Clever Combination: Nominated for the Automation Award 2013

Pepperl+Fuchs: Optical color band tracking used for driving, Data Matrix codes used for positioning and control codes used for navigation. The PGV positioning system is the only product that offers this combination, making it the optimal solution for controlling automated guided vehicles.

Thanks to the camera system's powerful, integrated signal processing facility, the X and Y position, the speed, the angle, and the operating status are accurately detected at all times and are continuously reported. The wide reading window can cope with any branches, crossovers, and even tight curves with precise position feedback at all times.

Uniquely Insensitive

The PGV's revolutionary camera technology makes it completely insensitive to ambient light. Even dirt on or damage to the color band or codes do not trouble the PGV. Shiny floors, changing ambient light, and strong light reflections interfere with conventional optical positioning systems, since they do not have a balanced selection of aperture, lens, and shutter speed. On the new PGV positioning system, the optical components are purely focused on the "region of interest" and the aperture and shutter speed selected are coordinated with optimum lighting. This makes overexposure a physical impossibility, and means that the ambient light cannot impair the reading performance. The color band for route tracking, for which any width and color can be selected, therefore no longer needs to be optically differentiated from the floor covering with contrast bands.

Reliable Processes in All Areas

With its superior hardware and software, the PGV delivers excellent process reliability, flexible handling, and cost efficiency. The integrated universal interface for all standard fieldbuses and process control systems provides the positioning system with plug&play connectivity. In short, it is the perfect solution for automated guided vehicles in intralogistics, material handling, the automotive industry, the print and paper industry, healthcare, and many other areas.

Highlights

• Reliable and efficient production processes with Data Matrix codes and color bands being combined for the first time
• Safe transport of goods using continuous position feedback and positioning
• Universal, since any color bands can be used for route tracking
• Large reading window can cope with tight curves
• Insensitive to damage to and dirt on the color band and code tape
• No moving parts in the sensor guarantee a long service life
• Environmental influences have no impact thanks to the high-quality LED lighting
• User-friendly and simple commissioning process

About Pepperl+Fuchs

Pepperl+Fuchs is a leading developer and manufacturer of electronic sensors and components for the global automation market. For more than 60 years, our continuous innovation, high quality products, and steady growth have guaranteed us continued success.

One Company – Two Divisions

Pepperl+Fuchs – PROTECTING YOUR PROCESS

The Process Automation Division is a market leader in intrinsically safe explosion protection. We offer comprehensive, application-oriented system solutions, including customer-specific control cabinet solutions for the process industry. A large portfolio of components is available from our various product lines: isolated barriers, fieldbus infrastructure solutions, remote I/O systems, HART interface solutions, level measurement devices, purge and pressurization systems, industrial monitors and HMI solutions, power supplies, separator alarm systems for oil and petrol separators, signaling equipment, lighting as well as emergency shutdown equipment and accessories.

Pepperl+Fuchs – SENSING YOUR NEEDS

With the invention of the inductive proximity sensor in 1958, the company set an important milestone in the development of automation technology. Under the motto “Sensing your needs”, customers benefit from tailor-made sensor solutions for factory automation. The main target markets of the factory automation are machine and plant construction, the automotive industry, storage and material handling, printing and paper
industry, packaging technology, process equipment, door, gate and elevator construction, mobile equipment, renewable energies. The division offers a wide product range of industrial sensors whether it’s inductive, photoelectric or ultrasonic sensors, rotary encoders, identification systems, barcodes, code readers for data-matrix-codes and vision sensors.