances of up to 200m within a tolerance of
3mm. Typically used on high bay warehouse applications, transfer
stations etc, the AMS200 uses a laser and "time-of-flight"
technology to provide a distance measurement.
An additional benefit that differentiates the unit is the built in speed
monitoring calculation and output. On a high-bay warehouse
system, our customers tell us this extra functionality saves up to
30% of their build cost.
As logistics' warehouses increase in size, large distances are very
common on gantry cranes and high-bay stacker crane systems.
Therefore the unit has a range of up to 200 metres, with an accuracy
of 3mm, or even further with slightly lower accuracy.
The option of integrated heating enables the unit to withstand
temperatures as low as -30 deg C, making it suitable for cold store
warehouses. More articles from Swisslog (UK) Ltd.: | 
