Conception of a warehouse management system
Project context
The GSI is one of the most advanced research centers in the world. This is notably where 6 atoms from the periodic table were first observed: those with atomic numbers 107 to 112.
I worked on the project as a member of the FRS (FRagment Separator) team whose goal is to produce and study exotic nuclei, previously accelerated in a synchrotron, using a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer.
To store their tools and equipment, the engineers and scientists use VLM (Vertical Lift Module). One drawback of this system is the fact that there is no solution to monitor the content of each shelf in the VLM. My goal was to design a solution to resolve this issue.
As the GSI is an international research center, I had to communicate constantly in English.
Project details
For this project, I started by analyzing how the VLM worked and the tools I had at my disposition. I came to the conclusion that I had to develop a WMS (Warehouse Management System). The software had to work on a Raspberry Pi and with a variable number of cameras connected, whose goal was to take pictures of each shelf before being stored in the VLM. I designed the software in a way that would let it work with VLM of various size.
One of my challenges here was the lack of power of the Raspberry Pi for treating many pictures within a very limited time frame. I used multithreading to optimize the picture processing time. Furthermore, I wrote a shell script to automate the installation process of the software. I also wrote a test software to facilitate the hardware installation, especially the sensors and camera configuration.
I was so efficient that I finished using merely two third of the time allocated for this project and with an attention to details much higher than expected. To my knowledge, the solution is still actively used by the GSI staff.
Project gallery
Main VLM
Secondary VLM
Hardware installation (cameras, Hall effect sensor, Raspberry Pi) on the VLM
WMS interface for the main VLM
WMS interface for the secondary VLM
Calibration of camera positioning via the test software
Calibration of the camera scanning QR codes via the test software