CompControl automates inbound electronics logistics with machine vision

WEControlDOME uses high-resolution vision and autofocus technology from SVS-Vistek to enable zero-touch container registration.

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Electronics manufacturers operate under strict time, traceability and accuracy constraints. Incoming goods registration is a critical step in the supply chain, as delays or errors at this stage can disrupt inventory accuracy, production planning and storage operations. Manual recording of delivered containers is often too slow and error-prone for Industry 4.0 environments, while conventional automated systems struggle to cope with the wide variety of container sizes, heights and formats used for electronic components.

To address these challenges, CompControl IT-Service und Vertriebs GmbH, a logistics solutions provider based in Gersfeld, Germany, developed WEControlDOME—an automated goods receiving station designed specifically for electronics manufacturing operations.

Objectives: Speed, accuracy and transparency without manual intervention
The goal of the WEControlDOME project was to enable fully automated, container-based incoming goods registration. The system needed to reliably capture and verify key data such as article numbers, quantities, batch information and manufacturer details, while integrating directly with merchandise management and ERP systems. At the same time, it had to remain flexible enough to handle frequently changing container geometries without manual adjustment.

Reducing human intervention was a core requirement, both to minimise errors and to free warehouse staff for higher-value tasks. Consistent image quality across variable container heights and formats was identified as a key technical challenge.

Technical solution: Vision-based goods receiving with WEControlDOME
WEControlDOME is an intelligent goods receiving station that automatically captures and evaluates images of incoming containers. Using image analysis, barcode reading and plain-text recognition, the system extracts all relevant delivery data and verifies it against supplier and manufacturer records. Verified data is then automatically posted to connected inventory and ERP systems, with optional container labelling and full photographic documentation.

At the core of the system is a machine vision solution from SVS-Vistek. CompControl selected the exo342MGE monochrome GigE camera, which provides a resolution of 31.4 megapixels (6464 × 4852 px). The high resolution enables reliable detection of barcodes and printed text across a wide range of container designs. Image data is transferred in real time to connected PC systems for evaluation and archiving.

The camera’s industrial design, including global shutter technology, integrated light control and thermal stability for operation up to 60 °C, supports continuous use in logistics environments with high throughput requirements.



The SVS-EF adapter from SVS-Vistek enables software control of focus and aperture, making machine vision systems more flexible and cost-effective for dynamic tasks (Image courtesy of SVS-Vistek GmbH)

Autofocus as a key enabler for variable container heights
A major requirement for WEControlDOME was the ability to maintain consistent image sharpness despite varying container heights. Fixed-focus optical setups were not suitable for this task. To overcome this limitation, CompControl implemented SVS-Vistek’s SVS-EF adapter, which allows electronic control of focus and aperture for Canon EF-mount lenses directly from the camera.

The adapter enables true autofocus functionality and supports different lens mounts across SVS-Vistek’s EXO, FXO and HR camera series. This configuration allows the system to adapt automatically to changing container geometries without mechanical adjustment, enabling continuous, zero-touch operation at the receiving dock.

According to Thorsten Schmidt, Chief Product Officer at SVS-Vistek, such flexibility is increasingly important outside traditional high-volume production lines, particularly in logistics and inspection applications where object dimensions and batch sizes change frequently.

Deployment and operational results
WEControlDOME systems have been deployed globally in electronics manufacturing facilities and operate reliably in continuous multi-shift environments. According to CompControl, installations often run in three-shift, 24/7 operation and have demonstrated stable performance over time.

The collaboration between CompControl and SVS-Vistek extended beyond component supply. SVS-Vistek supported the project during component selection and feasibility studies, and provided technical assistance during commissioning and operation. This support helped ensure that the vision system met the performance and reliability requirements of automated inbound logistics.

Impact on inbound logistics operations
By automating container registration and verification, WEControlDOME reduces processing times, minimises data entry errors and improves transparency from goods receipt through storage. The system allows electronics manufacturers to maintain accurate inventory records while handling diverse delivery formats at Industry 4.0 speed.

The use of high-resolution imaging combined with autofocus technology enables a level of flexibility that conventional automated goods receiving systems often lack, making WEControlDOME suitable for dynamic electronics supply chains.

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