6 Rules for Successfully Applying Machine Vision

 

New vision applications at RR Floody commence with a documented application evaluation process that consist of 6 basic rules. This process is based on decades of machine vision experience, and we truly feel it is not only the correct way to approach machine vision; but the only way.  Rule #1: Good data in, equals good data out Rule #2: Make certain you are programming from a “Golden Image” Rule #3: Accurately name your inspection tools and machine vision components Rule #4: Check your work Rule #5: When in doubt, consult an expert Rule #6: No Fear! Get the complete description of each of the 6 rules, and watch our 6 Rules Videos.

MiR1000 Mobile Industrial Robots

Automate Transport Tasks

The new MiR1000™ is the most robust robot that Mobile Industrial Robots offers to date, with a payload of 1000 kg (2,200 lbs). You are able to optimize your pallet transportation: MiR1000 picks up, transports and delivers pallets autonomously with the MiR1000 pallet lifts, and ensures a smooth, safe, and efficient transportation of your pallets.

MiR1000 automatically navigates around obstacle, and is able to re-route to avoid stopping or delaying the delivery of materials. MiR1000 does not need to be manned, so it optimizes the transportation of pallets and frees up employees for more valuable tasks.

MiR1000 is controlled via smartphone, tablet or computer using the intuitive MiR Robot Interface, and it can be programmed without prior programming experience.

Learn more…

Cognex In-Sight 9000 12MP Vision System

Single camera solution to multi-camera applications

The In-Sight 9000 series offers Cognex’s first rugged, ultra-high-resolution, standalone vision systems. With its ability to acquire and process exceptionally detailed images, the In-Sight 9000 delivers high accuracy part location, measurement, and inspection over a large area—even when mounted at longer distances. Line scan and area scan image acquisition options are available for imaging continuously moving or stationary objects.

Stand-out features include:

• Area scan and line scan image options for imaging continuously moving or stationary objects
• Cognex’s full suite of vision tools
• Easy configurability through the In-Sight EasyBuilder interface
• 12MP (area scan) and 32MP (line scan) image acquisition

Learn more about In-Sight 9000 12MP Vision System

STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME WITH UNIVERSAL ROBOTS E-SERIES

With the e-Series you can unpack, mount and program your cobot in less than an hour with no special electrical requirements.

Built with the future in mind, the e-Series is designed to grow in capability alongside your business, a spring board to improved product quality and productivity, so you will always be able to stay ahead of competition. Equipped with intuitive programming, versatile use and an almost endless list of opportunities for add-ons, the e-Series is able to complement production regardless of your industry, company size or product nature.

• 0.03mm repeatability on UR3e/UR5e, UR10e 0.05mm
• Built in Force/Torque sensor
• New Control Box and Teach Pendant Design
• New programming software that is even easier

learn more about Universal Robots

Does a Flex Feeding System Make Sense for You?

Tech Brief:

Flexible Part Feeding or flex feeding refers to a process used to feed or load parts into a manufacturing process. A flex feeding system is comprised of a flexible feeder (to feed the part), a vision system (to help the robot locate part) and a robot (to pick and place the part). The main advantage of a flex feeding system is that it allows for different parts to be fed into the same system with little to no effort on the operator’s part. With the availability of low cost robots and the variety of high performance flex feeders, flex feeding systems are hot right now but they might not be right for everyone.

Read this article for the three-step evaluation process used to determine whether a flex feeding solution makes sense for your application.

5 Unique Conveyor Solutions to Merge Product

Merging Conveyors are used to consolidate the flow of product from multiple infeed lines. Typically, these systems will merge the product into a single stream on one conveyor for the next phase in the production process.

There are many ways to merge product, such as: diverters and gates, product pushers, lane guiding, ARB Conveyors and more.

These systems are created to ensure facilities are running efficiently and eliminating bottlenecks while avoiding product pile up or overflow.

Choosing the right type of merge system depends on the application and characteristics of the product that it is created for. Each product is different and Dorner’s custom merge conveyors are engineered to your specific needs.

Here are some examples of solutions we’ve created in the past:

Heavy Duty Product Pusher

This system is merging two infeed lines using a product pusher. Baskets carrying product weighing up to 500 lbs are transferred onto the center conveyor in front of the pusher from either line.

Once the photo eyes confirm the basket is in the correct position, the pusher is activated and transfers the product onto the takeaway conveyor (not pictured).

Powered Side Guide Merge

While standard UHMW guides can often be used for simple 2-to-1 merges, some applications can benefit from a powered side guide. These can be useful in situations such as: heavy product that needs assistance over the side transfer, delicate product that you don’t want rubbing on the guide, and precision applications where you want better speed control through the merge.

The powered side guide can also be used to pull a gap between products.

Pneumatic Gate Merge

For this application, empty bottles were traveling down two different infeed lines and needed to be merged onto a single line. Pneumatic gates at the point of the merge can open or close, allowing one line through while bottles are able to accumulate behind the closed gate.

Pneumatic Product Squeezer

This application is very similar to the previous merge, but instead of gates, the system uses pneumatic squeezers.

When one of the infeed conveyor flows needs to be stopped, the squeezer activates and holds the rolls of paper in place. This allows rolls on that side to accumulate until released.

4-to-1 Merge

Using our sanitary AquaPruf conveyors, we designed this 4-to-1 packaging merge with servo motors and photo eyes to maintain fast and consistent product throughput. Since this system was made for a food application, the stainless steel conveyors are completely washdown for sanitation and food safety.

Dorner D-Tool Online complete conveyor configurator

Design and engineer a simple or complex conveyors to meet your specific needs in minutes.  You can construct a complete conveyor package or select individual components. This intuitive tool will walk you through every aspect of the conveyor from motor placement and belt type to accessory options.

Once you’ve completed your system, D-Tools will generate a comprehensive list of your components that you can receive via email. You can request a quote and select a variety of drawing options including 2D and 3D CAD assembly models.

Go to D-Tools conveyor configurator

Cognex DataMan 8070 Series Handheld Code Quality Verifier

Barcode verification is the process of grading the quality of barcodes. Barcode verifiers capture images and generate reports to demonstrate compliance to parameters within industry standardization guidelines.

The DataMan® 8070 series verifier is packed with powerful lighting options, robust grading algorithms, a high-speed processing engine, and a high-resolution camera to capture and grade the most difficult DPM codes. As the only DPM verifier on the market with 30-, 45-, and 90-degree lighting options, the DataMan 8070 verifier can easily illuminate codes on textured, curved, and even highly reflective surfaces.

MiRHook™ Automated Pallet Fork Transport

 

Within logistics applications, the MirHook™ mobile industrial robot is often used to tow a pallet with a pallet fork. The mobile robot can locate the pallet fork and transport it to it’s destination autonomously. In this way the employees only have to load and unload the pallet from the pallet fork, saving valuable time by not needing to do the transportation themselves.

The MiRHook supports the transport of loads up to 500 kg (1100 lbs) , providing exciting new internal logistics options for weighty or unwieldy cargos. The MiRHook robot identifies carts by QR markers and autonomously transports them as you define.

Industry 4.0, IIoT & Smart Factory Informative Seminar

Come hear the latest trends in automation and manufacturing with a hands-on look at mobile industrial and collaborative robots and check out the latest in vision and traceability.

Date: Thursday February 8, 2018
Time: 9:00am – Noon
Location: Holiday Inn, 1000 Busse Rd, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007

AGENDA:

• Basics in Industry 4.0, IIoT and Smart Factory
• Evolution of automation equipment
• The factory of the future
• How machine vision can improve your bottom line
• Q & A

Register at: http://www.rrfloody.com/Events.html