Sensor Solutions for Parent-Child Shuttle Systems
Smart sensor solutions for safe and efficient operation in systems where a larger parent shuttle works together with a smaller child shuttle.
In parent-child shuttle systems (also known as "mother-baby shuttle" systems), a large parent shuttle moving in the main aisle carries a smaller child shuttle. The child shuttle then operates in narrow aisles for picking or storing products. Smart sensors on both shuttles guarantee safe and efficient operation.
Lateral Monitoring of Child Shuttle Position
Detecting protrusions on the shuttles is important for ensuring uninterrupted operation and preventing collisions. For this, we recommend using photoelectric retro-reflective sensors:
Your Advantages:
- Transparent version offers maximum availability for detecting overlapping foils
- Easy engineering and commissioning with 3D CAD-integrated beam and qTarget
- Compact sensors giving your shuttle design greater flexibility
Vertical Monitoring of Child Shuttle Position
Monitoring the child shuttle's position and the amount of pallet overhang is necessary to ensure uninterrupted operation and prevent collisions. Background-suppression Time-of-Flight (ToF) sensors are the right solution for this:
- Background-suppression ToF diffuse sensor OT300.GL
- Background-suppression ToF diffuse sensor OT500.GL
Your Advantages:
- Reliable object detection independent of material or surface, ensuring maximum availability
- Compact sensors with a sensing range of up to 2.5 m, giving your shuttle design greater flexibility
Home / Zero Point Positioning
Knowing the shuttle's exact position at the end of the aisle is critical for loading. Photoelectric fork sensors are the ideal solution here:
Your Advantages:
- Reliable object detection independent of material, ensuring maximum availability thanks to the through-beam sensor
- Fork sensors for easy commissioning
- Compact sensors giving your shuttle design greater flexibility
Home Positioning on the Parent Shuttle
To guarantee the child shuttle's final, correct position on the parent shuttle, we recommend using photoelectric retro-reflective sensors:
Your Advantages:
- Easy engineering and commissioning with 3D CAD-integrated beam and qTarget
- Compact sensors giving your shuttle design greater flexibility
Miniature Sensors
Photoelectric sensors
- Sizes starting from 8 mm
- Adjustable via qTeach or IO-Link
- LED and laser with qTarget
- Extremely high immunity to ambient light
- Spot and line beam shape
- Diffuse sensors up to 200 mm
- Through-beam sensor up to 6 m
Standard Sensors
Photoelectric sensors
- Ready for use faster thanks to qTarget
- Adjustable via qTeach
- Linear or point-beam PinPoint LED
- Diffuse sensors up to 385 mm
- Through-beam sensor up to 12 m
Time-of-Flight (ToF) Sensors
- Reliable object detection independent of mounting angle, even for ultra-black, reflective, glossy, or irregularly shaped objects
- Wide measuring range of up to 2.5 m thanks to time-of-flight measurement
- Simple integration and fast parametrization with a standardized IO-Link interface
Magnetic Ring Encoder for Industrial Applications
Bearingless encoders
- Incremental encoders up to 140 mm shaft diameter
- Low installation depth down to 11 mm thanks to radial sensing
- Flexible integration options
- Easily implementable redundancy
Have questions?
Our experts will be happy to provide you with more information about your application. Just send us an email.