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WHAT ARE
LOGISTICS & SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT?

 

Automated Warehousing

 

Barcode and QR Scanning

 

Product Sorting

 

Supply Chain Optimization

Many organizations and businesses use logistical systems to automate, organize, and improve processes. Generally, logistics refers to the detailed organization of complex operations related to the flow of processes. Inventory-based organizations typically use logistics systems to manage or automate a supply chain. These techniques require optical systems to identify, inspect, or sort objects or supplies; move them from one physical location or step to another; and prepare them for the final stage in the supply chain process, which is typically the shipping and delivery of the commodity.

Why Logistics & Supply Chain Management?

The convenience of the internet has enabled the fast, widespread growth and adoption of e-commerce and online shopping services. This growth has further driven the need for increased warehousing efficiency and throughput. Delivering a wide selection of products to customers globally requires companies to have highly robust and efficient supply chain logistics and automated warehouse technologies which utilize optical systems for barcode scanning, product sorting, and much more

Moreover, advancements in optical and imaging technologies further improve the capabilities of logistics and supply chain technologies. Pixel count and data transfer rates in machine vision camera sensors have increased by several orders of magnitude, allowing the capture of extremely high-resolution images. Illumination systems have also become substantially brighter because of advancements in LEDs. As labor costs have increased and these technological advancements continue to drive down automation prices, the desire to automate processes, manufacturing or otherwise, has intensified.

U.S. ECOMMERCE VS. TOTAL RETAIL SALES

Optics for Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Logistical environments such as automated warehouses often use robotic systems to identify, sort, and move products from one location to another. These systems are equipped with imaging optics and additional components that read barcodes, QR codes, or other markers using optical character recognition. To identify these tags accurately and reliably, inspection systems make use of high-resolution lenses with mid-to long-range working distances and high-intensity illumination sources like ring lights. Illuminating and imaging product identification tags from a distance gives automated warehouse robotics the ability to identify products to be selected for the next stage of the supply chain process.

Edmund Optics (EO) is a world class optics and photonics manufacturer with over 78 years of experience in optics, design, testing, and manufacturing. Additionally, Edmund Optics offers a broad selection of versatile and off-the-shelf products, which are continuously updated to support current, relevant challenges for logistics & supply chain management. Learn more about Edmund Optics and our World-Class Imaging Optics and Manufacturing Capabilities.

Edmund Optics’ Solutions for Factory Automation

Edmund Optics’ Solutions for Logistics & Supply Chain Management

Technical Information and Tools

Application Notes

Technical information and application examples including theoretical explanations, equations, graphical illustrations, and much more.

11 Best Practices for Better Imaging
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Resolution
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Contrast
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Object Space Resolution
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6 Fundamental Parameters of an Imaging System
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From Lens to Sensor: Limitations on Collecting Information
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Imaging Lens
Selection Guide
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Lens Selection Based
on Resolution - Advanced
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Ruggedization of
Imaging Lenses
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Limitations on Resolution and Contrast: The Airy Disk
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Resolution and
Contrast Comparison
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Imaging Electronics 101: Camera Resolution for Improved Imaging System Performance
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Imaging Electronics 101: Understanding Camera Sensors for Machine Vision Applications
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Technical Articles

Links to technical articles appearing in industry publications authored by Edmund Optics or featuring contributions from Edmund Optics' engineering team and key management.

"Vision & Sensors Lens Selection Guide, Part 1" by Nick Sischka - Quality Vision & Sensors
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"Lens Selection Guide, Part 2" by Nick Sischka - Quality Vision & Sensors
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"Vision Systems for 3D Measurement Require Care to Ensure Alignment" by Jessica Gehlhar - Industrial Photonics
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"The Importance Of Ruggedization For Imaging Lenses" by Daniel Adams - Assemblaggio & Meccatronica
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"How To Maximise The Performance Of An Imaging System" by Daniel Adams - Assemblaggio & Meccatronica
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"Lens sees clearly even through shock and vibration" by Jessica Gehlhar and Cory Boone - Design World
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Calculators

Technical calculators based on commonly used and referenced equations in the Optics, Imaging and Photonics industries.

Imaging System Parameter Calculator
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Imaging Lens Selector
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1951 USAF Resolution Calculator
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References

1 Ali, Fareeha. “U.S. Ecommerce vs Retail Sales from 2007-2019.” Digital Commerce 360, 3 Mar. 2020, www.digitalcommerce360.com/article/e-commerce-sales-retail-sales-ten-year-review/

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