FEATURE MACHINE VISION 3D VISIONS OF THE FUTURE
3D vision systems are starting to replicate the capability of human vision in robotics. Nigel Smith of TM Robotics gives three rules to follow when choosing one for manufacturing
W
ith four times as many as colour receptors as humans, the Mantis
shrimp has the most impressive eyes in nature. Manufacturers have long relied on human vision for complex picking and assembly processes but 3D vision systems are beginning to replicate the capability of human vision in robotics.
RULE ONE: ABANDON CAD Advanced 3D vision systems are a stark contrast to the vision software of manufacturing’s past. Many existing systems still require professional CAD programming to ensure the robot can recognise shapes. However, even after programming, this
software can have difficulties recognising multiple items at once. A common application for vision systems is removing and sorting items from a bin. While CAD- based systems can identify items in a bin,
the challenge is recognising the position of each item when presented in a random order - let alone determining the best method for the robot pick them in. Advanced vision systems eliminate this
problem by using passive imaging to enable the robot to automatically identify items, regardless of their shape or order. Toshiba Machine’s TSVision3D system, for example, uses two high-speed cameras to continuously capture 3D images. Using intelligent software, the system can process these images and identify the exact position of an item. This determines the most logical order
to pick them up and does so with sub millimetre accuracy, with the same ease as a human worker.
RULE TWO: MIMIC HUMAN PERCEPTION Deploying a robot for bin-picking isn’t advantageous if the robot cannot identify
AUTOMATION INTEGRATED VISION SYSTEM
B&R has introduced an image processing solution that can be seamlessly incorporated in the automation system. At the heart of the solution is a broad selection of intelligent camera technology. Options at the lower end will replace simple machine vision sensors, while the top of the range will harness the full potential of high-end smart cameras. Ready- made software components are available for creating applications with minimal new programming. Lighting elements are available integrated in the
camera, as an external device or even a combination of the two. Extremely precise synchronisation for high-speed image capture and object-specific
30 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018 |IRISH MANUFACTURING
functions such as bright-field or dark-field illumination are easy to implement. Image triggers and lighting control can be synchronised with the rest of the automation system in hard real time and with sub-microsecond precision. B&R's machine vision system is integrated on every level: the engineering tool, real-time operating system and application software. With a single development environment for every aspect of automation, controls engineers will now be able to implement many machine vision tasks on their own.
www.br-automation.com
What to look for when choosing a 3D vision system: no need for CAD software, mimicking human perception and simple installation
the edges of the bin. Considering the speed and strength of most 6-axis robots, hitting the box sides could easily halt production or damage the product. Some manufacturers believe that motion stereo systems can effectively imitate a human’s perception of an item. These use one camera, usually mounted on a robotic arm, to enable the system to move and take two or more photographs of an object. However, they require absolute precision as even the slightest movement can cause disparities in data and skew the measurement. For manufacturers hoping to automate their box-picking processes, they should identify whether the system has a collision avoidance function. Advanced systems, including TSVision3D, enable the system to be programmed according to the size of the bin, ensuring the robot can dive into the box without a hitch.
RULE THREE: SIMPLIFY INSTALLATION Automation for jobs like bin-picking are designed to free manual operators from repetitive and menial tasks and speed up operations. However, some traditional vision systems involved multiple hurdles to implement, including longwinded installation methods and high levels of technical know-how. Using 3D vision systems for bin-picking, cycle times can be as fast as 0.7 seconds. However, these productivity gains are useless if implementation of the software has high costs for time and staff resources. When choosing a system, manufacturers must strike a balance between potential productivity gains and the resources required for installation. Today, manufacturers should opt for software that anyone, even with minimal training, can understand.
ADVANCED VISION SYSTEM While eyes all have the same basic duty, the more advanced the vision system, the more information it can acquire. When choosing a vision system for manufacturing applications, manufacturers should consider how the system will improve their process, manage complex requirements and how easy it is to understand and implement it.
TM Robotics T: 01707 290370
www.tmrobotics.co.uk
CONNECTINGINDUSTRY / IRISHMANUFACTURING
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