Sachtleben Technology GmbH takes 2nd place at the Schleswig-Holstein Digitalization Award 2025 with the OWL EYE® system. On November 5, 2025, we were officially presented with the award during a festive ceremony.
The prize, which includes 15,000 euros in prize money, was ceremoniously presented by Digitalization Minister Dirk Schrödter. With this award, the state of Schleswig-Holstein honors companies from the digitalization sector in SH. For the eighth time, the state is recognizing companies that make a special contribution to digitalization with innovative digital solutions, innovative strategies, and forward-looking technologies.
For Sachtleben Technology GmbH, this recognition is a significant milestone. It confirms that the courage to change, technological innovation, and a strong team spirit pay off. The award underscores the company’s commitment to creating new innovative solutions for the challenges of the future.
We would like to thank Digitalization Minister Dirk Schrödter for presenting this award and for his continuous commitment to promoting digitalization in Schleswig-Holstein. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to the jury of the Digitalization Award for recognizing the work we have done.
We also thank our dedicated team, whose tireless efforts and expertise made this success possible. Finally, we would like to thank our partners and companions who contributed to the success of the project through their trustful cooperation.
This award motivates us to consistently continue on our chosen path and to develop innovative digital solutions in the future.
Volume measurement of bulk goods with the OWL EYE® system
The OWL EYE® system uses innovative LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors. These 3D laser sensors scan the surroundings and create a point cloud of the surrounding contours. This is a form of three-dimensional laser scanning. The volume can be converted into mass using the known density of the bulk material. Measurement, evaluation and visualisation are carried out via a web server application with a connected powerful database.
Bulk material stock inventory as a basis for expertise
Sachtleben Technology GmbH has a high-precision Riegl laser scanner with a range of up to 1.2 km. This is used to scan quarries, open-cast mines, bulk material dumps or buildings in three dimensions as a service. The scanner is set up at various locations and the individual point clouds are combined into one large point cloud. The data from the quarries and open-cast mines is then evaluated for slope monitoring by the mining authority.
For inventory purposes, such as year-end inventory, the volumes are calculated from the scanned bulk material piles. Special software from Maptek is used for this purpose. The evaluated volumes are then converted into mass using the known bulk density. For the year-end inventory, this value can then be used, for example, as the year-end stock.
Buildings are also scanned by Sachtleben Technology GmbH and processed to create a realistic digital twin as a CAD model. This knowledge has been incorporated into the algorithms of the OWL EYE® system, ensuring that automated data evaluation is reliable and accurate.
Efficient bulk material inventory stocktaking and logging
The OWL EYE® system developed by Sachtleben Technology is used for measuring and recording bulk material stockpiles. The stocktaking solution fits bulk materials of any kind. It is recorded using modern 3D LiDAR (laser) sensors. These scan the environment day and night and capture a 3D image. This is then automatically evaluated by the OWL EYE® software developed in Germany and visualised via an intuitive dashboard.
Finally, the stockpile volumes are evaluated. To do this, the volume between the recorded contour and the ground is calculated. The ground can be of any shape. Using the point cloud created, the measurement with OWL EYE® achieves a volume accuracy of 99% and minimal deviations of ±1% on average.
Another application of the OWL EYE® system is what is known as ‘stockpile history management’. This means that areas, e.g. a storage yard, can be scanned at any interval (e.g. hourly) and a log can be kept of which stockpile has been located where and for how long. This also works when one stockpile is tipped onto or against another stockpile.
Laboratory data on individual stockpiles or deliveries can also be entered as information, ensuring that an up-to-date picture of the stockpile inventory at the storage site is always recorded. Historical inventories are stored in a database and are thus archived. In the dashboard, it is then possible to filter by time periods or information and, for example, display only certain stocks in a time period or with linked information. This makes it possible to determine how long a particular stockpile has been at the storage location. A daily PDF log can then be created from this information.
