On January 15, NEC Communication Systems released and began shipping an improved version 2 of its "NEC 3D Volume Measurement Software," which can automatically measure deposits of raw materials even in complete darkness, such as at night. The software is improved with functions such as the ability to externally notify the results of threshold judgments on measurement results and to interpolate blind spots in large storage areas where many irregularities occur in deposits.
There is an increasing need to accurately manage inventory levels in businesses and factories that manage raw materials from the perspective of management and precise understanding of the inventory as an asset. From the perspective of on-site operations, if raw materials are loaded in excess of the stockyard capacity limit during receiving operations, the overflow may collapse, creating hazard for workers. Furthermore, if raw material usage cannot be managed in real time, there is a concern that inventory shortages may occur, leading to production-line shutdown.
The new "NEC 3D Volume Measurement Software Version 2" addresses these issues by providing external notification when the deposit exceeds or falls below a set volume threshold. Thus, it is now possible to warn on-site workers of the danger of loading in excess of the capacity limit with a flashing lamp or to notify the person in charge of ordering by e-mail that the raw material amount in stock is getting low.
Meanwhile, actual raw material yards have complex arrangements, and fine irregularities are made in various places, which create blind spots for 3D sensors and may cause errors in volume measurements. Therefore, in addition to mountain- and wedge-shaped interpolations that are implemented so far, the latest enhancements have made it possible to interpolate blind spots even for deposits with multiple small irregularities. This enables the even more precise measurement of deposits with complex shapes and provides measurement results that are closer to the actual amount of material.
The sales price for version 2 starts at 1.75 million yen (excluding tax and equipment and installation costs). The company aims to sell 30 sets in two years.
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