The cv.GO Rotation Unit in Action:
How SICK, KNAPP and cellumation Rethinking Material Flow
The cv.GO rotation unit from cellumation rotates totes 90° within a minimal footprint – fast, process-reliable, and without requiring any additional space. At the Kunsziget site in Hungary, four cv.GO rotation units ensure that SICK, together with general integrator KNAPP, reliably manages the transfer point to the new automated small parts warehouse (AS/RS).
Challenge at Sick
Increasing throughput requirements, limited space, and the need for flexible, scalable systems
SICK is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensor solutions for industrial automation. But even a technology leader eventually reaches its own limits: at the Kunsziget site, capacity requirements grew continuously until the existing warehouse reached its limits. Together with general integrator KNAPP, SICK decided to build a new, automated small parts warehouse (AS/RS) as the centerpiece of its internal material supply.
„We keep growing, year after year, and by 2020 our warehouse was already full. We searched for innovative solutions and then we found KNAPP, who supported us in building the new warehouse, the automated small parts store.”
Laszlo Varga, Head of Supply Chain Management | Global Supply, SICK AG
During detailed planning, however, one thing became clear: a custom solution was needed at the transfer point to the warehouse. Two different tote sizes had to be handled reliably in different orientations – large totes (600 x 400 mm, up to 35 kg) had to be rotated 90° from lengthwise to crosswise in the tightest of spaces, while smaller totes (400 x 300 mm, up to 15 kg) were meant to continue straight ahead.
„The limited space and the need for a fast, reliable rotation of the totes were the biggest challenges.”
Laszlo Varga, SICK AG
- TClick image to enlarge
The Solution
cv.GO as a compact rotation unit
As a rotation unit, the cv.GO is a modular conveyor module based on celluveyor technology: hexagonal cells with individually controllable omni-wheels that can move and rotate totes in any direction within the smallest of spaces. Four cv.GO rotation units are in operation in Kunsziget. Each movement is triggered as soon as a tote passes a SICK photoelectric sensor, a stored motion profile then executes the precise rotation or straight-ahead travel.
Large totes are rotated 90° from lengthwise to crosswise, while smaller totes continue straight ahead – all at high speed and with maximum process reliability, directly connected to the outbound transport into the AS/RS. The individual controllability of the omni-wheels enables movements and rotations of conveyed goods within the smallest of spaces, a unique selling point compared to conventional approaches such as turntables. Thanks to the flexible, modular design, no additional constraints arise in the spatial planning.
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More Informationcv.GO IN OPERATION
System Integration
The Actors
SICK: End User
SICK is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensor solutions for industrial automation. The company’s strength lies in combining innovative power with a deep understanding of its own customers’ requirements – qualities that are also reflected in the choice of its own technology partners. At the Kunsziget site in Hungary, SICK has been using four cv.GO units as a rotation unit at the transfer point to the new automated small parts warehouse since October 2023.
KNAPP: Integrator
KNAPP develops and manufactures intelligent system solutions using state-of-the-art digitalization, software, automation, and robotics technologies. The company’s culture is shaped to this day by the inventive spirit of founder Günter Knapp, who as early as the 1950s solved technological problems of the time with his ideas. What began in 1952 as a sole proprietorship with two employees in Graz has since grown into an international group with around 9,000 employees and 60 locations worldwide.
cellumation: Provider
cellumation is an innovation driver in the field of material flow technology and is known for its advanced solutions for the automation of logistics processes. The patented celluveyor technology developed there enables complex material flow movements in the smallest of spaces at high speeds. Thanks to its modular design, the celluveyor has unlimited layout flexibility, is easy to maintain and quick to set up.
SICK: End User
SICK is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of sensor solutions for industrial automation. The company’s strength lies in combining innovative power with a deep understanding of its own customers’ requirements – qualities that are also reflected in the choice of its own technology partners. At the Kunsziget site in Hungary, SICK has been using four cv.GO units as a rotation unit at the transfer point to the new automated small parts warehouse since October 2023.
