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One of the primary driving forces behind automated dimensioning is the potential for shipping companies to recover revenue lost in shipping large but lightweight packages. Dimensional weight is calculated by dividing a package's volume by a fixed number. If a package's dimensional weight exceeds its gross weight, the dimensional weight is used in the billing calculation.
In high-volume operations, it is not practical to manually measure packages in order to calculate dimensional weight. Automated dimensioning systems allow for real-time measurement of packages as they are conveyed without the manpower requirements of manual measurement, and without slowing down operations. The dimensioning component is typically integrated with an in-motion scale and bar code scanning system to provide a complete profile of each package.
Another common dimensioning application is to assign a volume to each package scanned in an inbound or outbound sortation system, for tracking the capacity status of outbound trucks or warehouse storage areas.
Advances in automated dimensioning technology have enabled higher conveyor speeds (up to 3 m/sec), near-zero package spacing, elimination of the need for a break in the conveyor, and more robust functionality, such as providing focusing and timing inputs for subsequent bar code scanning systems.
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