Sensor solutions for luggage transport
After baggage check-in, suitcases are usually sorted out of sight on conveyor belts, transport trays, etc. and transported to the appropriate gate for loading.
Baggage recognition on conveyor belt
Requirement:
Reliable object detection along the baggage conveyor, regardless of color and surface, with high insensitivity to ambient light, is essential in this application. Easy alignment with visible red light facilitates commissioning and maintenance.
Solution:
The powerful PRK 36D and RK 46C retro-reflective photoelectric sensors with a large, highly visible light spot or light band ensure reliable detection even in different environments.
Safeguarding access points
Requirement:
Access to the automated section and control components is important for maintenance, but must be safeguarded with appropriate safety sensors. Convenient operation directly on the sensor makes handling easier.
Solution:
Robust switches with the L300 safety locking device offer the required safeguarding combined with operating elements for easy handling. The rotating head allows flexible alignment of the actuator.
Belt control
Requirement:
For energy-efficient and demand-oriented control of conveyor belts, it is important to monitor their actual movement.
Solution:
There are several variants for this – one using standard sensors that scan an impeller: An optical fork GS04 or, in the case of a metal impeller, an inductive sensor mounted on the conveyor belt axis. Another option is to detect the movement using an encoder underneath the conveyor belt.
Code reading on luggage trays
Requirement:
The luggage items are assigned to the transport tray’s code and automatically transported to the corresponding destination. Codes must be read quickly and reliably along the conveyor. A line topology is preferable.
Solution:
Optical code readers with space-saving deflection mirrors and integrated network interface from the BCL 200i or BCL 300i series are optimized for this task. Other optical code reader versions are available.
Luggage tray identification
Requirement:
In some airports, luggage transport trays are identified with RFID transponders and automatically transported to the appropriate destination. Codes must be read quickly and reliably along the conveyor. A line topology is preferable.
Solution:
The RFID devices in the RDH 200 series are designed for such applications and, depending on the interface, are available for mounting on the side or underneath. Environmental conditions have much less influence on RFID technology than on optical code readers.