Camera system helps control pallets

To prevent wood pallets from breaking down during transport and that all parts are present, inspection is very important. For a comprehensive check, Pallet Pooling and manufacturing company Pooling Partners has developed a hypersensitive camera that checks the pallets.

The Optical QS, developed by Pooling Partners itself, provides a quality assurance that is much needed. Through the check, the system ensures that delays and hold-ups in the logistics process are avoided. The newly developed system is unique in the world and is now being used at a Phoenix plant in Hasselt.

Preventing delays
Commercial director Erik Faber sees many advantages for the logistics industry. "Deviating pallets are a major cause of delays in automated logistics flows. A delay or even complete stoppage can be very costly for our customers. Thanks to our camera system, such situations are prevented."

Safety for workers
Besides the time benefits, the system also reduces labour. The entry check, which is done manually by employees, is no longer necessary. In addition, better pallets ensure that products being transported no longer break down during the logistics process. Less dangerous situations also arise for workers when the quality of pallets goes up, as pallets that are not fully functional are filtered through the system.

Requirements
Pooling Partners' camera checks that pallets meet requirements during the production process. The system checks whether all required parts are present and attached in the right place. If this is not the case, the pallet is removed from the production line and manually corrected by an employee. Faber explains that the speed at which pallets are made can sometimes cause problems for employees. "Our pallets are manufactured at a speed of up to 600 pallets per hour. At this production speed, human control is no longer sufficient to ensure consistent quality."

Editorial LogistiekProfs