Visit the JBJ Techniques web site

Cognex supplies vision systems for Evolut robots

A Cognex UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Apr 20, 2009

Evolut has installed around 850 of its robotic systems with Cognex vision systems, enabling them to automatically recognise and identify objects with precision and to measure and inspect them.

The Italian company has installed robotic solutions in loading/unloading utensil machines, machinery equipment, printing presses, die-casting machinery and plastic-injection machinery.

A typical robotics application where vision is used is when the arm of a robot recognises an item, picks it and positions it at any given moment on an assembly line.

For this, the company deploys its vision-guided robotic system, Hawk, which is based on Visionpro technology from Cognex.

Using Cognex image acquisition cards, the installation can manage up to 10 cameras and reduce the time of image acquisition.

Additionally, the system relies on Patmax: the Cognex software for recognition and localisation of parts.

Using Patmax, Hawk is capable of identifying and finding a diverse range of objects.

The robot receives the data in order and, as such, is able to follow the handling of pieces, no matter how they are oriented.

The camera acquires the image, position and orientation of the part or object and communicates this to the robot, which is then able to pick it up.

In a typical application for Evolut, the robot relies on Visionpro and Patmax in order to obtain enough precise information on the position of a piece so that any surplus material on a joint, for example, can be located, measured and removed.

Key advantages are that: there is no need for a piece-orientation device; setup time is greatly reduced; different pieces can be dealt with in the same phase of production with a 98 per cent-reliable rate of recognition; productivity rates are increased; it is an open-architecture guided robot, rather than a standalone one; there are personalised algorithms for individual applications; and the system can handle varied lighting conditions.

As a result of its ability to adapt to the specific production environment, Patmax can simplify the planning and construction of a robotic station.

For example, since the system can measure the objects no matter how they are placed, costly mechanical feeders or pallet systems are no longer necessary.

The positioning of optical machinery and video cameras is also said to be simplified by Patmax because the software can adapt itself to the varying orientation, dimension or aspects of its environment.

With Patmax, it is also possible to eliminate the need to reprogramme or adjust the original setup if the system is moved to another part of the production line.

Send to a friend Send to a friend
Print this page Print this page
Bookmark this page Bookmark this page

Not what you're looking for? Search the site.

Back to top Back to top

Google Ads

 

Contact Cognex UK

Contact Cognex UK

Company profile and news

Related Stories

Contact Cognex UK

 

Newsletter sign up

Request your free weekly copy of the Engineeringtalk email newsletter ...

Sign up now Sign up now

Visit the JBJ Techniques web site

Articles by product category

All suppliers A - Z

A Pro-talk Publication

A Pro-talk publication