Robot Vision System: What You Need to Know

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Without robotic vision, robots are blind machines that move according to their programming. They rigidly follow the code that dictates their functions, making them ideal for repetitive tasks that could be physically draining and challenging to people. Now that we are at the advent of Industry 4.0, robots are also evolving. It will allow them to keep up with the demands and trends of the fourth industrial revolution.

Central to the evolution of robotics is the creation of a robot vision system for collaborative robots. Machine or robot vision is a key feature of this evolution, introducing new levels of precision and accuracy in smart automated processes.

Vision systems help cobots perform tasks such as inspecting, identifying, counting, measuring, or reading the barcode. Ultra-high-speed imaging and lens quality facilitate multi-operations in one process.

Machine learning is also being applied to robotics, teaching collaborative robots to perform new tasks based on data patterns. It gives vision robots sophisticated search and corrective movement skills, such as the elimination of overlaps, distortions, or misalignments.

Vision systems, however, are also useful in non-robotic functions. They can be placed in critical production floor locations such as conveyor lines to aid with product quality control reviews.

At present, most robot vision systems are used for materials handling and removals. See examples of these varied robot vision applications at Techman Robot.

Giving robots the ability to see is a game-changer. The ability to perceive their immediate surroundings significantly enhances cobot capability, which in turn benefits human workers, companies, and industries at large. We understood this early on at Techman Robot, motivating us to integrate built-in vision systems in our TM Robot Series of collaborative robots.

In practice, introducing vision-guided robots or cobots with robot AI vision into your manufacturing system makes sense if they can be easily configured and operated by your staff, saving you time and labor costs.

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How Does Robotic Vision Work?

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Cobots “see” via one or more integrated cameras. At least one robot vision camera will be mounted on the robotic arm itself, literally serving as the eye of the machine. In some cases, additional cameras are installed in strategic locations in the cobot’s working cell. This set-up allows the camera to have a wider visual angle and capture as much visual data as it needs to perform its function in collaboration with human workers.

Before the machine is deployed, it is first programmed and taught to identify the objects with which it should interact. The cobot’s camera will take 2D or 3D scans of the object. The image will then be stored in the cobot’s database and programmed to trigger the machine to move and perform specific tasks.
Once the programming is complete, the cobot can finally be installed in the assembly line.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575398734852{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

The Process

There are three segments in a robot vision system:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-caret-right” title=”Image capture” font_weight=”bold” style=”simple_ultimate” title_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#ffffff”]The cameras capture footage of the objects that enter a cobot’s workspace. If the set-up is halfway through the assembly line, there is a good chance that conveyor systems will deliver the products directly before the cobots. The camera/s will start capturing visual data from a calculated distance. Afterward, the machine will analyze the images or footage and enhance it to produce a clear picture.[/mk_icon_box][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-caret-right” title=”Image processing” font_weight=”bold” style=”simple_ultimate” title_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#ffffff”]The picture will go through further processing and analyzed by pixel. The system will compare the colors and apparent shape of the object with the image programmed in its database.[/mk_icon_box][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-caret-right” title=”Connectivity and response” font_weight=”bold” style=”simple_ultimate” title_color=”#ffffff” txt_color=”#ffffff” txt_link_color=”#ffffff”]Once the machine recognizes that the object in the picture matches the pre-programmed image, it will perform a corresponding action onto the object before it.[/mk_icon_box][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575401271137{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

This entire process happens in quick succession within seconds.

To put things into context: one good example of this process would be a robot vision system for the icing and decorating line of a cake factory. Two custom cobot arms are stationed on either end of this assembly line: one spreads buttercream frosting on the entire cake, while the other pipes complex icing designs on top.A conveyor belt brings in the cakes and gets them frosted first before conveying them to the decorating arm (meanwhile, the frosting arm gets started on the next cake).

Both arms have cameras (eyes) that scan each cake that comes before it. Every time the frosting arm registers an un-iced cake, it releases its icing nozzle and scraper, which spreads the buttercream evenly on the top and sides of the cake. The same goes with the decorating arm: the sight of an iced cake, whose frosting matches the image of the model cake programmed into its system, would trigger the machine to create the corresponding icing design.

