Materials Handling
3D visual mapping
Effective silo volume measurement can create cost savings and improved inventory control. Katrien Geerinckx reports.
T
raditional methods of inventory measurement of bulk solids inside silos and warehouses include either single-point level measurement technologies such as capacitance switches and mechanical rotary paddles, which are used as alarms switches, or continuous level measurement such as ultrasonic, radar, laser, plumb bobs (manual or electronic), and ropes. These technologies yield estimates of the levels of stored bulk solids but provide unreliable measures of volume, especially in large silos and warehouses.
Limitations Due to the limitations of basing estimates on sampling a single point on the material surface, these technologies have inherent accuracy error that can be on the order of 20 per cent or more, and which may translate into higher investments in safety stock, excess ordering costs, and non-optimal usage of storage capacity. Nuclear technology has been used for real-time
inventory measurement, but has rarely been adopted because of major on-site complications related to licensing, safety, material deterioration, and other factors. These limitations can be overcome by acoustic
volume mapping instrumentation, which utilises 3D scanning technology to provide precise silo volume measurement.
Acoustic volume mapping The CONTOUR acoustic volume mapping device from Magnetrol, accurately detects random surface irregularities and material build-up on silo walls, enabling the visualisation of true consumption over time. More importantly, the accurate volumetrics generated by acoustic volume mapping allow inventory managers to realise cost savings from two sources: the reduction of stock levels, which can decrease inventory carrying costs; and the removal of labour-intensive inventory management processes.
Fig. 1. (Top) and 2. (Bottom) 3D visual mapping enables you to visualise true material consumption in your bins and silos.
Fig. 3. The minimum inventory level is inflated by the maximum possible positive measurement error, guaranteeing that any stock-outs are not due to measurement error.
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