Data Capture Archives

MultiScan Master Data Solution Available

Posted on 30 November, 20234 August, 2025 by David Priestman

Knapp, leading technology partner for value chains, is making its MultiScan master data capture system available to customers through short-term rental or outright purchase.

MultiScan is an intelligent and customisable master data capture solution. As well as acquiring article dimensions, MultiScan features integrated weight recording and can also capture other data such as fragility and stackability. The solution records all the data needed to optimise the utilisation of storage space and the efficiency of fulfilment operations.

“The MultiScan system can be particularly beneficial for companies handling seasonal or promotional items of stock,” explained Ben Carroll, IT Business Development Manager for Knapp UK, “as well as for retailers or 3PLs working with multiple vendors, smaller warehouse operators looking to boost efficiency in their e-fulfilment operations or organisations needing to capture article data for robotic systems.”

Maximum efficiency

As well as enhancing manual warehouse operations, capturing accurate master data is essential for automating material flows and achieving maximum efficiency through digitalisation of work processes. MultiScan automatically records all relevant data for an application, transmitting the information to the WMS or ERP system to enable optimal warehouse management. By maximising space utilisation – in totes, on shelves and in racking – and optimising the efficiency of packing operations by fitting more items into each carton or bag, MultiScan enables warehouse operators to achieve environmental benefits and lower transport costs. In addition, improving fulfilment efficiency – by requiring fewer visits to each location and fewer tote retrievals – means shorter picking times for both automated and manual systems, thereby improving the customer experience.

Accurate and versatile

MultiScan is suitable for a wide range of articles and records data with consistent accuracy. Optional precision scales and digital callipers enable measurement of smaller items, starting at 0.01mm and 0.5g. Another accessory, SCANtape, allows wireless measurement and identification of goods sized up to 3m. Further accessories include a bar code scanner and an industrial camera for high-resolution product photos, which can be directly interfaced to merchandising systems. An optional cart and battery mean that MultiScan can be used for mobile operations for up to 16 hours between charging, with the advantage that a 1-hour charge returns the battery to 80% capacity.

Intuitive operation

Featuring intuitive design, MultiScan enables rapid operation and avoids the need for lengthy training. Items can be placed anywhere on the measuring plate and data is captured quickly and automatically at the push of a button. The design is rugged and ergonomic, making it simple to use even when wearing gloves. “The solution’s software is compatible with any end device,” added Ben Carroll, “as well as with various interfaces and all common operating systems. MultiScan is also compatible with KNAPP’s AI-enabled KiSoft Genomix software in order to capture additional attributes and accelerate the process.”

IO-Link for Auto-ID Devices

Posted on 27 November, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

SICK has pioneered the addition of IO-Link to two of its most compact and industry-standard identification devices. Both the SICK CLV61X fixed-mount 1D bar code reading scanner and the RFU61X UHF RFID read/write device were first to market with IO-Link variants, enhancing the integration versatility of SICK’s identification portfolio.

Both the SICK CLV61X and the RFU61X are already well known for their compact dimensions and wide-ranging connectivity with standard communications interfaces. The addition of IO-Link opens up opportunities to configure edge integrations with other IO-Link sensors and IO-Link Masters. It promises to improve data transparency from the lowest field level right up to the Cloud.
With IO-Link, using either device for identification also presents an opportunity to reduce cabling significantly, lowering costs and enabling more efficient installation. IO-Link also facilitates rapid commissioning, as well as easy device replacement.

IO-Link Integrations ‘Make Sense’

“It is rare for identification devices to be used in isolation,” explains Darren Pratt, SICK’s Market Product Manager for Identification. “They are almost always used with presence detection sensors for triggering or measurement sensors for classifying or measuring. Such sensors now frequently use IO-Link to provide access to additional data for diagnostic purposes. So, it makes sense for the customer to use IO-Link for their identification devices, too. Using IO-Link results in a common interface infrastructure with low-cost plug-and-play cabling, while still providing access to diagnostic data and enabling configuration via the communications network.”

Both the CLV61X and the RFU61X already offer highly-versatile connectivity with Ethernet/IP and PROFINET protocols, and an option for a single Power-over-Ethernet connection. Both devices offer a direct connection option for a trigger sensor.

Excellent Reading Performance

THE CLV 61X’s is used in many industries thanks to its highly-reliable 1D code reading performance across a wide reading field even at short distances, ideal for many common identification tasks on a conveyor belt. With SMART620 code reconstruction, even damaged, contaminated and partially-obscured barcodes are read consistently. Some CLV61X variants come with integrated heating in order to work reliably even in deep-freeze environments down to -35 °C.

Compact and Rugged

The smallest industrial UHF RFID read/write device of its kind, the SICK RFU61X needs an installation space of just 80 x 92 x 38 mm and achieves an impressive scanning range up to 0.5metres. The innovative design of the SICK RFU61X combines in-built antenna, intelligent control and connectivity into a single, rugged, IP67 aluminium housing. Compact and economic integration into tight spaces is therefore assured because there is no need for a separate connection box, and cabling is minimised.

