At the start of the 2024 campaign, a significant step towards digitalization and increased efficiency was taken at the sugar beet yard of Nordzucker AG’s Uelzen sugar factory: The OWL EYE® system by Sachtleben Technology, Germany was commissioned.
Installed 3D LiDAR sensor of the OWL EYE® system (Source: Sachtleben Technology) Since then, ten high-precision 3D LiDAR sensors have been continuously and automatically measuring the exact volumes of sugar beet on the storage platform. This digital solution enables proactive and efficient planning of beet logistics while ensuring optimal production capacity utilization.
Until now, determining beet stock levels was previously done manually, which was a time-consuming task. Employees at the Agricenter had to manually pace out or measure the beet piles – often under challenging lighting conditions and adverse weather.
How the system works
OWL EYE®’s functionality is based on LiDAR technology (Light Detection and Ranging): Ten high-resolution sensors scan the beet piles at short intervals to generate a precise digital elevation model. When combined with defined surface areas and the bulk density of the beet, this enables continuous and highly accurate volume measurement. The system maintains a typical deviation of ±1%, even under challenging environmental conditions.
OWL EYE® continuously delivers precise measurement results based on the recorded volume and the defined bulk density of the beet. A user-friendly dashboard provides this data at any time in the form of clear 3D models, accessible to both the Agricenter and production teams. This makes planning not only faster, but also more reliable and transparent. A particular highlight is the ability to visually track the development of stockpiles over time. Different colour tones in the 3D model clearly indicate which parts of the beet pile have been stored longer and which have been newly added. This intelligent age-tracking feature enables optimized stock management and prevents unnecessary quality losses. This should eliminate time-consuming calculations, estimation errors and uncertainties which can contribute to noticeable efficiency gains.
3 D model with different colour tones (Source: Sachtleben Technology)
The system’s data is pre-processed and transmitted securely to the OwlEye dashboard. From there, it can be used for live visualization, historical trend analysis, and decision-making. Standardized interfaces such as OPC UA and REST API enable seamless integration with higher-level systems – whether SCADA, MES, or ERP (e.g., SAP) – thus embedding OwlEye into the broader digital value chain.
But the system offers much more than just volume measurement: Integrated height monitoring ensures that predefined thresholds are maintained, for example, to comply with structural or fire safety regulations. If limits are exceeded, automatic alerts are triggered – another important contribution to ensuring safe working conditions on the beet yard.
The sensor units are built for industrial outdoor environments: IP65 protection, –40°C to +80°C operating range, and optional compressed air self-cleaning for the optical components ensure long-term reliability. Communication can be established via Wi-Fi, LTE, or Ethernet, making deployment flexible even in infrastructure-limited areas.
Furthermore, OwlEye integrates seamlessly into existing IT infrastructures. Interfaces such as OPC or SAP connections support the digitalization of the entire logistics chain, enabling full connectivity from procurement to storage and production.
Use in the Uelzen sugar factory
“The system offers great added value in daily operations and significantly simplifies volume planning,” confirms Felix Langehenke, crop advisor at the Agricenter Uelzen. The smallest zoomable image unit covers just 40 cm3. “The high resolution of the images allows for a near individual visualization of the sugar beet,” adds Langehenke.
The high resolution of the images allows for a near individual visualization of sugar beet (Source: Sachtleben Technology)
The experience from the past campaign has been overwhelmingly positive: OwlEye delivers transparency and efficiency – in real time. Following its successful deployment in Uelzen, further applications are being investigated. The benefits are clear: Digitalization ensures more precise processes and better decision-making and makes a significant contribution to efficiency improvements throughout the entire value chain – from beet procurement to processing.
Looking ahead, OWL EYE®’s structured data can serve as a foundation for AI-based logistics optimization. Predictive models could anticipate delivery peaks or identify underutilized storage areas in real time – supporting even smarter resource allocation and further automation in agricultural logistics. By implementing OWL EYE®, Sachtleben Technology is setting a strong example of how digital innovation can sustainably transform traditional agricultural and production sectors.
For further information visit Sachtleben Technology’s website.
