Industrial robot receives smart cameras

TM Robotics (Europe) has teamed up with Scorpion Vision to offer an industrial robot solution that will allow engineers to integrate their own automation and industrial vision applications.

TM Robotics (Europe) has teamed up with Scorpion Vision to offer an industrial robot solution using Toshiba Machine Scara robots, Sony Scorpion smart cameras and the Scorpion open software tool for industrial vision.

The new package will allow engineers in the manufacturing industry to easily integrate their own automation and industrial vision applications.

The Sony Scorpion smart camera is a rugged, industrial vision package comprising an in-built PC and a high-end CCD (charge coupled device) camera.

The entire unit is no bigger than a typical CCTV camera, easily networked and simple to set up and integrate.

It supports Windows XP and Linux operating systems, allowing OEMs and system integrators to install a variety of software applications and third-party libraries.

The Scorpion open software is founded on a standard Windows 2000/XP PC platform - making it simple to use and scalable.

It's authored by Tordivel AS of Norway and distributed in the UK by Scorpion Vision.

Commenting on the state of the machine vision market Paul Wilson, a Director of Scorpion said, "Machine vision has matured to a stage where it is now regarded as a fully integrated component".

"It makes the robot system much more flexible because you no longer have to train the robot in every move, instead it responds to the vision prompts".

"The crux of the issue is that vision is no longer seen as a luxury for very high-end systems".

"We can now sell off-the-shelf solutions, even online".

"You can build a robot vision system for a few thousand pounds or less, making this very accessible technology".

"This relationship is rewarding for both parties", explained Wilson.

"We bring a number of Scorpion Vision resellers in a range of industries that are eager to incorporate a Toshiba Machine robot into their existing package".

"In turn TM Robotics is able to offer a complete solution direct to its customers and through its integration partners", he concluded.

"I have long felt that it's better to be able offer a complete package containing a separate vision system and robot, as opposed to a robot with an integrated camera", explained Richard Hill, technical Director of TM Robotics.

"It gives the end user the best of all worlds - a robot designed and built by experts, software written by experts and a camera developed by experts".

"It also gives the integrator the chance to choose the right camera for the job".

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