Application Notes

Application Note

Proximity Detection and Distance Measurement for

Manufacturing Conveyor Systems

The Challenge

Conveyor systems are used

extensively in vehicle

manufacturing and other industries

to move large parts and

assemblies through a variety of

steps on production lines. Various

system formats exist, primarily

overhead monorail conveyors, floor

conveyors, and automatic guided

vehicles / carts (AGV/AGC).

Regardless of the conveyor technology that is used, operators share common

needs. Guidance systems are required to ensure proper circulation and

placement. Moreover, safeguard systems must be in place to provide protection

and prevention against accidents, thus ensuring the safety of workers and

preventing damage to expensive, mission-critical machinery. Any incident on a

single production line can have a significant impact in terms of induced costs and

manufacturing delays.

A monorail conveyor manufacturer was experiencing performance and reliability

issues with the current detectors used in its systems. The company turned to

LeddarTech for a compact sensor that could be quickly integrated into existing

systems to ensure that products moving through the production line on the

conveyors remained at a safe distance from each other.

In these overhead monorail conveyors (also known as suspended or overhead

conveyors), each individual conveyor is equipped with its own motor drive and

controller so that it can move independently. In such systems, the distance

between transported items must be monitored constantly in real time and

maintained above certain minimum values to avoid any safety risks and potential

damage.

In this context, an efficient detection and ranging solution was required to

perform consistently in harsh, dusty environments as well as withstand the

movements, shocks and vibrations induced by the conveyor system itself.

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Application Note Proximity Detection and Distance Measurement for Manufacturing Conveyor Systems The Challenge Conveyor systems are used extensively in vehicle manufacturing and other industries to move large parts and assemblies through a variety of steps on production lines. Various system formats exist, primarily overhead monorail conveyors, floor conveyors, and automatic guided vehicles / carts (AGV/AGC). Regardless of the conveyor technology that is used, operators share common needs.
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LeddarTech’s Solution For this particular application, the LeddarOne Sensing Module is particularly effective as it is small enough (2”) to be easily incorporated into an individual conveyor train. The advanced optics in the LeddarOne—with its focused, yet conic beam—allow it to precisely detect objects and measure distances in the 0 to 65 ft. range. Moreover, its low price point makes it an excellent option, considering that multiple modules are required for this application.