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Autonomous vehicles, also known as robots, have become indispensable in smart warehouses and factory automation, where they significantly enhance logistics operations and boost overall efficiency. Unlike traditional road-based vehicles, robots in industrial environments benefit from controlled conditions that facilitate the implementation of advanced robotics technologies. Autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) are a key part of smart logistics, navigating these spaces using electromagnetic chips or optical floor markings to ensure precise and safe operation.
However, fully automating warehouse operations comes with challenges, especially due to the time-consuming and costly infrastructure investments. Marking smart warehouse or factory floors can disrupt regular operations and add to the overall costs of transitioning to automated systems.
Addressing these challenges, Solid-3D, a robotics company dedicated to advancing warehouse and manufacturing automation, presents its innovative solution: the Mark.One robotic system. This cutting-edge robot is a mobile platform equipped with high-precision positioning technology, capable of pasting stickers on any surface with sub-millimeter precision. This capability not only improves accuracy, efficiency, and safety in warehouse navigation but also offers versatility in various applications.
Beyond floor marking, the Mark.One robot is equipped with a high-precision drill that allows for the accurate placement of racks, equipment, and other fixtures in smart warehouses and factories, ultimately improving operational efficiency and flexibility in factory automation processes.
At the heart of the Mark.One robot lies its sophisticated vision system, enabling precise positioning of markers on the floor. “The challenge was to create a highly compact system including camera, lens, lighting, and processing computer within the very limited space, weight, and power available on such a small autonomous vehicle,” explains Claudiu Tanasescu, CEO of Solid-3D.
The vision system comprises a uEye UI-1250LE USB camera from IDS. This ultra-small and lightweight camera features a 1.92 Megapixel CMOS sensor with a 4.5µm pixel pitch. Equipped with an 8mm optical lens, the camera captures sharp images essential for precise marker placement. This vision system ensures consistent performance even in varying lighting conditions, making it ideal for modern smart logistics environments. The captured images are processed by Solid-3D’s proprietary DVI Vision software running on a Raspberry Pi CM4 embedded computer.
“Our main challenge for the whole camera-lens system was to keep the total height to a minimum as the measuring frame does not offer a lot of space for the installation. At the same time, we needed to achieve a big enough field of view for the inspection part of the sticker pasting process,” said Bogdan Chelu, Head of Hardware for Solid-3D.
Critical to the success of the vision system is the TAMRON M118FM08 lens, chosen for its compatibility with the camera’s sensor and its compact footprint. With a diameter of only 29mm and a length of 44.8mm, the TAMRON lens delivers exceptional optical performance while meeting the space constraints of the Mark.One robot. The M118FM series features highly durable fixed focal lenses for industrial applications, available in six focal lengths ranging from 6mm to 50mm. Renowned for their durability and precision, TAMRON lenses ensure consistent image quality, essential for the robot’s operational success.
“Our engineering team had good experience with TAMRON lenses in the past in industrial applications, so we gladly accepted IDS’ recommendation along with the camera,” Bogdan Chelu recalls. Like most machine vision camera manufacturers, IDS distributes TAMRON lenses as selected camera accessories for their rugged design, high precision, and industrial durability, making it a perfect match for industrial environments, particularly in smart warehouse and factory automation settings.
The Mark.One robot has already demonstrated its capabilities in the field, successfully implemented in partnership with GreyOrange, a global leader in automatic fulfillment and inventory optimization. The deployment of 2,000 floor codes showcased the robot’s precision and efficiency, validating its role in enhancing warehouse operations.
Marcel Quang, Senior Engineer at GreyOrange, commends Solid-3D’s technology, stating, “Working with Solid-3D has been a game changer for our business. The accuracy and efficiency of their barcode pasting robots are truly impressive. Our robots are running smoothly over the codes they’ve placed, and we’ve received great feedback from our customers.”
Looking ahead, Solid-3D aims to expand its fleet of robots and enhance its technology further. With plans to release the next generation of the Mark.One robot in 2024, the company remains committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions for warehouse and manufacturing automation. As Solid-3D continues its journey, one thing remains certain: its reliance on TAMRON high-precision optics will persist, ensuring the continued success of its robotic solutions.
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