Automatic photo portal for the documentation of intralogistics processes

Due to digitalization in Industry 4.0, internal logistics is subject to constant change. Internal traceability, i.e. the tracking of goods in the warehouse or production facility, is increasingly playing a key role. Manufacturers and consumers are placing more and more emphasis on the safety and quality of products. Costly and image-damaging complaints must therefore be avoided. Automation systems can help to optimize goods control here and at the same time facilitate and accelerate the work of the operators - saving time and costs.

Application

The P.Portal is used at Schnellecke to inspect containers with components. For the purpose of documentation and proof in the event of complaints, the filled containers must be photographed. Up to now, employees with digital cameras have taken over this part manually - now four cameras from the uEye CP family each take photos of the corresponding containers. Thanks to a trigger sensor, this happens with repeated accuracy and completely automatically. The PC-based multi-camera system displays and simultaneously stores the image data. The cameras are mounted on a bridge-like construction under which the containers to be documented are passed. Triggered by a distance sensor, these containers are automatically photographed from 4 sides (front/rear/left/right) as they pass through.

In principle, the camera positions are freely selectable, in this case they are to the left and right of the portal. Two lateral extensions of the portal ensure that all pictures can be taken at the same time. The optional Smart Light module enables intelligent light control for the image capture process, actively saving energy costs.

Photo portal with freely selectable camera positions
Photo portal with freely selectable camera positions
USB3 Vision industrial cameras from IDS reliably detect passing containers even at high train speeds.
USB3 Vision industrial cameras from IDS reliably detect passing containers even at high train speeds.

Software

With the help of software developed by Pose Automation, the images are stored in the client's system with date and time in real time. "What was important to us in the development of the software as well as the overall system was the high degree of automation of the photography process. In addition, P.Portal offers face pixelation with deep-learning technology and is thus DGSVO-compliant," Sebastian Pose explains. In addition, modular extensions are possible, such as the "Smart Light" green technology used here, with which uniform lighting for a passageway switches on and off automatically. Further modules, such as "Code Reading", "Booking Live", "Smart Recording" complete the offer

Each container taken from four sides is displayed in real time on the monitor.
Each container taken from four sides is displayed in real time on the monitor.

USB 3 uEye CP - Incredibly fast, incredibly reliable, incredible sensors

uEye CP industrial camera from IDS
Schnellecke Logistics SE
Pose Automation GmbH