Pathfinda

The Pathfinda is a pre-screening conveyor module that solves one of the recurring bottlenecks in checkpoint and hold-baggage lane design: ensuring that every item of passenger luggage arrives at the X-ray tunnel mouth in the optimal orientation for accurate scanning. Undersized or oddly positioned bags are the primary cause of false alarms and manual reposition delays at high-footprint checkpoints; the Pathfinda addresses this upstream rather than at the operator workstation.

The unit combines an ultra-fast multi-camera vision system with a twin-angled roller belt that physically steers each bag as it travels through the module. The camera array captures bag geometry in real time, calculates the deviation from the required centreline position, and drives the PLC-controlled belt to correct the orientation before the item crosses onto the X-ray infeed — entirely without operator intervention. Optional powered or unpowered deflectors are available for bags with protruding handles or straps that require positive centreline guarantee.

Physically, the Pathfinda occupies the same 1,200 mm queue-conveyor footprint it replaces, minimising structural alteration. Adjustable support legs allow matching to a range of conveyor sill heights, and the module ships with a restricted-height configuration option that doubles the camera count to permit a lower vision-system profile for constrained ceiling environments. Baggage tracking handshakes are supported through the PLC interface, so existing X-ray bag-tracking systems continue to function without modification. At established checkpoints — including the compact inline lanes common at GCC regional and domestic terminals — the Pathfinda can align over 500 bags per hour in normal operation, removing manual alignment staff from the infeed position entirely and improving screening consistency for narrower tunnel X-ray systems.