In this scenario, the cake factory can mass-produce cakes with impressive speed and precision. The cobots in this factory are clearly recipe-driven, which means the bakery can easily change cake designs or even produce more than one cake style from a single decorating line.

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The Advantages of Robot Vision AI

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The above is a basic demonstration of how cobots enhanced with vision systems can fit into an assembly line. The example also gives us a clear idea of their benefits:

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-check” title=”Increases efficiency” font_weight=”bold” style=”boxed” icon_color=”#ffffff”]Robot vision camera can help take images for your own AI model training, and the image data can be automatically collected. The training module can then be used in factories for robots to better identify various kinds of product defects.[/mk_icon_box][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-check” title=”Ensures product consistency” font_weight=”bold” style=”boxed” icon_color=”#ffffff”]Human workers are capable of icing a cake, but it would be unrealistic to expect anyone to be consistently precise for six to eight hours straight. This is an example of repetitive tasks for which robots are an excellent replacement. And with robot vision, factories can be more flexible in these assembly lines and take advantage of the visual recognition feature. They can produce more if they allow cobots to react to the variables that enter their fields of vision.[/mk_icon_box][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-check” title=”Reliable” font_weight=”bold” style=”boxed” icon_color=”#ffffff”]Vision-guided robots are more reliable than their non-seeing counterparts. They don’t function blindly, after all. If something vastly different from the 2D or 3D images programmed in the system comes across their path, they can be made to skip that object and move on to the ones that pass this first level of quality control. In this respect, factories can boost efficiency with the use of their raw materials or parts in the assembly line.[/mk_icon_box][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-check” title=”Promotes a safe workplace” font_weight=”bold” style=”boxed” icon_color=”#ffffff”]Traditional, automatic machines move at directions and speeds per their programming. Put a human worker on its path, and it will still keep going, regardless if they get out of its path or not. Cobots with robot vision AI, on the other hand, have sensors that detect obstructions along their pre-programmed paths and movements. They stop at once their sensors register an object in the way instead of powering on at full speed. With vision-guided cobots, factories can reduce the risk of on-site accidents significantly.[/mk_icon_box][mk_icon_box icon=”mk-icon-check” title=”Reduces operating costs” font_weight=”bold” style=”boxed” icon_color=”#ffffff”]Cobots with robot vision systems constitute a major investment. Although returns on any form of investment are never guaranteed, enterprises can be sure of gains, such as time and resources saved, higher production rates, better and consistent product quality, and better-rested employees. In time, the returns can manifest as lower operating costs and increasing sales.[/mk_icon_box][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1575401917424{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]

As a creator, designer, and innovator of collaborative robots and application software, we have witnessed clients reap these benefits after integrating vision-guided cobots into their factories. These companies are from the industrial and manufacturing sectors as well as industries where the need for automation is moderate but highly beneficial.

Explore the possibilities for growth that robot vision software can bring to your business. The earlier you do it, the bigger your head start against your competitors.

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Collaborative Robot Applications: Uses in Different Industries

What is a Cobot?

“Cobot” is just shorthand for “collaborative robot,” which is an enhanced robotic arm integrated with intelligent features that allow it to interact directly with and operate harmoniously alongside humans.

Cobots are a significant part of Industry 4.0 — not just as a product of this fourth industrial revolution, but as a key player in its environment.

Cobots possess the following characteristics:

Connective

They link with other cobots and computer systems, giving you a streamlined automation process.

Smart

They possess features like built-in vision and image processing, which allows the machines to identify objects and read barcodes.

Safe

They have sensors that cease all movement to avoid accidental collision with humans and machines alike.

Flexible

Collaborative robot manufacturers like Techman Robot make room for changing needs. Our cobot’s end effectors are flexible and allow users to try a variety of applications.

The best part about this intelligent technology is it can accommodate small-scale operations, as well as large-scale manufacturing. Hence, it is applicable across a broad range of industries and can be applied to enterprises of any size.

What Are Cobots Used For?

