SPONSORED FEATURE
High-accuracy 3D robotics
With the new “Target Mark 3D” function of its VISOR Robotic vision sensor, sensor manufacturer SensoPart facilitates the spatial awareness of handling and assembly robots – all in just a few clicks and with minimal programming in the robot control system.
I
t is always good to know exactly where everything is on your workstation – this applies to both man and machine. However, people can still spot a screwdriver even if it should unexpectedly be located at the other end of the table. For robot solutions, on the other hand, this can prove somewhat problematic. Even slight off sets in operating position, for example due to an inaccurate feed of load carriers or the imprecise docking of mobile robots at the workstation, render the process unstable. While this previously required complex reprogramming, the situation can now be corrected with the aid of a target mark. A target mark is simply attached to the workstation, and the “Target Mark 3D” detector is selected in the VISOR Robotic confi guration software. The position of the target mark need only be referenced during the initial set up of the robot control system. After this, the vision sensor is able to extract 3D information from the picture and trigger a shift in the robot’s position. A further advantage of Target Mark 3D: Each target mark is unique; this means that several can be installed within one production environment to automate diff erent processes. Any name can be assigned to each mark in the detector (e.g., Station 1). The target marks are made of a
robust, highly refl ective material to guarantee correct detection even in poor lighting conditions. An added benefi t of SensoPart’s target mark system is that in contrast to the proprietary solutions of some robot manufacturers, it can be used across platforms with a possible retrofi t. Above all, Target Mark 3D makes the temporary use of mobile robotic stations more fl exible, extremely effi cient and cost eff ective.
Material feed from a carrier Components for the production process are often supplied in load carriers. The challenge is to position the load carriers as precisely as possible, as this is imperative for a stable, robot-aided handling process.
automationmagazine.co.uk
A mobile robot corrects its own position with the aid of a target mark on the workstation
The VISOR Robotic and Target Mark technology determine any inaccuracies in the position of the load carrier. Its position is then recalculated in the VISOR and transferred to the robot in corrected form. This is achieved with the help of a special target mark fi tted on the load carrier, whose 3D position is reliably and effi ciently detected throughout the procedure. The robot uses this information to correct the pick-up points of all the components in the load carrier, thereby maintaining a stable process. Benefi ts for the user:
• Considerable cost advantages due to the use of universal load carriers for all product versions, instead of special custom-made designs. • Greater fl exibility due to the elimination of mechanical elements for immobilising and aligning parts. • High process reliability even when parts are inaccurately fed.
Mobile workstations The fl exible use of mobile robots is an attractive solution for machine tending processes. Yet this fl exibility can cause robot positions to be comparatively imprecise. The success of this solution – whether or not the robot can carry out the tending process correctly – depends
primarily on the precision of the robot’s movements in relation to the machine. Target Mark 3D technology solves
this problem by placing a coded mark on the machine. The robot program is then written and references the mark. If the robot is repositioned by the user, for example on a mobile platform, Target Mark technology detects which machine is to be tended and the size of the off set to the machine and then corrects the robot program accordingly. The benefi ts for the user: • The combination of mobile robots and the option of automatic selection of tending programs makes the use of robotics a viable solution even for small companies. • Signifi cant cost benefi ts, reduced maintenance and more sustainable and ecological operation by deploying individual robots for multiple tasks on diff erent machines.
• The unique simplicity of a one-click setup allows processes to be automated without expert knowledge. • High process reliability even when robots are inaccurately positioned.
CONTACT:
SensoPart Industriesensorik GmbH
www.sensopart.com
Automation | July/August 2021
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