Automated pallet inspection is at hand for pallet recyclers. With traction in Europe and retail DC installations in North America, the first pallet recycler IVISYS implementation is scheduled for early 2024 in Canada.
As someone who spent many years training employees to sort pallets and mindful of the significant impact to both bottom line and supply chain efficiency resulting from inaccurate sorting, I have long been excited by the potential for automated sorting, and I’m delighted to see its continued development in Europe and North America.
Alliance Automation has entered into an exclusive partnership with Sweden-based IVISYS to promote the latter’s state-of-the-art inspection technology in North America, as announced in the December issue of Pallet Enterprise. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the standard for pallet quality in the region, leveraging IVISYS’s advanced 2-D pallet inspection machine and AI-assisted analysis software.
IVISYS’s system, widely used in Europe, has been instrumental in managing pallet pools, grading pallets, and maintaining quality standards. Now, this technology is set to make its mark in North America, with the first installation planned at a Canadian pallet recycler.
Automated Pallet Inspection: How PALLETAI Works
A key component of IVISYS’s success is its PALLETAI software, which functions like a human inspector, meticulously examining pallets for defects using 26 neural networks and high-resolution 2D cameras.
“Since the sixteen cameras combined generate almost 200 images per pallet, no area is left unseen, and the best resolution is measured in sub- millimeters,” explained Stefan Bohman, president and CEO at Ivisys. “Everything measured is then handed over to the customer who configures in detail how they want their sorting and which criteria are the most important.”
The PALLETAI has an AI component built into it. So, as the system sees new things, it becomes smarter and better at inspecting pallets. AI, similarly, is perfect for detecting mold or dis- coloration through pattern recognition. IVISYS software can track loads from customers, save data on all defects and create reports that can be used for discussions and pricing. With the data packages, it is also possible to get a detailed view of all pallets flowing through the facility on a component-level basis.
The IVISYS system’s functionality is not limited to identifying physical damage; it also detects mold or discoloration through pattern recognition. This multifaceted inspection approach includes analyzing pallet size, color, and overall condition, ensuring compliance with established standards.
An IVISYS pallet inspection line typically includes an inbound conveyor. A stationary robot unstacks pallets and inducts them into the inspection cell. At the same time, it can also be used to set aside con-conforming pallets. After inspection, another robot stacks pallets onto the appropriate outbound conveyor. Because the solution is scalable, the number of lanes, robots, and inspection units can be increased as needed.
For white-wood recyclers, rental companies, and warehouse users, this system offers a leap in managing pallet assets, according to spokespersons. Wenninger noted that the IVISYS system could significantly reduce pallet-related issues in Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (ASRS), which often lead to costly downtime.
The IVISYS system can also enhance the grading and sorting of incoming loads for pallet recyclers. The comprehensive data captured by the system provides invaluable insights for making informed pallet decisions. “Now, these plants will know exactly what they are getting in each load with data to back up their analysis,” Wenninger told Pallet Enterprise.
Athanase Innovation is investing in AI technology
IVISYS is owned by Athanase Innovation, which is an alternative investment firm investing in technology related private and public assets. Athanase Innovation AB is a public company listed on NASDAQ First North Growth Market in Stockholm, Sweden.
The IVISYS Lowdown
- 40 employees.
- HQ Stockholm, Sweden, with offices in Gothenburg, Sweden, and Chicago, US.
- Customers in 10 countries.
- Working with some of the most premium brands in the world.Customer requests from all over the world
- Presence in several industries such as Logistics, Food & Beverage, Retail and Warehouse Automation.
- More than 20 Years of experience in Machine Vision.
For more information on the new IVISYS and Alliance Automation relationship, call (419) 238-2520 or visit https://ivisys.com or allianceautomation.com/.
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Rick LeBlanc, EMBA, is the founder and editor of Reusable Packaging News (subscribe to the free newsletter) and editor of Western Pallet Magazine. A supply chain journalist with more than 30 years of experience, he specializes in pallets, reusable packaging, material handling and related operations. Rick is co-author of Pallets: A North American Perspective and Pallets & Progress: A Collected History of Pallets and Palletized Handling 1922–1945. He is also an advisory board member of the Virginia Tech Center for Packaging and Unit Load Design. Read Rick’s full bio.
