Opinion AMHSA Picture perfect
In this month’s article in the series from members of the Automated Material Handling Systems Association (AMHSA), Malcolm Smith, UK sales manager for Vitronic, explains the advantages of cameras over laser scanners in parcel label recognition.
Automation of everyday tasks – such as the inspection,
identifi cation and sorting of incoming and outgoing goods – is instrumental in ensuring speed, effi ciency and productivity in the modern warehouse. Camera- based parcel recognition systems mounted above high-speed conveyors are revolutionising distribution centres, securing a number of advantages over traditional laser scanners.
HIGH THROUGHPUTS AND READ RATES
Camera systems can process thousands of parcels an hour automatically, allowing logistics facilities to achieve high
Camera systems, on the other hand, can read barcodes, 2D codes, badly damaged or marked codes and codes behind refl ective packaging. They also use optical character recognition (OCR) techniques to identify text and hand-written address information. Camera systems operate very quickly – up to 30 times faster than laser scanners – and read nearly 100% of labels correctly. In addition, camera systems contain no moving parts and require little maintenance, guaranteeing a high level of availability.
In the unlikely event of an unreadable label, videocoding terminals allow operators to input parcel details manually at a fast pace either online, where operators input the missing
“Camera systems can read barcodes, 2D codes, badly dam- aged or marked codes and codes behind refl ective packaging”
throughputs. As items travel through the system, high-speed and auto- focus cameras capture images of their labels. Sophisticated software analyses these images, extracts customer-specifi c information and sends this to the sorter which allows it to send parcels to specifi c destinations.
For over 30 years, lasers have been used to scan packages, so what makes camera-based systems special? The answer lies in the excellent read rates achievable with cameras, enabling previously impossible levels of effi ciency.
Lasers rely on barcodes – a series of printed lines or dots – but they have trouble reading dirty, damaged or poor quality codes. This results in misreads, which cost time and money to process manually.
30 July 2012 Storage Handling Distribution
details while the parcel continues through the sorting system, or offl ine, with the images stored for later processing. Either system enables users to achieve a 100% read rate.
ADDITIONAL VERSATILITY The advantages do not end there, however. Cameras can be combined with further technology to bring added versatility. Systems with multiple cameras can read labels on up to six sides of a parcel. This means that a label can be anywhere and in any orientation. Another advantage of using cameras is the option of clear- spot detection. Here, the system checks the captured image for clear areas on the parcel and sends the co-ordinates to an automated labelling device,
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ensuring that new labels do not obscure existing information. Most camera systems are modular. Integrated volume- measuring units and in-motion scales are available, which allow companies to optimise valuable transit space in delivery vehicles, verify data provided by customers and automate invoicing. This leads to signifi cant cost savings and these processes do not interrupt material fl ow or limit throughput speed.
BETTER INFORMATION Equipping camera systems with data storage units allows swift and simple resolution of demanding customer enquiries. Accumulated data such as volume, weight and address information is available for immediate recall and stored images can be used to prove shipping times and product condition. The information is safe, secure and cannot be manipulated, which reassures users and their customers. Camera systems interface easily with a wide range of sorter control systems, making them versatile and suitable for integration into existing applications. Built-in modems allow remote diagnostics for faultfi nding and software downloads, should updates be required.
Given these signifi cant benefi ts – reduced costs, increased effi ciency and improved service levels – it is not surprising that the past few years have seen thousands of camera systems sold to warehouses worldwide to provide a cost-effective long term solution to parcel processing. ■
www.amhsa.co.uk
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