Status Indication on Airport Conveyor

A large, metropolitan airport was installing a new conveyor for baggage handling. The manager in charge of installation sought a streamlined solution that would provide clear operator control and guidance. He was looking for products that were easy to install, cost-effective, and provided bright visibility of machine conditions. Specifically, a light was needed to indicate start, jam, and reset conditions with different colors and animations.

The airport manager worked with Banner to implement a competitively priced solution. Operators installed the K50 Pro Compact Touch Button on the control station at the start of the conveyor to indicate multiple conditions. With IO-Link, the K50 Pro was programmed to indicate green when the conveyor was functioning properly and red when a jam or reset occurred. Needing only one light saved operators time and reduced installation costs.

QS18 photoelectric sensors and BRT retroreflective target reflectors were installed along the conveyor for baggage detection. When luggage of various sizes moved down the conveyor, it was essential that they continue so as to not create potential delays or damage due to a jam. The sensors would detect luggage as they passed along the conveyor and would signal to the K50 touch button to change colors when a change in status was detected. 

Unique indication for each status helped prevent errors from occurring and increased production because it was less confusing and time-consuming, enabling operators to easily work on multiple tasks.