The VETTER SmartFork^® with integrated camera and sensor technology is the perfect forklift driver assistant for easy and efficient loading, less damage and fewer accidents.

The smart assistance systems integrated in the fork provide new perspectives for the sustainable and safe use of industrial trucks in the logistics industry.

Every day, complex and time-sensitive logistics processes have to be optimized: faster, easier, more efficient and, above all, safer. Unfortunately, forklift accidents and damaged goods are part of everyday logistics and need to be minimized. Operators of industrial trucks in intralogistics and production are challenged in terms of efficient management of vehicles and safety of employees.

With the sensor fork SmartFork^® safety and efficiency in the use of industrial trucks are raised to a new level.

Precise targeting of load carriers - SmartFork^® Laser

Figure 1: SmartFork® laser as a target aid

Practice shows that precise entering into pallet pockets is easier said than done. With the SmartFork^® Laser as an aiming aid, the load pick-up is made easier, more efficient and safer. The powerful line laser is installed directly in the fork tip and projects a plainly visible horizontal line on the load carrier. The forklift driver can clearly recognize the right height and position when entering the load carrier.

Clear view on and in front of the load - SmartFork^® PremiumCam

Figure 2: SmartFork® SideCam - Transmission on the monitor in the cab: View along the forks for load pick up

With the SmartFork^® PremiumCam, a combination of FrontCam and SideCam, the industrial truck driver always has the right camera perspective. Automatic switching between the two cameras ensures an optimized view in all situations.

The SmartFork^® SideCam is an integrated camera system on the side of the fork blade. Both forks are displayed on the monitor and the driver has a view along the forks during loading and unloading. This allows easy and safe load pick-up, especially in high rack warehouses. Damage during entry process is significantly reduced.

Once the load is picked-up, the system automatically switches to the FrontCam.

Figure 3: SmartFork® FrontCam in the Fork Tip

With the SmartFork^® FrontCam, the driver has a proper view of everything in front of the lift truck, even with heavy loads. The fork cameras transmit the image to a monitor installed in the driver's cab. People and obstacles are detected early on and damage is reduced.

Accurate detection depth - SmartFork^® EasySecure

Figure 4: SmartFork® EasySecure for symbolizing the entry depth

By means of the light sensor EasySecure in the fork tip, the end of the pallet or the permissible entry depth is detected and signaled via an LED display in the driver's cab.

If the forklift driver enters too far into the pallet, the LED indicator lights up red, which symbolizes that the entry depth has been exceeded and the forks protrude beyond the pallet. Briefly reversing the lift truck induces the LED to switch to green as soon as the fork tips are flush with the pallet. Accidentally lifting the load behind and hence transport damage is avoided.

SmartFork^® AGV Ready - High-tech sensor forks in the automated warehouse process

Driverless transport systems are the heart of automated logistics processes! The integration of smart sensors into the fork of the AGV is a decisive criterion for defined and safe load detection and handling. The VETTER SmartFork^® offers sophisticated and individual solutions to equip AGVs with innovative sensor technology in the fork and to adapt them to a wide range of requirements.

Figure 5: Sensors in the fork tip

AGVs are usually equipped with all-round sensors for environment monitoring. These are mainly used as a protective device to recognize persons or objects in a defined environment and to stop the operation of the device in case of emergency. To generate a safe loading, environment monitoring must be switched off during the actual loading process.

However, to ensure safe operation of the AGV in exactly this situation, VETTER offers special built-in light sensors integrated into the fork, which are then activated to detect e.g. wood splints or damaged parts of the pallet.

Furthermore, these sensors in the fork detect the end of the load carrier upon entry, to ensure safe and damage-free loading. The goods placed behind will not be damaged! At the same time, the EasySecure sensor detects a proper load pick-up to ensure transported goods will not move on or even slip off the fork during the transport process.

All represented SmartFork^® applications can be combined with other assistance systems from the SmartFork^® product range and offer many benefits for the forklift driver.

The integration of intelligent sensors increases safety and productivity. Simultaneously, the use of SmartFork^® saves time and money and reduces the workload. The ergonomic framework conditions for the forklift driver are significantly improved.


VETTER Industrie GmbH
Carl-Benz-Strasse 45
57299 Burbach / Germany
02736/4961-0
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www.forks.com
www.smartfork.com

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