Bridging the Gap Between Manual Handling and Smart Automation
In many warehouses and production sites, the handover between manual labour and automated operations presents a daily challenge. Manually placed pallets are sometimes positioned off-coordinate, which creates problems for mobile robots that rely on precise location data to pick up and transport loads. These misalignments can lead to failed docking attempts, delays, and reduced productivity.
To solve this, Kollmorgen launched NDC Flex in 2023, which is a flexible solution designed to bridge the gap between AGVs and AMRs. One of its key capabilities, Dynamic Load Docking, enables vehicles to detect and align with the actual position of pallet loads in real time, regardless of placement accuracy.
Technology That Aligns: A Strategic Collaboration with ifm
After evaluating alternative solutions, Kollmorgen identified ifm’s 3D camera technology as the optimal choice—meeting the technical requirements and aligning with Kollmorgen’s strategic vision for future innovations. This led to a focused collaboration to integrate ifm’s pick solution into the Dynamic Load Docking capability.
As part of this effort, Kollmorgen added support for camera integration within the system software. This enhancement enables vehicles to handle off-coordinate pallet placements with precision, ensuring smoother and more reliable handovers between human and automated operations.
Collaborative Engineering in Action
The collaboration between Kollmorgen and ifm began with a series of productive technical meetings and hands-on testing sessions. ifm provided access to their equipment, and their application engineer worked closely with Kollmorgen to integrate the camera into the system. Thanks to strong teamwork and open communication, the team quickly aligned on the necessary steps to incorporate the technology into the system software.
Today, the camera communicates directly with the truck through its video-process unit, enabling dynamic route adjustments based on real-time data—bringing smarter automation to your operations.
Smarter Docking, Seamless Operations—Now Available
By adding this capability, you won’t compromise on high throughput or operational efficiency. Thanks to Kollmorgen’s extensive global partner network, this functionality is readily available to support smarter, more resilient automation—wherever your operations are.
