Can robot automation be realized in the hottest sm

mass production is developed hand in hand with robot automation. Robots used in this kind of production plan do not need much flexibility. They just repeatedly load and unload a part onto the machine thousands of times

however, in order to adapt to the frequent replacement of workpieces and small batch production, this inflexible robot hinders the possibility of integrating robot automation system into workshop work. Fanuc robot company has developed a video system based on v-500iapc, which has been specially designed to make it possible for small batch production workshops to realize robot automation. Workshops of different sizes can share all the advantages provided by automatic machinery, including high spindle utilization, automatic burring, automatic measurement or automatic assembly, and the use of manual labor in an intelligent way

according to Mr. richardjohnson, general manager of FANUC company in charge of material handling, the latest video technology based on PC can enable robots to automatically pick parts without using special part positioning fixtures. Now, the parts can be transferred to the robot in a less complex structure (such as through a belt conveyor), and the robot can clamp a new part only by making appropriate debugging and changing its clamping mode. In addition to determining the position of parts, robots can also identify various parts in a certain part series through video technology

PC based video system allows parts to be transferred to the robot without clamping device. This method has quite high flexibility and is suitable for the transmission of parts with different geometric shapes. In the environment of small batch production, it is absolutely necessary to adopt this method.

Mr. Johnson raised some questions here. He believes that the current video system can be applied to mechanical robots

where is the camera installed

a video system can be installed with one or more cameras at the beginning, and the camera can mainly shoot the lens of a part, so that the system software can determine the position and direction of the part. The camera can be installed on the arm of a robot to capture the image of parts from different angles. The static camera can be installed far above or adjacent to the robot picking parts. For the camera installed at a long distance, its installation position can be higher than the arm of the robot, so that the depth of field of the camera can reach the maximum range. For example, for parts stored in multi-layer inventory, the camera in the high position can focus and capture the image of each layer of parts from top to bottom

can the current video system see more clearly

early video systems are particularly sensitive to lighting and the need to explore a new development path of plastic granulator technology. These systems use binary mode, that is, each pixel in the image is either open or closed. At present, many video systems are based on the further improvement of gray-scale market cooperation, and their software has post-processing ability, which can further improve the quality of images. In terms of lighting and contrast, this kind of gray-scale system is more inclusive than binary system, but effective lighting is still a key part of video system after all

how do robots recognize parts

the video system can determine the position of parts arranged in different directions on the pallet and conveyor belt. Fanuc company provides a parts warehouse without fixed clamping device, which adopts multi-layer pallets. When there are no parts in the warehouse, the robot can automatically open or close them. Then approach the next floor of the inventory with parts. The software used in the v-500ia system has the characteristic of comparing geometric shapes, so as to check the geometric shape of an object, rather than looking for a trained pixel pattern. This is helpful to determine whether the parts in the robot's hand are in the same direction or whether the parts are partially covered

does this application field need two-dimensional or three-dimensional systems

for small parts located on the X-Y plane (such as on a conveyor belt or pallet), a two-dimensional system may be sufficient. However, for larger parts or parts on the X, y and Z planes, three-dimensional systems are often required

the software of this video system can check the actual geometry of a part rather than the sorted pixel graphics, which is conducive to identifying the size and direction changes. In the most widely used types of conventional plastic granulator equipment, different parts

what direction does the design trend of robots begin to develop

robots designed for mechanical automation have increasingly sophisticated structures, faster working speeds, and more powerful functions. Because of its exquisite design structure, it is easier to rearrange in the workshop; Due to the acceleration of its work speed, its production capacity has been greatly improved; Because of its improved workload performance, it can better operate larger parts