Smart robot that picks parts from bins

Abstract

Purpose

To describe how one innovative company has developed software which teamed with a vision system allows an agile robot to be taught how to pick randomly place parts from a multi‐layered bin.

Design/methodology/approach

Software, which runs on an industrial PC‐based computer platform, has unique algorithms, which can identify randomly placed 3D parts in a bin and calculate the path the robot needs to take to pick each part.

Findings

The software has been successfully applied to picking many different part configurations, including odd‐shaped brackets, long slender vehicle axles, round brake rotors and cylindrical shaped pistons and other automotive housings.

Practical implications

Vision‐guided robotic picking can now be more efficient and faster than manual part picking in many applications. Users need to rethink part picking.

Originality/value

A long‐sought solution to quickly picking parts from bins is now a reality.

Citation

Bloss, R. (2006), "Smart robot that picks parts from bins", Assembly Automation, Vol. 26 No. 4, pp. 279-282. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445150610705182