The SICK RFU61X is ideal for applications such as tracking of smaller parts, sub-assemblies and electronic components, materials handling in e-Kanban processes, identifying pallets on a roller conveyor, or monitoring consignment transfers onto smaller Automated Guided Vehicles and Carts.

Off-Site Configuration Options

Pratt concludes: “The choice of identification device depends very much on the individual applications, with RFID devices offering a solution in dirty and dusty environments, where direct line-of-sight is obscured or where identification data needs to be both written and read. Increasingly, operators are choosing to have a section of conveyor configured off-site, including barcode scanners, RFID and photocells. With these two IO-Link devices, the wiring concept can be much more straightforward so on-site installation and commissioning is much quicker and easier.”

Autonomous Data Capture

Posted on 23 November, 202329 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Stock-taking in a warehouse is a time-consuming, manual process. Until now. David Priestman visited a British supplier of a robotic alternative.

Real-time data, including inventory, enables structural visibility in logistics, which leads to better resource allocation, reduced downtime and improved customer service. Dexory’s robot (pictured) automated inventory management, providing instant, continuous data. It can scan a medium-sized distribution centre in two hours, whereas doing it manually could take months. It corrects WMS errors and provides a ‘digital twin’ of the facility with 3D mapping.

Dexory offer this on a subscription model – RaaS, or robots-as-a-service – with no capital investment required. The company’s target are tier 1 customers with multiple locations, including third party logistics (3PL) firms, often with shared-user facilities. Maersk and Schenker have both invested in Dexory and Maersk are also using the product. I visited the production and demonstration site in Wallingford, Oxfordshire to understand why the company is making such rapid progress.

Tatiana Kalinina, VP of Sales, told me that Dexory has grown from 17 staff last summer to a likely 100 by this Christmas. She describes the machine as an ‘autonomous data capture unit’. The new model (RE4) is silent, handles precarious routes well and fully navigates a 3D space. The stopping distance is amendable and it can move around obstacles. It features an emergency stop button, though Kalinina says that has never needed to be used.

At 3.25m high the RE4 extends to 12m and can thereby scan up to 13.5m in a warehouse. Future models will be even taller. It lights up in a pleasant way and can work through the night. On average there are 16 LiDAR (light detection and ranging) cameras on each robot but sometimes up to 20. The LiDARs scan and produces high-res photos. The bot utilises a wireless docking station (supplied by Wiferion) for charging and recognises when it needs to charge, with an 8-hour battery life. Customers can choose bespoke options (such as height), their own livery colours or ‘skin’ and give the bot a nickname. It is easy to see why the bots are popular with warehouse workers.

“3PLs can invest in our system knowing this helps them to win business,” Kalinina told me. “We test each machine here with the customer’s bar codes before shipping it out to their site,” she added. Quality assurance testing of the tower extensions and cables, for example, is done here in Wallingford before shipment, vertically, using specially-designed transport trailers. Training and final testing is then done at the customer’s site, with remote monitoring and diagnostics provided.

All the design is done at this centre, as well as 3D printing of various plastic and carbon-fibre parts. The cameras are bought in, as are the batteries. The base is made first, then the tower. The target is to produce one robot per day by next year, in order to meet demand, and Dexory is scaling-up to that level. The whole unit weighs 600kg. It can work in ambient temperatures and within chilled areas of DCs, anything above zero degrees as the cameras cannot operate in frozen environments.

Dexory View

The platform that the robots work on is called ‘Dexory View’ (see image). This provides web-based reports, data interpretation and visualisation. KPIs can be measured. “It provides the capability to optimize your warehouse,” Kalinina explained. “It’s a Digital Twin – a like-for-like copy of your DC. All the aisles and location numbers are inputted in the first week of installation.” Given installation is usually just a week, quicker than for AMRs or AGVs, there are low barriers to entry. “There’s very little we ask for from customers,” she informed. “We do all the mapping for them and build the optimal path through the DC.”

A 2D ‘birds eye’ view is provided, which is intuitive to use and has zoom functions. Red is used to highlight errors detected. Options include not scanning reserve stock or very slow-moving products on site. Customers can choose which items are scanned daily. Dexory View provides a summary of each scan: time taken, locations scanned, missing items, places occupied with the incorrect item, unreadable barcodes, wrong items, put-away accuracy, volumetrics and more. It truly is ‘big data’ in action.

Warehouse managers can therefore compare, on a daily basis, each metric and see the trends – for example replenishment and stock turnover. These statistics can then be compared across different warehouses operated by the customer for best practice targets. The 3D view shows every location, with each one clickable and showing a photo. This enables errors to be checked and escalated without physically visiting the aisle in question. Tasks can be allocated from these findings. A photo scan of the whole aisle is also provided.

“We eliminate manual, repetitive tasks,” Kalinina concluded, “and provide a single source of the truth, alongside WMS and ERP, because of the regularity of scans. The bigger the facility, the greater the benefits and efficiencies.”

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