Aisle Alert System

Feb. 28, 2007
Non-contact, safety-rated system improves productivity and safety Minneapolis, Minn., SICK, one of the worlds leading manufacturers of sensors, safety

Non-contact, safety-rated system improves productivity and safety

Minneapolis, Minn., – SICK, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensors, safety systems and automatic identification products for factory and logistics automation, today announced its new Aisle Alert System – a safety solution for very narrow aisle (VNA) vehicles. The Aisle Alert System is comprised of non-contact, safety-rated Laser Bumpers and an evaluation unit. Mounted on the vehicle, the solution uses innovative laser technology to help protect pedestrians when industrial trucks are utilized in very narrow aisles (widths of less than seven feet).

SICK has teamed up with ELOKON, a market leader in VNA vehicle safety, to develop the Aisle Alert System for material handling applications.

Safety becomes even more important in warehouses and distribution centers that use very narrow aisle width configurations. Every year there are many avoidable injuries and accidents involving very narrow aisle trucks. Equipping the VNA machines with the Aisle Alert System can help eliminate those accidents and subsequent lost productivity. This solution also offers a wider sensing field than traditional, non-safety solutions, providing earlier detection of objects.

Using time-of-flight measurement, the distance to the detected object can be calculated by measuring the time difference between the emission of a laser light impulse and the receipt of the light impulse that is reflected off the object. If the data show the presence of a person or avoidable object in the truck’s path, the truck is safely decelerated, controlled to a crawl and, if required, stopped, prior to a collision.

About SICK
SICK is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensors, safety systems and automatic identification products for industrial applications. With nearly 450 patents, SICK continues to lead the industry in new product innovations. The diversity of its product line allows SICK to offer solutions at every phase of production in the robotics, automotive, packaging, electronics, food and beverage, and material handling markets. SICK was founded in 1946 and has operations or representation in 65 countries worldwide. www.sickusa.com