Feature

Improved volume measurement of conveyed materials from SICK

Measuring the volume and mass throughput of bulk materials on a conveyor belt has been made quicker and more accurate with the introduction of SICK’s LMS511 Bulkscan laser scanner.

15/06/2014 11:28:14

Operating inside or outside under any weather or industrial conditions, the LMS 511 provides bulk material processors, shippers and storage handlers with a real-time measurement system that is almost maintenance free.

The system uses SICK’s proven LMS infra-red laser scanning technology. The Bulkscan compares the material profile with the reference scan of the empty conveyor and the resulting cross-sectional area of the material is computed.

Using the measured speed of the belt and the material density value, the volume, mass and throughput of the materials can be quickly calculated. A highly-accurate real time mass flow or volume measurement is provided which offers commercial advantages for example, for revenue assessment, shipping weights or safe loading.

The use of a Class 1 laser means it is entirely safe for operatives without requiring safety enclosures. The SICK LMS511 Bulkscan is contained in a compact (155x155x159mm) IP67, weather proof, vibration-resistant housing, with an in-built heater which switches on automatically when the temperature drops below 5°C.

The LMS511 Bulkscan is easy to install and set up in vertical alignment for highly accurate bulk flow measurement, using the pulsed, time-of-flight laser measurement system with a 190o wide field of view. Commissioning is quick and easy using the free of charge SOPAS software which is used to configure many of SICK’s latest products.

A selection of interfaces are available for easy integration into the system architecture found on plant, including 6 configurable digital outputs, 2 digital inputs, analogue inputs/outputs and Ethernet interfaces.

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.