Leveraging SICK’s Latest Vision Offerings for Smart, Scalable Automation

Integrating PLB, Visionary-T/B, and Advanced 3D Vision into LM3’s AI Inspection Workflows

At LM3 Technologies, we design and deploy automation systems that blend best-in-class hardware with robust AI-based vision and full industrial integration. As manufacturers push for greater flexibility and traceability, we stay ahead by partnering with key innovators — including SICK Sensor Intelligence — to incorporate their next-generation vision technologies into our platform.

Two of SICK’s most recent hardware developments — the PLB520 for robotic picking and the Visionary-T/B 3D camera series — are already unlocking new capabilities in LM3’s projects across automotive, metal fabrication, EV, and logistics applications.

Robotic Pick and Place Using the SICK PLB Series

The SICK PLB520 is a robust 3D vision system tailored for bin picking and de-palletizing, using structured light to deliver precise point clouds and part localization in real time. LM3 Technologies has successfully integrated this system into several high-mix environments where flexible part handling is critical.

Real-World Applications:

• Bin Picking: Identifying and retrieving randomly stacked metal plates or components from bins and totes with variable geometries and finishes.

• De-Palletizing: Locating stacked boxes, components, or parts in variable orientations and feeding coordinate data to robotic arms for part removal.

• Torch Cutting Prep: In one deployment, the PLB520 feeds precise pick points to a robot retrieving heavy steel plates from a bin, feeding them to a torch cutting system. Our vision stack then takes over for hole detection, cut path alignment, and post-process inspection.
  

The integration with PAQi, LM3’s on-premise controller, enables seamless communication between the PLB520 and robots via Ethernet/IP or PROFINET, while storing pick data and images in an SQL database for traceability.

With AI-based object detection layered on top of SICK’s 3D point cloud data — trained via QC Hero — we can handle variable SKUs with minimal retraining and enable real-time adaptive workflows.

Expanding 3D Capabilities with the Visionary-T and Visionary-B Series

The Visionary-T Mini and Visionary-B Two represent SICK’s newest evolution in 3D snapshot cameras, combining time-of-flight (ToF) technology with higher precision, compact form factors, and faster acquisition times.

At LM3, we’re beginning to explore and apply these sensors in areas where profile scanners are impractical and where complex part geometry or depth-based AI analysis is needed.

Key Use Cases:

• 3D Assembly Verification: Using the Visionary-T to verify that components are seated, aligned, or present within a complex mechanical assembly. Depth-based vision adds another layer of confidence to traditional 2D object detection.

• AI + Depth Fusion: Combining Visionary-T/B data with LM3’s AI models to perform multi-dimensional analysis — such as identifying crushed connectors, bent tabs, or incorrect part depth.

• Logistics & Kitting Inspection: Creating layered inspection stations for tote verification, carton fill validation, and mixed-part kitting with both RGB and depth context.

When integrated with PAQi, the Visionary-T or Visionary-B cameras can feed real-time 3D data to our AI stack for immediate analysis, decision-making, and process feedback. All detections and results are recorded and timestamped for auditing and downstream quality systems.

A Unified Platform for Modern Vision Workflows

What sets LM3 apart in these deployments is our end-to-end integration of sensor hardware, AI model execution, robot control, and traceability — all under one platform:

• QC Hero: Our cloud-based model training pipeline for object detection, segmentation, and classification across 2D and 3D inputs.

• PAQi Controller: Our flexible, camera-agnostic controller that supports up to 6 cameras, manages inference on-device, and integrates directly with PLCs, robots, and MES systems.

• Industrial Communication: Built-in support for Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and PROFINET ensures easy deployment alongside existing automation infrastructure.

• SQL Traceability: Every pick, detection, and decision is logged — creating a closed-loop, auditable inspection and handling workflow.
  

Future Potential and Scalability

As manufacturers continue to demand more flexible automation, especially in low-volume, high-mix environments, the combination of SICK’s vision hardware and LM3’s platform will continue to unlock scalable solutions. Whether replacing manual checks or augmenting traditional sensors, we’re delivering smart vision systems that generalize across SKUs and adapt in real time — without compromising performance or reliability.

We see enormous opportunity for these technologies in:

• Automotive sub-assembly inspection

• Metal handling and fabrication workflows

• EV battery pack verification

• Agricultural implement processing

• High-speed packaging and kitting
  

Conclusion

By staying hardware-agnostic but deeply integrated, LM3 Technologies enables rapid deployment of cutting-edge tools like the SICK PLB520, Visionary-T, and Visionary-B Two series. Our unified architecture ensures that new sensor technology immediately delivers measurable ROI — not just new complexity.