Use cases

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Use cases

Object manipulation

In general, it is easy to program robots to repeat certain movements. It requires putting a part to the same position every time. However, sometimes it is cumbersome to create purely mechanical system that fulfills the requirement. Therefore, most of such tasks are performed by human operators. PhoXi 3D vision system provides robots with sight and understanding, so they are able to  adjust their movement while handling parts placed randomly, and there is no need for the mechanism ensuring specifically set positions of the parts being handled.

  • Bin picking

    Parts placed randomly in boxes / pallets are the most common inputs for many production processes. Our 3D PhoXi vision system  scans the content of a bin and Bin Picking Studio recognizes exact positions of particular objects and makes sure the robot movement is precise and collision-free.

  • Palletizing and de-palletizing

    The last step in manufacturing process is placing the goods on pallets for being transferred. The crucial advantage of 3D vision is that it actually provides depth (height) recognition for effective and safe palletizing.

    3D vision system is also useful for de-palletizing randomly placed boxed/parcels from pallets or conveyor belts.

  • Pick and place

    In production processes, there are situations where parts need to be moved from one place to another, e.g. from a conveyor belt to a machine; and they don’t enter the process in the same  orientation all the time. Therefore, a 3D vision system is needed to determine the position of the part.

  • Trajectory correction

    When a position of an object is fixed, it is easy to program robot to perform movement using a  specific trajectory, for example to apply glue or sealing. When the object comes oriented differently each time, the robot trajectory has to be adjusted accordingly. With the 3D vision system by Photoneo, we’re able to detect the object position; and with our Trajectory Correction application (TraCo),  to modify the robot trajectory swiftly in live production process.

  • Assembly

    Mounting multiple parts together is a core of any manufacturing process. The 3D vision helps to localize the parts, adapt the placing trajectory and make sure the final position of a part being placed is correct.

  • Packaging

    A final product ready for sale often consists of multiple components placed together in a box or some kind of rack. Thanks to the 3D vision system deployed in the packaging process, robots spot proper spaces where particular parts fit in.

Inspection

  • Completeness check

    2D techniques are insufficient for some kinds of completeness checks, e.g. when it’s needed to detect a black seal on a black object, or to verify presence of a certain object meant to be at a certain place. The depth information from a 3D scan overcomes the limitation easily.

  • Measurements

    3D scanning enables advanced product measurement according to production specifications, from easy measurements like distances of holes or angles, to 100% output quality control.

Recognition

  • Sorting

    Sorting applications serve to select groups of objects, based on specific criteria. The task fulfilment is  much easier and often made possible only by opting for 3D machine vision, especially when the criteria contain attributes like shape or size.

  • 3D OCR

    3D optical character recognition applies for tasks like identifying round codes (e.g. from pressing machines) or DOT codes on tires, when 2D techniques fail to detect edges.

Engineering

  • 3D Modeling

    3D models are used in numerous applications from virtual reality and heritage collections to entertainment industry or medicine. The 3D model is usually created by compiling several 3D scans from multiple perspectives.

  • Reverse engineering

    Reverse engineering is about creation of 3D models or technical drawings from physical samples in order to replicate them, either by manufacturing or 3D printing. It’s particularly useful for HW components with a discontinued production or in situations when product documentation is missing.