Manufacturing Machinery World - July 2020

NEW PRODUCTS – NEW PRODUCTS – NEW PRODUCTS
SICK SensorApps HELP PEOPLE
TO KEEP THEIR DISTANCE
Responding to the need for technologies to slow
the spread of Covid-19, SICK has developed
PeopleCounter and DistanceGuard SensorApps
which help to ensure that people keep to the
recommended distance apart in working and
public spaces.
The SICK PeopleCounter is a SensorApp
based on a machine learning algorithm running
on SICK’s MRS1000 3D LiDAR sensor. One or
more sensors can be easily set up to count
people at entry and exit points, or allow users to
control the number of people occupying a predefined
area in real time. Because the system
can reliably detect human contours, while
ignoring other objects, customers or workers
are counted accurately as they enter or leave
buildings or other pre-defined spaces.
The PeopleCounter works by using a
specially-developed on-board algorithm to
evaluate the point-cloud data generated by the
MRS1000. Because the SensorApp can use data
from the MRS1000’s four 275° scanning layers
to determine direction of movement, the
number of people in a monitored area can be
updated in real time. The system can identify
more than one person in parallel independent
of their direction (In or Out) within a range of
up to 3.5 m.
As it only sees the human outline, the SICK
PeopleCounter is able to process data at highspeeds
and is completely anonymous with no
need to detect or record any personal location
or identification data. A master/slave mode
makes it possible to combine several LiDAR
Scanners to track larger areas with multiple
entry and exit points, such as shopping centres,
airports or stations.
With eight multifunctional digital
input/output connections on the device, the
system can easily be set up to keep track of the
number of people via mobile, PC and cloudbased
systems, as well as integrating with wider
controls or security systems where necessary.
SICK’s Social DistanceGuard App works on
the SICK TiM 2D LiDAR Sensor to monitor
areas where the recommended distance
between people must be upheld, e.g. in a queue,
and provide an alert if they are too close. A
signal, in the form of a light, audible alarm, or
visual signal is triggered as soon as the distance
between two people falls short of the minimum.
The on-device settings can be used to input
or change the required distance at any time. The
presence of people can be detected and
evaluated thanks to the SICK TiM’s 270°
scanning capability and range up to 25 metres.
SICK’s UK Product Manager for Imaging,
Measurement and Ranging, Neil Sandhu
commented: “SICK’s rapid response to develop
social distance monitoring technologies was
enabled by the versatility of the AppSpace
software development platform that facilitates
the rapid development of plug-and-play
solutions.
“When combined with SICK’s
programmable, high-performance LiDAR
scanning technology, the result is simple, selfcontained
devices that are quick to install, and
easy for customers to integrate into wider
customer control or monitoring systems.
“We’d be delighted to hear from any
customers who have ideas for further
applications that could be adapted to provide
technology solutions during the current
pandemic.”
01727 831121
andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.
www.sick.co.uk
NEW
TRANSPARENT
PRESSURE
TANKS
The newly launched CT Series clear pressure
tanks from SR-TEK are reducing research and
development time by allowing engineers and
scientists to observe reactions and make
changes in real-time.
Composed of toughened Borosilicate glass
or Acrylic, the new CT Series can be pressurised
up to four bars, come in 0.5L, 2L, 5L and 10L
sizes and are the only commercially available
transparent pressure vessels.
More than 150 have already been sold for
use in research and development with a further
250 being used in the manufacture of
automotive and electronic parts, for precision
dispensing of adhesives and sealants and
lubricant spraying.
Major global manufacturers including ABB,
BMW, Mitsui Components, Teledyne, Johnson
& Johnson, and Morgan Plc are already making
use of the transparent pressure vessels.
The CT Series is the latest in a number of
advanced pressure tanks developed by SR-TEK.
Loris Medart founded the business in 2014
following a 15-year career in the fluid industry
having become frustrated with the limited
functionality of existing vessels. He said: “All
too often I’d find that complex manufacturing
systems were let down by pressure tanks that
were no more complex or refined than a giant
paint pot. This was fine for 1970s style mass
production when fluids were simple and cheap,
but proves costly and unproductive in the
modern era of small-batch, agile manufacturing
and high-cost composite fluids.
“To combat this we’ve created a range of
carefully engineered small and large scale
vessels that reduce fluid waste, improve
efficiency and are cost-comparative to existing
models.”
Loris continued: “The CT Series takes this to
a higher level by allowing developers,
engineers and manufacturers to monitor and
adjust conditions in real-time, halving
development and testing time and speeding up
maintenance and monitoring.”
The CT Series is made from stainless steel
303 (316 available on request), Acrylic or
toughened glass and can be fitted with
detection, monitoring and agitation.
www.smartreservoirs.com
24 Manufacturing Machinery World, July 2020