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16.04.2015 - Fachartikel - Optische Technologien
In just a few steps, spatial vision with "only" ONE camera as a do-it-yourself solution
De-racking automatically more productive - the third dimension added for plant automation
(Initiative Mittelstand)Spatial vision with only one camera significantly increases efficiency in production automation. The innovative MONO3D robot vision system offers a solid contour-based object detection option, which reduces costs, production time and the use of resources in a wide range of applications, such as picking parts from pallets, de-racking or positioning parts for assembly. Its special feature: The system is easy to put into operation, even by users without any expert knowledge. Integrate, connect, measure - done! Automation is automated!
The production industry requires the highest amount of flexibility: The wide range of different parts and the need to quickly switch between various production variants demand it. This is a consequence of the growing trend towards smaller batch sizes, based on many Industry 4.0 concepts. To be able to reliably pick loosely arranged parts - such as in a rack - requires the ability to exactly detect the position of objects in a three-dimensional space. MONO3D is a reliable and highly cost efficient solution to do just that and it only requires minimum installation effort.
With a single camera, the system can determine all six of an object's degrees of freedom - even if it is in motion. All that the robot vision solution needs to reliably detect the location and orientation of a part are three features, such as holes, edges or corners. This ensures a maximum range of flexibility in the parts that can be detected.
Optimized with lowest operating costs in mind, a camera and LED illumination are integrated in a compact enclosure in the pre-calibrated sensor. MONO3D can be operated in a stationary position or mounted to the robot's arm. Thanks to its high level of flexibility and minimum space requirements, the MONO3D featuring precision results to just a few tenths of a millimeter, can even be integrated easily in the existing production environment where the available space is minimal. The use of the latest Gigabit Ethernet technology increases the unit's performance. Moreover, the system can communicate with almost any robot type. Measurement volumes from the low mm³ to several m³ can be covered with MONO3D, because it can also be used in a multiple sensor network (CONact).
MONO3D is part of the "Plug & Automate" family of products with the major feature that no expert knowledge is needed to install and initially set up the systems. Set-up is fast using the clearly arranged graphic user interface. The software runs intuitively, making set-up extremely easy: Integrate, connect, measure - done!
The range of potential applications varies greatly, from removing parts from pallets and containers to positioning the parts for assembly, precisely feeding parts into the machining center. For example, automotive manufacturers use MONO3D to automatically remove doors, tailgates and hoods from a rack.
Conclusion: MONO3D makes precise 3D robot guidance possible with just a single camera while ensuring the highest level of flexibility in production. The cost benefits speak for themselves: Savings are not just realized in the cost of the equipment, but also in the easy integration process and low space requirements even in the tightest of spaces. Operating costs are low, too. And the most convincing benefit in day-to-day operations is that the investment immediately pays for itself.
