Autonomous radar level sensors reduce logistics costs

Logistics today requires meticulous planning of operational processes. Just-in-time deliveries are worth their weight in gold for companies. With the autonomous radar level sensors VEGAPULS Air, there is not only clarity about the level in a container at all times, but also where it is currently located. They therefore offer themselves as the solution of choice for optimizing your logistics processes.

The agricultural sector is not having it under wraps. The impact of weather on harvest is enormous and, moreover, a factor beyond the control of farmers. What they can change, however, is logistics. When animal feed, manure or water need to be brought in urgently, transportation costs skyrocket. In their "Truck Study" (2018), PwC economists calculated that more digital intelligence could halve the cost of standard transportation. The basis of this is smart inventory monitoring. VEGA therefore looked into a solution: an innovative measurement system that combines both inventory management and trip and route planning. Companies can thus tailor their transportation management to current needs. With knowledge of the current level of storage silos, tanks or containers, the proportion of trucks driving empty is significantly reduced. Digitizing step by step When digitizing, the big words are not spared. It does drive efficiency. But those who think too big may be deceived. Small expandable steps are a better path to automating logistics processes. Everything starts with sensors that continuously and regardless of where they are, inform when deliveries are due. That's exactly what battery-powered VEGAPULS Air radar sensors do. They reliably measure everywhere, even where no electricity or data network can be found. Moreover, they are easy to install on the container. Once in use, they score with their high accuracy and leveling range, which is sufficient even for large silos with a capacity of several thousand cubic liters. Furthermore, they are maintenance-free and suitable for all imaginable media: from grains to chemicals, liquids to waste.

Exact position and contents of IBC containers

VEGA has been concerned for years with how it can increase value in logistics. The family-owned company that is a world leader in radar technology makes the connection between the digital and physical worlds to make transportation more efficient. The impetus came from a customer in the chemical industry. He was looking for a sensor solution to centralize IBCs. VEGA took up the gauntlet and developed a radar measurement system that allows measurement through the container wall. The sensor was given a robust weatherproof housing that can remain permanently on the container. It continuously monitors the current status, both during transport and storage. Even when IBC containers are stacked several layers high, the autonomous VEGA sensors still manage to transmit the current level and exact position of each individual container to the cloud.

Different network connections

What began for IBCs turned out to be relevant for all conceivable measurement points. Indeed, to this day there are many companies that estimate their levels rather than knowing exactly how full the storage tanks are. The advantage of the VEGAPULS Air is that it requires little energy to discharge its duties and transfer valuable data to a set frequency. Customers can choose the network connection that best suits their application. In addition to mobile networks (such as NB-IoT or LTE-M), there is a LoRaWAN variant. This allows the sensor to be integrated into local, private network weeks. The low frequency range is ideal for the small amounts of data being transmitted. This leads to very good network coverage with low energy consumption and, above all, high signal strength. In this way, the level sensor is accessible even in the basement of a building.

Combination with VEGA Inventory System

Unlike classical process sensors, the autonomous sensors communicate with cloud solutions. They can also be combined with the VEGA Inventory System. This software determines optimal order quantities and scheduling based on the measurement data. Thanks to this connection, customers can closely monitor their goods around the clock. They also have access to their own logistics management system, without having to invest in software themselves. Everyone can thus benefit from the VEGAPULS Air sensor. Because with better delivery and route planning, employees are used more efficiently and customers are saved waiting times and suppliers empty trips.