Robots add flexibility to automated inspection
An
ABB Robotics product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jun 10, 2005
A revolutionary new inspection system using a robot-mounted camera, is providing a unique approach to the examination, integrity and traceability of mass manufactured assemblies.
A revolutionary new inspection system using a robot-mounted camera, is providing a unique approach to the examination, integrity and traceability of mass manufactured assemblies, according to system developers Goldlogic Control Systems (GCS), of Worsley, Manchester.
Eliminating the fallibility of human inspection and the inefficiencies of static inspection systems, the GCS system takes advantage of the six-axis mobility and accuracy of ABB robots to position a camera at various predetermined positions to examine key features of an assembly.
"The manoeuvrability and repeatability of the ABB robot, and the accuracy of its programming system, mean that the camera can be positioned at the optimum angle for illuminating and photographing the target - a vital factor when inspecting welds, for example, and an impossible task with a static camera system", says Iain Smith, who cofounded GCS in 1989 to provide high quality PLC and Scada systems to the industrial sector.
Fully supportable standard OEM equipment is specified for the system including a ceiling/wall/floor mounted ABB IRB 140 or floor mounted IRB 2400 robot, Siemens VS 723 camera, and Siemens S7 programmable logic control (PLC), which communicates with both camera and robot over a Profibus network.
A further feature of the system is a PC-based archiving software program developed by GCS.
The GCS system is a unique industry solution according to Smith: "Though we use standard equipment throughout, we are the first company to have brought everything together within the one system".
"When linked to our own specially developed data acquisition software, the result is an innovative and extremely cost-efficient inspection system".
Using the new system, a typical examination of a car seat frame assembly could incorporate, on average, 20 inspections.
These could include inspection of specific key welds for integrity; dimensional check of washers to ensure the correct piece part is installed; correct installation of rivets; and the examination of threads for weld spatter.
Each cycle is not only very fast, when compared with visual inspection methods - but also very, very accurate, according to GCS.
GCS' bespoke software communicates with camera, PLC and robot, uploading a 300Kbyte bitmap image to the PC hard drive at each inspection position.
Every image can be stored, or optionally, only "failed" images uploaded, depending on requirements.
The uploaded image can be readily identified by a file number linked to the part number or bar coding of the product.
If necessary the stored data can then be transferred by Ethernet to a central server - although a standard industrial PC with a 160Gbyte drive would take about 10 years to fill when in virtually constant use.
Any number and virtually any type of visual inspection can be included within the cycle - by simply amending the robot and PLC programs.
In addition, a modified part can be rapidly brought online; just by "teaching" the robot and PLC the new co-ordinates.
Similarly, when new assemblies are introduced, the robot-based inspection system can be quickly and economically reprogrammed, unlike static inspection systems, which may well have to be scrapped.
Iain Smith comments: "Although the system was initially developed for the automotive industry it has viable applications within the aerospace, pharmaceutical, white goods and the electronics industries - indeed anywhere that traceability is a requirement".
Having conducted its first sale of the system 12 months ago to a tier 1 automotive supplier, further sales have followed and strong interest is being shown by various industries.
Summing up on the part played by ABB robots in the success of the GCS system Iain Smith says: "GCS has a long history with ABB robots stretching back many years and the IRB 140 and IRB 2400 have proved very reliable and accurate platforms on which to base our flexible inspection system".
"GCS is also proud to be an ABB partner, providing both PLC programming and vision systems for them within a wide range of automotive industry applications".
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