Cobot technology is still on its way to becoming employed widely. Yet, industries have already discovered a plethora of applications for it, ranging from simple fetching and carrying actions to tasks that require more precision and power, like cutting and welding.

At Techman Robot Inc., we design and build hardware and software that offers clients a vast library of collaborative robot applications.

Applications By Industry

Manufacturing

Factories that manufacture cars, electronics, heavy machinery, appliances, even non-electronic products like furniture, toys, and clothing (manufactories that engage in mass production) can all benefit from the precision and speed of smart and automated payload arms. Traditional manufacturers that handle metals, plastics, and electronics can streamline their assembly lines and get work done faster without compromising product quality.

Agriculture

Collaborative robots in greenhouses are an example of how the technology can be scaled down to suit an enterprise’s needs. Greenhouse growers need automatons capable of high-precision tasks, such as picking delicate plants and repotting tiny seedlings.

Foodservice

Mass-produced pastry products and wrapped food can regain a “personal touch” with cobot integration. It reduces the “factory-like” environment of the assembly line as bakers, cooks, and chefs can work sequentially or in tandem with the machines. Cobots are also making their way into the fast-food industry. Robotic arms flipping burgers, frying fries, and whipping up concoctions in a coffee shop or bar could eventually become a common sight.

Pharmaceutical

Companies have long taken advantage of computer-automated machines to perform repetitive tasks that require immense precision and control. It’s possible, however, to achieve higher efficiency and lower error rates (while maintaining workplace sterility in areas like research and testing, as well as marking and packing) with cobot integration.

Warehousing

The smart features that make cobots safe around humans is proving useful in warehouses, especially with regards to e-commerce distribution and fulfillment. Amazon’s Kiva bots have demonstrated to great effect how cobots can fill the gaps in worker output, which in turn boosts the overall efficiency and accuracy of a warehouse operation. As collaborative robots like our TM Series become more accessible to the market, more storage and distribution companies can enjoy these benefits (and their operations wouldn’t have to be as massive as Amazon’s, too).

Education

In an interesting twist of fate, robots are now helping today’s students learn robotics and programming faster than ever. Cobots are affordable enough that schools aiming to advance students in these fields of study can acquire them. They are also excellent for lead-through programming, a mode that “teaches” the robot a sequence of movements or tasks by physically or remotely guiding the machine through the motions. The cobot robot then stores the position data and executes it on command, showing students how to operate a robot even with limited coding knowledge. Seeing how robots respond to their commands can excite and inspire students to learn to program at depth.

Entertainment

A less-known use of cobot nowadays is in the entertainment industry. Cobots are used in filming to carry cameras that are too heavy for humans to handle. They are also great for situations where filming spaces are too tight for a traditional crane. Cinema robots can film precise shots at high speeds and through a complex series of camera angles and motions.

Applications By Type Of Collaboration

Thanks to their flexibility as programmable hardware, cobots can be integrated into any stage of a manufacturing process or assembly line. They could be stationed at the beginning (e.g., transporting and cutting of raw materials) middle (e.g., assembly, product processing), or end (e.g., boxing, wrapping, labeling). Cobots can also be present in all segments of the production process, moving right beside human workers and supervisors.

We can, therefore, identify four types of collaborations that are possible through cobots.

  1. Parallel

In this set-up, cobots are at work in one assembly line; human workers are at another. It’s no different from the computer-automated machines of the third industrial revolution; only this time, there is no need to isolate the machines in enclosed cells or rooms. The cobots are safe to work around with, especially since their and the workers’ paths do not intersect. Factories can save on square footage and overhead costs on top of the expected advantages offered by collaborative robots.

  1. Sequential

Cobots and humans are made to work in one assembly line, but their tasks still do not intersect or overlap. Sequential collaboration means one performs a task first then passes the output to the next station in the assembly line. Humans and machines share the workspace, and they are now more dependent on one another.

  1. Interactive

This is a rare form of cobot-human collaboration because both are working on the same part or segment of the production process at the same time. For instance, the machine could hold two pieces in place while a worker seals the joints or adds components best handled by human hands. Interactive collaboration is also partly sequential: the cobot or the worker has to stay immobile to allow the other to perform his/her or its task.

