Sensing more: anti-collision technology for mobile applications

SICK has developed the S3000 Anti Collision safety laser scanner for mobile applications which allows two or more industrial trucks to be used in one narrow aisle for the first time due to a sensing range up to 15 m.

Demand meet solution

Logistics companies often face rising demands for increased throughput rates and more flexibility but have found that they are unable to meet it because they are not permitted to use more than one vehicle in the same aisle simultaneously. A narrow aisle is a form of high-bay warehouse where the aisles are so tight that two people would not be able to pass one another. If industrial trucks are used in such narrow spaces, the vehicle is unable to maintain the required minimum distance from the storage rack (0.5 m). In this type of high-bay warehouse, vehicles and humans are not permitted to be in the same aisle at the same time. These warehouses are also required to adhere to the technical measures set out in DIN 15185-2 which states that additional protection for staff must be provided for a worst-case scenario.

Why is this restriction in place? When two vehicles are moving towards each other at relative speed, a large protective field range must be in place to ensure that the vehicles can be brought safely to a stop, even when traveling at full speed. In their bid to provide reliable protection against collision, companies must make sure that a long enough stopping distance can be guaranteed. SICK’s S3000 Anti Collision scanner can ensure just that.

Safety plus more throughput

Working closely with Jungheinrich, SICK developed the S3000 Anti Collision mobile personnel safety system (PSA) that is able to safely detect both vehicles and humans. SICK is familiar with the subject of ‘collision protection’. In outdoor environments like container terminals, SICK’s 2D laser scanners enable collision-free operation of cranes and containers throughout the world. This new addition to their portfolio for industrial applications can safely detect oncoming vehicles in its target range spanning up to 15 m thanks to a separate field — the ‘collision protection field’.

At the same time, the device monitors a permanent protective field of up to 7 m to safely detect human presence.

Motion control: only scanning what is absolutely necessary

Working in conjunction with the Flexi Soft modular safety controller and the Flexi Soft Drive Monitor, the S3000 Anti Collision provides users with the opportunity to use speed-dependent switching: if one of the safety fields is breached, the scanner transmits a signal to the vehicle control unit, requesting it to reduce the vehicle’s speed. The Drive Monitor registers the reduction in speed and shares this information with the scanner, which then reduces the field width in accordance with the speed. If a further infraction occurs, the speed is reduced once again or the vehicle is stopped straight away. However, the vehicle is only stopped when actually necessary. This reduces strain on the system while also helping to improve efficiency.