Bulk goods inventory recording at the touch of a button
In times of raw material shortages, purchasers are often faced with the challenge of ordering raw materials. The problems often consist of material shortages and delivery bottlenecks. It is often the case that an unplanned order of raw materials can have a significant impact on production and sales. This makes it all the more important to know how much raw material is still available in the flat storage facilities. This is particularly important when dealing with high-priced materials or when delivery times are very difficult to predict. To counteract this problem, the OWL EYE® system from Sachtleben Technology GmbH can be used to precisely record and evaluate bulk material stocks in flat storage facilities.
However, the system can be used not only for inventory purposes, but also for optimising and controlling processes. For this purpose, the scanning frequency can be increased as desired and, for example, a measurement can be taken every two minutes. In addition, a 3D image is stored for each measurement so that the measured values and the inventory can be optimally traced afterwards. Open interfaces enable access to the data within the database via third-party systems such as an ERP system.
https://www.sachtleben-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/20250206-DSCF0278-2-e1772617252547.jpg12801920adminhttps://www.sachtleben-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sachtleben_Technology.svgadmin2026-03-04 10:46:262026-03-09 11:24:30Precise and efficient real-time stocktaking of bulk goods
In many sand, gravel and bulk material plants, warehousing and loading processes are still largely manual. A lack of transparency and inaccurate inventory data lead to waiting times, inefficient transfers and unnecessary production orders.
Two established providers – Sachtleben Technology, a specialist in sensor-based material recording, and Axians IAS, a provider of digital factory logistics solutions – have now entered into a strategic partnership and are addressing this challenge with an integrated solution that makes real-time data on material availability available in the automated control of loading processes.
Integration of OWLEYE® and VAS® Yard Management
Sachtleben’s OWLEYE® system uses LiDAR sensors to continuously measure the volume of stockpiles and record material flow on conveyor belts. This material inventory and flow data is retrieved in real time via an API from Axians IAS’s VAS® Yard Management system, where it forms the basis for automated decisions, such as selecting the loading point with the highest fill level or controlling loading with pinpoint accuracy.
‘The combination of continuous material inventory tracking and intelligent logistics control shows how digitalisation creates tangible added value in the building materials industry.’
says Quirin Krauss, Managing Director of Sachtleben Technology GmbH. For Marc Graner, Managing Director of Axians IAS, the collaboration with Sachtleben Technology demonstrates the importance of integration with partner companies:
Thanks to our partner integration, we can access additional valuable data and thus further automate and optimise our customers’ processes.
Practical application examples
Stockpile measurement and loading point control: OWLEYE® records material quantities in real time using multiple sensors. These LiDAR sensors can be permanently installed at the loading point or used for mobile measurement by installing them on a wheel loader, which measures a stockpile as it passes by. VAS® uses this material inventory data to select the best loading point for a delivery based on rules – for example, the one with the highest fill level.
Loading via conveyor belt: The OWLEYE® system measures the material flow using LiDAR sensors. Once the target quantity previously transmitted by VAS® Yard Management has been reached, the OWLEYE® conveyor belt is automatically stopped – without manual intervention.
The advantages of integration for bulk material plant operators
Transparency: real-time data on material stocks and loads
Efficiency: Automated processes reduce waiting times and staffing costs
Sustainability: fewer empty runs, more precise planning, lower emissions
Integration: Seamless integration into existing processes
Common perspective
The solution is scalable and suitable for both large and medium-sized plants. Initial projects are already running successfully at leading building materials manufacturers. In addition to the above-mentioned applications, the combination of automatic material inventory recording and digitised plant logistics offers great potential for use in other areas such as management dashboards, automated production planning and just-in-time loading.
Sachtleben Technology and Axians IAS would be happy to show you how you can benefit from this integration.
https://www.sachtleben-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/sachtleben_technology_owl_eye_axians_ias_vas_partner.png5761024adminhttps://www.sachtleben-technology.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Sachtleben_Technology.svgadmin2026-03-04 08:53:362026-03-09 10:39:57Working together for greater transparency and efficiency in bulk goods logistics – Sachtleben Technology and Axians IAS enter into partnership