  1. Responsive

The highest form of collaboration which requires complex robotics, responsive collaborations also put the cobot and the worker in the same space at the same time. Here’s the catch: both respond to one another’s movements in real-time. The majority of our industries are still unable to execute this type of cobot-human collaboration, but it is something they can aim for.

The Future For Cobots— Will You Be A Part Of It?

We are still working our way up to seeing cobots manning a Starbucks counter or handing out our takeout at a drive-through. Yet, this is the future that visionaries expect to see soon. Markets and Markets, a global authority on industry reports and research, predicts that the collaborative robot market will grow from $710 million in 2018 to over $12 billion by 2025. This suggests a broader use for cobots, and not just in the industries that are already utilizing them.

Your business enterprise might eventually contribute to this estimate, but why wait for 2025 when you can start now? The earlier you integrate cobots into your processes, the quicker you can raise your efficiency and fulfillment volumes. Cobot integration will also be instrumental in elevating your workers’ skills. They can graduate from tasks that are menial and repetitive to ones that require critical thinking and demand higher accountability.

In maximizing the collaborative robot applications, you can meet your business goals and promote upskilling across the board.

Contact us today here for a free consultation.

A Word from Cobot Manufacturers: On Cobot Functions and Applications

Collaborative Robots

When you think of a robot in a manufacturing plant, you may visualize a sizeable mechanical arm assembling car parts, cobot welding electronics, or a device that fills hundreds of food packages every few minutes. These are called industrial robots, which are fully automated to do specialized tasks like pumping, packing, labeling, and more.

But they’re often isolated, working on their own or with their fellow robots. This is because they operate at a fast rate, which may harm humans that come near them. Another downside of such machines is that they’re seen as a threat to human jobs, taking manual work that people used to do.

However, a new breed of machines, known as collaborative robots, is starting to rise in the market, which is specially made to work closely with humans. What does “collaborative robot” mean?

What are Cobots?

Collaborative robots, or “cobots,” are robots that are intended to work hand-in-hand with employees. These machines focus more on repetitive tasks, such as inspection and picking, to help workers focus more on tasks that require problem-solving skills. Since they’re operating next to people, they work at a more manageable speed and have sensors that program the machine to stop immediately when a person makes any contact with them.

Apart from safety, here are other advantages of having a cobot on your production floor.

  • A Breeze to Set Up – Unlike their industrial-grade big brothers, cobots are often compact and simple to operate. Setting them up requires little to no programming experience. As such, training your employees to use and program them will be a breeze. Some companies even deploy fully-functional cobots in just weeks. This is compared to industrial bots that need experts to customize and take months to set-up for everyday use.
  • Versatile – Cobots are designed to take on different kinds of tasks. As long as you have the suitable end effectors, you can program packing bots to take on labeling or inspecting jobs in just a few minutes. Some cobots are even made to be mobile, so you can easily transfer them to help out another station. They operate much more straightforward than their industrial counterparts, which need extensive changes done to their software and hardware to be repurposed.
  • Empowers Employees – Repetitive motions are the leading causes of injury like hernias, carpal tunnel syndrome, and back pain. Back injuries and discomfort were cited in almost 39% of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in the Americal workplaces in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Cobots can easily take over repetitive manual work for employees. Not only will workers be freed to do more creative tasks, but they’ll also file fewer sick days from workplace injuries.

functions of cobots

A Wide Range of Applications

The collaborative robot market is expected to reach a value of over $11.8 billion in 2030, according to analytics firm ABI Research. This is an enormous jump from $711 million in 2019. This optimistic projection comes from the increasing application of cobots across different industries.

The firm also stated that it’s not just big companies utilizing the power of these machines, small to medium businesses are even buying units for manufacturing – from hand guiding cobots, to palletizing cobots, and collaborative robot arms.

Here are some of the industries that make the most out of cobots.

