n TECHNOLOGY June 2024 www.drivesncontrols.com 20 THE JAPANESE CAMERA-MAKER Nikon has announced an industrial robot vision system which, it claims, will overcome problems with existing vision systems. As well as performing static applications such as bin-picking, the system, which is designed to mount on a robot arm, can also track and pick items moving on conveyors, AGVs and AMRs. Nikon says that the new system solves problems encountered with some existing vision technologies such as: n limited processing capacities which can result in difficulty recognising parts; n slow operation; and n difficult, time-consuming set-ups. The new system performs high-speed measurements at speeds of up to 250 frames per second in both 2D and 3D, using image-processing technologies developed for Nikon’s cameras. This enables high-speed operation of robot arms, typically taking around two seconds from measuring a workpiece to moving the robot arm. Shapes that are difficult to identify from above, can be recognised by tilting the arm on which the vision system is mounted. If there is no recognisable workpiece in the field-of-view, the camera looks at the scene from a different angle. If it does not find a workpiece at the initial measurement position, a “retry” function moves the arm to a new position and checks again. Nikon claims that this can result in 100% picking success rates. Existing fixed-location vision systems can restrict production layouts, according to the camera-maker, and if the task changes, equipment may need to be re-assembled. This is not the case with the 2.8kg system, which can be attached to robot arms from Fanuc, Yaskawa, Kawasaki and Universal Robots, among others. The system can track and pick items moving on conveyors or AGVs, without affecting their operation. Robot grippers and workpieces can be detected in the same field-of-view, and minor shakes and errors in the gripping position can be corrected instantly. The technology can also respond to the moving equipment stopping suddenly, and to changes in workpiece orientation. Nikon says that with existing robot vision systems, it is necessary to synchronise the movements of transport equipment with the robot arm, and to make fine adjustments. This can result in long lead times before an application can start to operate. The new system does not need to be synchronised with the moving equipment, cutting set-up times and efforts. Another limitation with existing robot vision systems that Nikon claims to have overcome is low image-processing speeds, which can result in robot arms not keeping up with moving items. In static applications such as bin-picking, the high-speed algorithm, which combines 2D and 3D cameras, can recognise workpieces stacked randomly in a box and remove them. Routes can be set to avoid other workpieces, allowing loose stacks of items to be picked up. Even if the target gripping position and the actual gripping position deviate, measurements can be redone after grabbing an item to correct for the deviation. Nikon says that anyone can configure the vison system’s settings, regardless of their skills. Some settings are automated, such as adding new workpieces, setting gripping positions, and determining routes. This can shorten set-up times “significantly”, with new workpieces added in as little as 20 minutes. https://ngpd.nikon.com/en/ robot-vision-system p Fanuc has announced what it claims is the world’s first explosion-proof cobot (collaborative robot) for painting duties. It says that the CRX10iA/L cobot will be a“gamechanger”for users with limited robot experience, helping them to automate cost-effectively and quickly. The 45kg cobot has a payload of 10kg and a reach of 1,418mm. It offers “easy-teach” functions, including drag-and-drop programming and “lead through teach.”It complies with explosion-proof certifications including IECEx and Atex. www.fanuc.eu/uk/en p The OPC Foundation, which is dedicated to interoperability in industrial automation, has set up a working group focusing on AI (artificial intelligence). It says that the OPC UA for AI initiative marks “a pivotal moment in the convergence of AI and manufacturing”, promising to redefine how engineers interact with data and systems to build cutting-edge systems. It aims to use AI to streamline various aspects of production, from data analysis to code generation, and to redefine the user interface in manufacturing environments. www.opcfoundation.org p FieldComm Group and FDT Group are looking at combining their resources to create a single business producing device integration technology standards and products for users and vendors in the process, hybrid and factory automation sectors. They aim to harmonise control system applications across multiple protocols. Subject to the completion of a agreement, the new business will continue to support all existing FieldComm and FDT technologies, including FDI, FDT/DTM, PA-DIM, Hart and Foundation Fieldbus. FieldComm Group will acquire all FDT technology and resources, and an independent committee will guide future directions for protocol-independent device integration technologies. www.fdtgroup.org www.fieldcommgroup.org p A Danish cobot (collaborative robot) manufacturer, Kassow Robots, claims to have developed the world’s first seven-axis cobots with controllers integrated into their bases. The footprint of the Edge Edition cobots measures just 160 by 200mm. The DC-powered cobots can be connected to any DC power supply – for example, mobile robot batteries. There are 60 I/O connections. The new cobots are aimed especially at applications with limited space, and are said to be easy to integrate. www.kassowrobots.com p The EtherCat Technology Group (ETG) says there are now 77 million EtherCat nodes worldwide, with 18 million added in 2023 alone. The figure is based on the number of EtherCat chips sold and does not include chips for individual I/O terminals. So, for example, an I/O station with 50 EtherCat bus terminals counts as one node. The ETG now has more than 7,600 member companies in 74 countries, making it the world's largest fieldbus user organisation. More than 500 members joined during 2023. The ETG had expected chip sales to fall after the end of the semiconductor crisis, because users had stockpiled many more chips than they needed. But this has not happened. TECHNOLOGY BRIEFS Nikon uses its camera expertise to solve vision system problems Nikon’s vision system is designed to mount on the end of a robot arm
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