Vision-guided robots rack auto parts

摘要

Unlike traditional two-dimensional (2-D) vision-guided-robot-system applications, new manufacturing applications require a robot to find a part on its own within a limited 3-D space and not depend on hard, fixtures to hold the part, additional labor to load and orient the part, or upstream actuators, sorters, and feeders to singulate parts (see Fig. 1). Since 2001, DaimlerChrysler has taken me lead in deploying 3-D vision-guided robotics for autoracking applications, moving labor costs away from lift-assisted assemblies and other complex assemblies while using vision-guided automation to add flexibility to the manufacturing line. During the past four years, these systems have evolved from beta workcells to a broadly accepted manufacturing technology—an evolution that holds many lessons for vision and robotics suppliers, as well as integrators and end users looking to automate complex assembly tasks.