A Hit in Manufacturing

The versatility of cobots has made them a hit in the manufacturing industry. They serve a variety of functions on the production floor. These include:

  • All in the Right Place – Cobots like palletizers can be equipped with cameras or sensors that inspect parts of a product for any defects. They can also be used to measure specific components to ensure that they’re being sorted into the right stream in the assembly line.
  • Precise Tool Handling – Cobot arms are so accurate that companies are using them to handle process tasks like soldering, screwing, and welding. They can perform these tasks day in and day out (and even after hours) without any slow-downs. They make little to no mistakes, too, so you can rest easy knowing your products have consistently good quality.
  • A Perfect Finish – Machines can also be outfitted with force sensors that measure the pressure that the bot exerts on items. Equipped with attachments for sanding, grinding, painting, and more, cobots can provide a consistent finish to any product.

What’s great about these tasks is that they can be transferred easily to other cobots as well. There’s no need to recreate or adjust lines of code. Talk about consistent quality!

factory worker setting up the robot machine

Loved in Logistics

Cobots are also well-received in logistics, as they help get deliveries out much faster, which then influences collaborative robot manufacturers to continuously develop more cobot features. A significant example of their use in this field would be in the warehouses of e-commerce giant, Amazon. They’re using cobots that not only transfer items from one place to another but also sense the item’s fragility to adjust their grip accordingly.

Here are other ways collaborative bots are used in logistics.

  • Doing the Heavy Lifting – Mobile cobots can be designated to carry loads through a pre-programmed. These minimize the need for workers to take heavy boxes by hand or use heavy equipment like forklifts.
  • Sealed and Delivered – Like with part inspection, adding cameras to a bot can turn it into an accurate and efficient picking machine. And with a gripper or suction cups, they can form cartons, load items in, and seal boxes. This makes fulfillment much more efficient and accurate.

Manufacturers of cobots stay updated to deliver the best in operational efficiency without taking away jobs. This is why cobots are a testament that automation and AI aren’t made to replace humans in the assembly line. Instead, they improve the lives of employees on the production floor.

By taking on repetitive tasks, they provide workers with opportunities to take on work that need more creativity than brawn. A cobot palletizer is one example. And because cobots often take on repetitive and sometimes dangerous work, they also keep workplace injuries to a minimum.

The flexibility and safety that cobots provide are why they’re becoming more and more popular with businesses across different industries. And because bots are easy to set up and program, they’re also starting to become a staple in small manufacturing plants. With cobot market values continuing to go up, the future is definitely a collaboration between man and machine.

The Advantages of Cobots in the Manufacturing Industry

collaborative-robot-techman-robot

Robots in manufacturing were often used by already established companies to speed up their operations and save costs. But their complex programming was too steep for small to medium businesses. Collaborative robots, also known as “cobots,” are making automation more accessible for up and coming companies, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). But what does cobot mean, anyway?

Cobots are artificial intelligence-powered machines created especially to work with humans. Here are some examples of how collaborative bots are applied in manufacturing.

  • Pick, Place, and Pack – Picking and packing goods is a task that is prone to human error, and sometimes, injury. A cobot can fulfill these tasks without making mistakes, giving companies faster lead times for deliveries, and fewer return requests from customers because of packing errors.
  • Quality Control – Cobots can also be equipped with special cameras and software that lets them detect and report on flaws of a product. It gives owners more confidence about the level of their goods’ quality.
  • Heavy Lifting – Some collaborative robots are capable of lifting, transferring, and organizing goods on their own. They minimize the need for procuring and operating heavy equipment like forklifts.

The cobot industry is growing at a rapid pace. It was valued at $580 million in 2018 and is expected by BIS Research to grow to a whopping $9.13 billion by 2024. And it’s no surprise, as these collaborative robots have various benefits, from productivity to safety on the floor.

They Eliminate Repetitive Tasks

Without automation, workers would be stuck doing repetitive tasks by hand every day. This kind of labor can have adverse effects on the health and wellbeing of workers. Cobots help eliminate those strenuous tasks. This is evidenced by the Chicago Tribune’s report on the collaborative robots used in the Kay Manufacturing plant in Illinois. It followed the story of a factory worker who has been with the company for over 25 years.

