Machine Vision – More Efficiency in Logistics and Supply Chain

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The number of packages being distributed continues to rise. Companies in logistics and the supply chain must pick up, pack, sort, label, and ship large quantities of products. And then there are also many returned packages. Operations need to be more efficient and precise, while the number of employees is not increasing.

In fact, the workforce is decreasing. It is challenging for logistics companies to find enough employees. On the other hand, human labor is expensive and less efficient than machines. Humans also cannot visually inspect packaging as accurately. Could machine vision be a welcome solution here?

What is Machine Vision?

Machine vision is a technology that uses sensors, cameras, and advanced software to scan packages or pallets with a barcode. The system creates high-quality images, stores them, and assesses whether the data, such as dimensions, barcode placement, and readability, meets specific parameters.

This technology operates based on deep learning & AI.

Machine vision significantly improves efficiency and reliability in barcode reading. When widely deployed, machine vision offers many advantages for the logistics and supply chain market.

Machine Vision in E-commerce

E-commerce, a sector characterized by a lot of manual work, is undergoing a revolution. Scanners equipped with machine vision technology are mounted at fixed locations on a packing table or conveyor belt. The packages pass by the scanner, which reads and assesses the labels or barcodes.

Benefits of Machine Vision and Fixed Scanners

Machine vision and fixed scanners offer three key benefits that allow organizations to achieve significant efficiency gains:

  1. Speed: Loading and unloading are much faster because machine vision solutions read and assess barcodes 100% accurately in a fraction of a second.
  2. Fewer errors: Automated barcode systems equipped with machine vision enhance the entire supply chain. They can read and assess barcodes infinitely faster and more accurately than humans. They learn from every package that passes by and continuously improve. They see, measure, and assess in a fraction of a second whether a package has the right color, if the barcode quality is adequate, and if the dimensions are correct.
  3. Cost savings: Streamlined processes can increase productivity while reducing errors, resulting in lower costs.

Application Examples of Machine Vision

Curious about how machine vision and fixed scanners can advance your organization? Here are a few examples.

  • Fixed Scanner on Forklift

Currently, when a forklift driver picks up a package, they have to lean out (or maybe even step out of the forklift) to scan a barcode. With a fixed scanner on the forklift’s forks, the driver works more comfortably, faster, and better. They only need to drive past the package, as the fixed scanner will scan it thanks to machine vision. The forklift driver can see on their truck terminal or handheld terminal if a package does not fully meet the requirements.

  • Barcodes on Electronic Components

The components of electronics are sometimes tiny. Yet, each individual part is equipped with a barcode that is almost impossible for humans to read. In a fixed setup, there is no delay, as the fixed scanner reads these tiny barcodes effortlessly.

  • Fixed Scanners at the Loading Dock

When a truck arrives at a loading dock, the receiver not only wants to check the barcodes but also inspect the boxes for any damage. Additionally, a receiver might care about quality and want all boxes to have the exact right color. Such quality requirements are easily managed by fixed scanners during the inspection.

Machine vision from Dalosy

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