Accurate Stockpile Measurement with 3D LiDAR
Volume monitoring for open and indoor stockpiles
Reliable, contactless, and real-time
Managing bulk materials stored in stockpiles, whether in mining, waste management and recycling, or agriculture, requires accurate and frequent volume measurements. Traditional methods like drone flyovers, manual estimation, or point-based sensors often lack consistency, are difficult to automate, and can be risky or time-consuming.
Blickfeld’s 3D LiDAR-based solution delivers a robust, scalable approach to stockpile measurement: continuous, high-resolution data of your piles, whether outdoors or under a roof. This real-time stockpile volume measurement supports accurate inventory tracking, demand forecasting, and operational planning across your entire supply chain.
Real-Time Inventory Insights
Monitor bulk stock levels at all times to support accurate inventory control, storage utilization, and demand forecasting – across individual locations or multiple sites from one central dashboard.
Efficient Material Management
Replace manual inspections with automated, accurate bulk material measurement, eliminating guesswork and delays.
Improved Safety & Compliance
Reduce the need for risky walkarounds and exposure to hazards like material build-ups, while ensuring reliable reporting for audits and environmental compliance.
Integration-Ready
Easily connect the volume data to ERP or inventory systems to streamline operations and restocking workflows.
How It Works
Blickfeld’s 3D LiDAR sensors are mounted above or around the stockpile. They emit thousands of laser pulses per second to scan the entire surface, creating a dense 3D point cloud. This enables highly accurate bulk volume measurement, even for irregularly shaped piles. The volume is calculated directly by Blickfeld’s on-device software, ensuring fast and reliable results without external processing.
The system supports multi-sensor configurations for large or complex layouts and applies intelligent interpolation when parts of the pile are not visible. Measurements update continuously—no manual input needed. Data is visualized in a dashboard or integrated with third-party systems for automated processing.
Why 3D LiDAR for Stockpile Volume Monitoring?
Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
Manual Surveys | ||
Drone Mapping | ||
2D Laser Scanners | ||
3D LiDAR |
From open stockpiles to silos and truck beds, bulk materials are stored in many ways. LiDAR technology enables accurate, real-time volume monitoring across all these storage types, helping businesses optimize operations and reduce manual effort.
Flexible Setup for All Stockpile Types
Whether in open storage yards, under roofs, or in loading zones, Blickfeld’s solution adapts to your environment—even in dusty or harsh conditions:
Single-sensor setups for compact piles
Multi-sensor configurations for large or irregularly shaped area
360° mount option: One sensor rotates through defined angles and stitches multiple scans into a single, wide-area point cloud—ideal for covering large zones with a single device
Key Features
✔ Continuous 3D stockpile volume monitoring
✔ Accurate surface and volume calculation, even with changing shapes
✔ Compact sensor design, suitable for installation on rooftops, poles, or frames
✔ Interactive dashboards for local or remote access — including cross-site monitoring
✔ Real-time API integration for automated workflows
Key Technical Data
- Measurement Range: 1–100 meters
- Field of View: 90° × 50°
- Ingress Protection: IP67
- Data Access: Local dashboard, remote interface, API
- Operating Temperature: -30 °C to +60 °C
Industries & Use Cases
Blickfeld’s 3D LiDAR technology offers a reliable solution for bulk volume measurement, bulk solids measurement, and stockpile volume measurement in various industries. Whether you’re handling gravel, grain, or recyclable material, our system enables automated and continuous stockpile measurement for improved accuracy and efficiency.
Blickfeld’s 3D LiDAR enables reliable bulk solids measurement across a variety of industries:
Mining & Quarrying
Measure extracted material in open pits, stockpiles, or processing yards
Construction & Logistics
Track raw materials like gravel or sand, and manage waste or backfill stockpiles
Recycling & Waste Management
Monitor volume of input material (e.g., scrap) and sorted output stockpiles
Agriculture
Measure silage, compost, or seasonal storage of grains and feed in open or covered piles
From Planning to Operation: We've Got You Covered
We support stockpile measurement at every stage:
- Feasibility assessment and environment analysis
- Customized sensor setup design (see our blog post on sensor layout planning)
- Remote or on-site commissioning
- Integration support for your existing systems
- Optional pilot phases for testing in your environment
Get in Touch
Contact Form
Contact our Sales Team
Akram Ben Youssef
Junior Sales Manager
Region: Europe
+49 89 230 69 35 60
Schedule a meeting
Dirk Rathsack
VP Business Development & Sales
Region: Rest of World
+ 49 174 230 3357
Schedule a meeting
Patrick Pylypuik
President, Blickfeld North America Inc.
Region: North America
+1 (855) 335 4327