His work consisted of inspecting every surface of lamp parts to ensure that there were no defects. This task, among other manually intensive ones, caused him to develop arthritis in his hands and fit. With a cobot doing most of the examination, he’s more than happy to focus on more critical tasks like operating his assigned machine and managing his side of the supply chain.

Because these bots don’t ever feel tired or out of focus, they’re significantly less prone to making mistakes than humans. It just goes to show that cobots don’t only improve a company’s overall productivity, but they also enhance employees’ quality of life.

Cobots are Easy to Use

One of the barriers to automation for small enterprises was complicated programming. You often have to hire an in-house developer or ask the manufacturer to customize your machine’s software according to your needs. Hiring and onboarding a team of programmers take a lot of time and money that small business can’t afford. As such, some companies resort to outsourcing their manufacturing. But for those who want to build their parts in-house and want to monitor their quality closely, cobots may be an easy-to-use solution.

These machines don’t need programming experience to use and tune according to your company or workers’ preferences. They can easily be taught through cobot-designed software on a computer. Collaborative robots are also lighter and more compact than their fully-automated counterparts, making them a breeze to set up.
Kay Manufacturing’s first cobot was fully-functional within a month. The workers completed the device’s programming tutorial in less than 90 minutes.

They’re Also Flexible

Because cobots are smaller than their industrial big brothers, they’re also more mobile. Some machines can be wheeled from one station to the other with minimal hassle. Apart from having mobile and flexible hardware, collaborative robots also have flexible software.

You can change the way a machine functions and behaves with just a few steps on the program software. Plus, their arm attachments can be switched easily. This modularity lets you repurpose your cobot from one task to another, unlike industrial robots that may need extensive hardware changes to be repurposed. Developers may also need to write new lines of code to accommodate this change.

For example, you can replace a picking and packing bot’s arm with a dropper or tube and nozzle and reprogram them as filler. And when you get your machine from a trusted collaborative cobot manufacturer, you can expect regular updates that improve your bot’s performance and even add new functionalities.

A Matter of Safety

Unlike industrial robots, collaborative robots are designed to work side-by-side with humans. This is why they move at a slower speed and apply less force. Testing firm TUVRheinland stated in a 2017 article about cobots and safety that apart from limiting the power of bots, companies should also employ fail-safes like person detection to keep employees safe. Cybersecurity measures should also be applied to protect the machines from being controlled by people other than the operators.

We make sure that both precautions are applied when we design and manufacture our machines here at Techman Robot. If a cobot has to work with a sharp object, however, you may need to create fencing or spacing rules for employees.

Conclusion

Collaborative robots present an optimistic future in manufacturing. Cobots show that AI and automation aren’t made to take human jobs. They’re made to work with employees to create products faster and with more precision. They also utilize smart technology, with downloadable applications that make it easy for someone with little to no programming experience to develop a set of commands for their bots with just a few taps from their tablet or smartphone. Some units are also extremely mobile and can adapt to different types of tasks.

It’s this combination of collaboration, versatility, and accessibility that make cobots appealing to manufacturers and investors everywhere. With the industry’s value continuing to rise, cobots may become a staple in every manufacturing firm’s production floor.

A Primer on Using Collaborative Robots (Cobots) with Robotic Vision

Encoder-PCBA-Assembly

Collaborative robots, also known as cobots, are the latest generation of robot systems. Rather than replace the job of humans, these cobots work alongside individuals and become part of the overall production workforce. When you’re able to come up with a workflow that leverages the fantastic attributes of both cobots and humans, you can reap so many benefits for your business. Some of them include:

  • Safer Production Operations –Cobots, when equipped with vision and sensor technologies, help keep workers safe from quick machine movements. Facility owners don’t have to place these machines behind a cage. The equipped sensors allow cobots to stop their movement when they encounter any obstacles to avoid crashing into people or objects.
  • Reasonable Price Tag – A report by the Financial Times revealed that the price of collaborative machines could be as low as $24,000, on average, per unit. Conventional industrial robots, on the other hand, usually cost from $50,000 to $80,000 per machine. This makes cobots a morecost-effective alternative for both small and medium manufacturing companies.
  • Customizable –Traditional robotic machines often stay in one location and perform one or two specific tasks. Cobots, in contrast, are both mobile and flexible. You may redeploy them for multiple and new applications.

