The machine has a CE mark and a declaration of conformity before the manufacturer is allowed to place it in the European Economic Area. Applying for the CE mark is a complex process that requires deep technical know-how. Mature large machine manufacturing enterprises have a special department responsible for this matter. But how can new Oems and startups accomplish this daunting task? IdentPro, a software company, is backed by SICK.

PXAH401 3BSE017235R1 As for how companies benefit from SICK’s CE certification support, Michael Wack says: “It helps in all aspects. We know very little about the subject of CE, so we need someone to guide us. SICK acted as our guide and navigator, showing us the way. Then, together, we have progressively achieved our goals along this path, “said Wack, founder and managing partner of IdentPro, a software development company that aims to advance internal logistics with driverless forklifts, or driverless vehicles. IdentPro uses digital twin technology to digitize warehouses and significantly optimize workflows. Each physical object in the system has a digital twin, and the actual situation in the warehouse is synchronized with it. In addition, the software determines the latest status and location of the goods in real time and sends this information to optional ERP or WMS software such as SAP WM/EWM. IdentPro enables inventory security through data consistency, while also enabling error-free and efficient automated operations. In addition, the work safety of the warehouse has been greatly improved.

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To this end, IdentPro has developed the self-propelled forklift, a free-moving, trackless system similar in principle to a chauffeur-driven forklift (autonomous mobile robot). After the transportation task is assigned, the forklift will find the route from the current location to the desired destination, usually transporting large cargo carriers such as pallets and grille boxes. If the autonomous mobile robot detects obstacles such as parked vehicles or pallets while driving, it will identify and avoid the obstacles as much as possible. The vehicle will calculate the navigation path based on the situation and make real-time adjustments if necessary.

PXAH401 3BSE017235R1 Michael Wack sums up the development: “In the field of internal logistics, everything is still relatively new, and questions arise: what safety technologies are needed, and how do you get these vehicles to receive the CE mark? “As a software company, that’s obviously not our focus, and we can’t send people on training courses that take months or even years.” IdentPro decided to focus on its core competencies and therefore invited SICK as a partner to participate in the preparation, implementation and allocation of the CE marking.

At the beginning of the collaboration, IdentPro discussed basic mission Settings with SICK’s certification and security experts. Daniel Salas, Key Account Manager for Mobile Platforms at SICK, explains the initial situation: “In order to meet the requirements, IdentPro purchased the best quality infrastructure on the market, retrofitted it with software and the necessary security technology. The package also includes IdentPro’s own vehicle positioning that can be used in highly dynamic environments, as well as automatic navigation that can identify and avoid obstacles. In addition, there are load identification and digital twins, as well as sensors to detect the height of the load. These are significant changes to the vehicle, which invalidated the original CE mark and required recertification.”