At POWTECH 2023: Digital Material Management with 3D LiDAR

Blickfeld solutions offer digital volume measurement of bulk materials based on 3D LiDAR technology. Accurate volume measurement is a key component of inventory tracking and bulk material management. However, inventory monitoring in powder and bulk storage facilities is challenging for many industries, as existing mechanical systems do not provide the required accuracy. Blickfeld’s 3D LiDAR technology and complementary software enable efficient digital inventory management across multiple sites through accurate and reliable real-time data to continuously support demand, production and distribution planning.

Take advantage of the overall dynamics offered by POWTECH, the leading exhibition for experts in powder and bulk solids technology. This event provides a presentation platform for innovations and advancements in processes for the manufacture of quality products made and processed from powder, granules, bulk solids and liquids – also for the environmental and recycling sector. Good reasons for visiting 1. 360° view of processing technologies Enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the entire process chain of mechanical processing technologies and talk with the best minds in the industry about the latest developments for the analysis, size reduction, screening, mixing, conveying, dosing and compacting of powder, granules, bulk solids and liquids. Whether energy efficiency, sustainability, gentle handling or process optimisation – as a driver of innovation, POWTECH always puts the spotlight on the hot topics in the processing technology sector. 2. Distinct focus on powder, granulation and bulk solids technology and the processing of fluids and liquids The compact layout provides easy access to the leading suppliers of basic processing technologies for powder, bulk solids and liquids: Whether you are looking for plant engineering, processing components, equipment for measuring, control and automation, nanoparticle technology products, safety and environmental technology or services for mechanical processing technologies, you are guaranteed to find what you need. 3. The perfect platform for live demonstrations, dialogue and new contacts POWTECH is more than just an exhibition. It’s where exhibits are tested live and specific solutions are developed with keen interest. Direct exchanges between experts mean that discussions are held on a level playing field and challenges are addressed directly from the ground up. This results in genuinely valuable and sustainable new contacts and business relationships. POWTECH is also the perfect stage for the next generation: As well as the key players, innovative young start-ups also present their new processes and product developments for the successful future of the industry. 4. Inspiration for tomorrow’s processing technologies Do you find that meetings, deadlines and cost pressures leave you with no scope for creativity during your daily work routine? The POWTECH 2023 supporting programme opens new perspectives. Be inspired by new impulses in our Expert Forum, special shows and pavilions, including topics such as explosion protection, food life science technologies, mandatory serialisation, and cleanroom technology. 5. POWTECH – the industry barometer 477 exhibitors from 29 countries and 7,688 trade visitors at the restart of POWTECH in 2022 underscore its importance for nearly all segments of industry, but especially chemicals, pharmaceuticals, metals and food. The process engineering supply chain continues to be a robust growth market. In 2023, POWTECH will reflect the fact that in many sectors, powder and bulk solids processing is being combined with fluid and liquid technologies to form an integrated process, and therefore the event specifically incorporates the processing and handling of liquids in its product range. Moreover, the important industrial sectors of cosmetics and batteries are being included in the exhibition for the first time. So don’t miss out. Make sure you are also part of the 2023 event with its new topics and technologies.

3D LiDAR provides real-time bulk material inventory information, contributing to improved deliverability, cost savings, and process automation. More and more industries are using 3D LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensor technology to measure the volume of bulk materials. Here’s how it works: Laser pulses are used to create a three-dimensional image, a so-called point cloud, of the surface of the stored bulk materials, from which software can calculate the current volume of the inventory at any time and register additions or withdrawals in real-time. Employees thus have precise inventory information at their disposal at all times. Therefore, they can inform customers about currently available quantities and always send trucks to warehouses with sufficient stock, thus avoiding unnecessary journeys. Previous measurement methods were inaccurate Until now, companies have mostly estimated their bulk material volume by eye, weighed incoming and outgoing material on conveyor wheels or weight bridges, or taken only point measurements with laser scanners or drones. All these methods involve considerable effort

The solution for real-time inventory tracking, awarded with the Best of Technology Award 2023 presented by Wirtschaftswoche, paves the way for companies toward the digital supply chain. Blickfeld, a developer and manufacturer of cutting-edge LiDAR technology, has won the Best of Technology Award 2023 in the Purchase & Supply Chain Management category with a digital solution for real-time volume measurement of material stocks. The award, presented by Wirtschaftswoche, a prominent German business magazine, in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Systems and Innovation Research (ISI), the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), and the consulting firm Capgemini, recognizes companies for the most innovative IT applications and disruptive digital solutions. Inventory levels accessible at any time Blickfeld’s award-winning solution is based on LiDAR technology, which utilizes state-of-the-art laser and semiconductor technology to enable precise real-time measurement of inventory levels (including bulk materials that are difficult to measure using traditional methods) and automates the transmission of results into an IoT ecosystem or a cloud.

Blickfeld announces the delivery of Qb2, the world’s first Smart LiDAR. The Blickfeld Percept software runs on an integrated computing module and provides all relevant data for volume monitoring of bulk solids. Qb2 is based on Blickfeld’s proprietary solid-state software-defined LiDAR technology, and, as an industry first, enables the capturing and processing of data on a single device, removing the need for additional computers and bringing faster insights, improved response times, and better bandwidth availability via edge computing. Companies benefit from high-efficiency gains through enriched, actionable real-time 3D data for example in the areas of volume monitoring of bulk materials automatically fed into their IT systems like the ERP or the cloud. Installation and maintenance costs and effort are kept low due to the on-device WiFi connectivity. Qb2 offers improved functionalities and performance parameters like enhanced adaptable field of view (FoV), detection range and scan pattern, plus higher resolution, accuracy and an IP67 rating. The Qb2 provides real-time insights allowing companies to plan better and make data-driven decisions. The technology makes