Vision technology cuts production times

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Jul 27, 2007

Edge Vision decided to install a vision guided robotic solution, placing an In-Sight 5100 at the end of the arm of a robot.

An automotive company managed to cut assembly times by 20% after implementing a vision-guided robot solution based on In-Sight vision technology from Cognex.

Cognex distributor Edge Vision recommended In-Sight as a robust solution for their client.

Since 1980, SAP in Barcelona has been providing solutions and components for the automatisation of industrial processes.

With customised facilities the company is in a position to provide "turn-key" solutions such as robotic applications and the resolution of complex problems guaranteeing maximum reliability.

SAP found itself faced with a quality control challenge.

One of its automotive customers needed a special machine for the assembly and inspection of certain part for a van.

The part concerned resembles an iron tube and is a key element of the internal structure of the van, containing 70 different points of inspection such as welded nuts, screws and holes.

The industrial environment concerned would be dusty and oily with variable lighting and many of the parts to be inspected were also liable to be oily and dirty which would make them difficult to find and reliably inspect.

SAP turned to Edge Vision, a Cognex distributor, seeking a robust and reliable solution.

Edge Vision decided on the In-Sight range of vision systems, fully robust and capable of handling an instable and variable operating environment.

Edge Vision decided to install a vision guided robotic solution.

They placed an In-Sight 5100 at the end of the arm of a robot.

The position of each point to be inspected is communicated to the robot.

The robot 'learns' the route to follow and inspects all points using the In-Sight 5100 as its 'eyes'.

Points to be checked include welded nuts, holes and screws.

The Cognex vision tool, PatMax proved essential.

This powerful algorithm played a vital role in part localisation under such conditions.

Information is communicated to a user-friendly PC interface.

Progress can be easily monitored and results recorded by the operators.

The usual production and assembly time for this particular van is reduced by 20%.

The process has been made a lot safer, more reliable, faster and cost-effective.

Previously this would have had to been done mechanically.

In-Sight vision systems were the only products capable of handling a hostile industrial environment thanks to their robustness.

As a result, potential faults down the line are reduced to a minimum, preventing future costly product recalls.

David Torres from Edge Vision commented, "By implementing this robotic solution based on In-Sight vision systems from Cognex, our client has been able to reduce production cycle time by 20%, thus saving money and boosting productivity in the same manner".

"In-Sight will be included as a standard option on their machines from now on".