Zone Control for 3PL
Zero pressure accumulation made easy
Just as traffic lights regulate the flow of traffic in towns and cities, SICK's ZoneControl solutions control the flow of products on a belt – without the need for a PLC or another type of external control. ZoneControl by SICK consists of three product families to control the flow of products. This procedure is called zero pressure accumulation (ZPA).
ZoneControl solutions are extremely easy to install (plug and play): Connect the ZoneControl products in series, install the sensor, and connect the pneumatic line or the connection to the motor-driven rollers. There is, therefore, no need for PLC programming, laptops, and expensive cabling.
Each product contains one of two types of startup logic: single feed (with or without sleep function) and block (slug) feed, depending on the requirements of the application. So that the various requirements can be met, there are three mounting configurations to choose from: mounting between the rollers (R/IR), mounting on the side frame (ZLM), or mounting above the belt (WLR)
At a glance
Three mounting types: mounting between the rollers (R/IR), mounting on the side frame (ZLM), or mounting above the belt (WLR)
- Three types of logic: single feed, single feed with sleep function, block (slug) feed
- Up to 50 ZoneControl solutions can be connected in series.
- Fully animated simulation to ease selection and implementation
- Standard cut lengths of 1 m (3 ft) or 2 m (6 ft)
Applications
Automated Load Picking and Transfer
GL6 or GRL18S photoelectric retro-reflective sensors are used on automated guided vehicles (AGV) for position and protrusion monitoring and in other tasks related to tote load picking and transfer. An IRT photoelectric proximity sensor between the rollers of the infeed starts or stops the transport of the totes.
GRL18S
Conveying and Zone Control without Dynamic Pressure
Zero pressure accumulation ensures a controlled material flow within the logistics process. Different objects with critical and non-critical as well as light and dark surfaces must be detected with equal reliability. The ability to transmit output signals to the external control unit is also important. Photoelectric retro-reflective sensors or multitask photoelectric sensors that can be integrated into the conveying system provide an optimal solution for this application.
ZoneControl - No need for PLC or external control
G6 - Economic Photoelectric Sensors