Why Cobots Should Have a Robot Vision System

Giving a sense of vision to your robots will make these machines more collaborative and will set them apart froma traditional industrial robot. Additionally, it will open up many possibilities for your manufacturing business. Before the advent of robot vision AI, most robots were “blind.”  It means that machines could only perform non-visual tasks, such as lifting stuff. By giving these robots “eyes,” your machines can do the following:

  • Read and Scan a Barcode
  • Categorize a Product or Item by Color, Size, or Shape
  • Count Items
  • Adjust the Path of the Machine by Providing It with Feedback from the Vision System
  • Inspect Components for Any Defects or Issues
  • Identify a Component Accurately

A Look at the Types of Vision System Technology for Robots

If you’re going to introduce a cobot with a robot vision AI capability to your facility, you’ll need to install a robot visionsystem. You currently have three options for your vision system technology:

1D Technology

A one-dimensional sensor may be sufficient for your manufacturing plant if your goal is to figure out the height of a particular component moving on a conveyor system. You could, for instance, utilize a cobot equipped with a 1D sensor to calculate the distance from the surface of an object to the sensor. The machine will display a laser point on a surface and use triangulation to obtain the distance value.

You can also harness 1D technology for inspections. If you plan to check the surface of a product or component on a moving conveyor, you may install a machine with a line-scan camera on top of the conveyor. This enables you to collect line images, combine them to form a two-dimensional picture and perform an analysis on the photo.

2D Technology

Cobots with 2D scanning technology are similar to the traditional cameras that people use.This technology allows you to generate images by obtaining the x and y coordinates for the values of each pixel.

Besides cameras, you can integrate 2Dtechnology into a cobot and turn the machine into a 2D laser scanner. With this technology, you can obtain the distance measurements for the entire width of a product or component.

3D Technology

You may harness the benefit of 3D technology by integrating it into a cobot to create a 3D scanner. These scanners employ a range of techniques, such as structured lighting and laser triangulation. You can apply these techniques for various purposes, including metrology and reverse engineering.Depending on your goal, you can obtain precise data (which could take minutes) or get quick, approximate data that’s still adequate for your needs.

Choosing the Vision System for Your Needs

When it comes to the specific vision system you can purchase on the market, you have two options. First is an independent or standalone camera with a sensor that requires processing on a separate device. The second is a smart camera or intelligent camera that comes with a processor and sensor embedded in a casing. Figuring out which option is more superior is futile, as the ideal choice would depend on the need of your facility.

If you need help choosing the most suitable camera for your manufacturing plant, take note of these criteria:

  • Price – If you’re getting a camera with a state-of-the-art processor that generates hi-res images, you can expect to shell out cash with these kinds of specifications. On top of that, you’ll need to synchronize both the camera and the processor. Alternatively, you can opt for an independent, plug-and-play camera if you’re on a budget.
  • The Need for Image Processing –Independent, non-integrated cameras need a processor to analyze the collected images. You can, for instance, plug this camera to your PC and let the computer process the photos for you. On the other hand, smart cameras have embedded software libraries that perform basic image processing.You can configure the parameters of an intelligent camera to teach a template image, recognize a pattern, and more.
  • Programming Expertise – Programming a smart camera can be easier than configuring its standalone counterpart. Some intelligent cameras have an online-based interface that allows you to connect the camera to a device by configuring the IP setting. Others contain a built-in vision feature that you can set up quickly. Non-integrated standalone cameras, on the other hand, need an additional program or software that enables you to analyze images.

When it comes to cobots, remember only one name: Techman Robot. The name “Techman” comes from two words: Technology and Human. It implies our vision of utilizing robotics technology to enrich the lives of employees and help businesses around the world. We want to see people working next to cobots in a single production line. As we quickly expand in the global collaborative robot market, we want to promote cobots to various applications and hope that the things we do make lives better for people.

Reach out to us today for a free consultation.