KNAPP: Integrator
KNAPP develops and manufactures intelligent system solutions using state-of-the-art digitalization, software, automation, and robotics technologies. The company’s culture is shaped to this day by the inventive spirit of founder Günter Knapp, who as early as the 1950s solved technological problems of the time with his ideas. What began in 1952 as a sole proprietorship with two employees in Graz has since grown into an international group with around 9,000 employees and 60 locations worldwide.
cellumation: Hersteller
cellumation is an innovation driver in the field of material flow technology and is known for its advanced solutions for the automation of logistics processes. The patented celluveyor technology developed there enables complex material flow movements in the smallest of spaces at high speeds. Thanks to its modular design, the celluveyor has unlimited layout flexibility, is easy to maintain and quick to set up.
“The modular design and compact form offer maximum flexibility with minimal space requirements. The collaboration is characterized by mutual trust, technical openness, and a shared drive for innovation. We exchange ideas regularly and develop new approaches together.”
Optimal Rotation Unit
The Process in Detail
At the transfer point to the automated small parts warehouse, the totes arrive from production or goods-in. A SICK photoelectric sensor detects the incoming tote and triggers the appropriate stored motion profile. Depending on tote size, the four cv.GO units rotate the tote 90° from lengthwise to crosswise or let it continue straight ahead toward the AS/RS – at high speed and with maximum process reliability.
The entire system runs 100% electrically on a 48-VDC power supply. Integration was straightforward, in the spirit of a plug-and-play system. The variety of spare parts is deliberately kept low – essentially omni-wheels, belts, or the complete cell – which means repairs can be carried out quickly even by non-specialized personnel. The cv.GO units are also integrated into the secured SICK/KNAPP network and accessible via VPN, so the parameters of a motion profile can be adjusted remotely as well.
“It’s robust, low-maintenance, and easy to integrate – a true plug-and-play system. The low variety of spare parts and the option for remote support make it especially efficient. Compared to turntables, the cv.GO is more energy-efficient, subject to less wear, and more space-saving. Maintenance is straightforward and operating costs are significantly lower.”
Laszlo Varga, SICK AG
Beyond the Project
A Partnership Built for the Future: SICK and cellumation
The collaboration between SICK and cellumation extends well beyond the project in Kunsziget. In the classic celluveyor product line – for example in depalletizing or palletizing solutions with integrated vision systems – cellumation uses SICK’s Visionary-T Mini 3D camera to derive precise motion control from it.
This technological partnership originated early in cellumation’s company history. After initial experiences with 3D LiDAR sensors and experimental 3D vision cameras from the consumer sector, the founders set out to find a robust, industrial-grade solution and became aware of SICK’s new Visionary cameras with their 3D snapshot technology through a press release. Unlike conventional laser scanners, which produce so-called motion artifacts with moving objects, the Visionary-T Mini delivers precise images without motion blur thanks to its short single exposure: up to 30 frames per second as a three-dimensional point cloud. This is already preprocessed on the camera side and can then be segmented very effectively, allowing moving objects to be clearly distinguished from stationary elements such as the table. The result is a fast, closed control loop for precise motion control.
“The collaboration with SICK is a true partnership, characterized by enthusiasm for innovation and open, solution-oriented dialogue. We value the quick responsiveness and our shared goal of continuously improving material flow.”
Conclusion
Why the cv.GO Rotation Unit Is the Ideal Solution for SICK:
Robust reliability: Since October 2023, four cv.GO units have been in continuous operation at the Kunsziget site. The low variety of spare parts and the modular “one-model hardware” ensure short repair times – even with non-specialized personnel.
High flexibility: The individual controllability of the omni-wheels enables rotation and linear conveying in a single module – in the smallest of spaces, with no additional constraints on spatial planning.
Efficient use of space: The limited space at the transfer point to the AS/RS was one of the central challenges – the compact design of the cv.GO solves this without requiring an additional safety zone.
Energy efficiency: The system runs 100% electrically on a 48-VDC power supply. Since only the omni-wheels move on the cv.GO rather than the entire conveyor, wear and energy consumption are noticeably lower than with conventional turntable solutions.
Easy remote support: The cv.GO units are integrated into the secured SICK/KNAPP network and accessible via VPN – motion profiles can be adjusted remotely, with no need for an on-site visit.
From our perspective, the celluveyor is an ideal solution whenever flexibility, a compact design, and fast movement sequences are required – especially for complex material flow requirements.
cv.DEPAL
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