3D systems can read barcodes , check for defects such as in engine parts or wood quality , inspect packaging and inspect the end product .
Eyes for robots
This brings us to a major benefit of robotic systems : sorting and separating quality products from those that may be inferior or even unsafe . Robot-assisted qualitysorting is one of the most effectively ways to improve traceability systems in food manufacturing environments . This is supported by the latest Industry 4.0 sensors and advanced vision systems — that ’ s the eyes of robots that allow them to assess light , temperature and proximity to other objects in the surrounding environment .
Of particular importance are 2D and 3D vision systems . Blind robots — or those that operate without vision systems — are often deployed to complete simple repetitive tasks . Whereas robots with machine vision react intuitively to their surroundings . In other words , these robots are truly autonomous and , when programmed effectively , can identify and remove unsafe foods from production .
A clear reading With a 2D system , the robot is equipped with a single camera . This approach is better suited for applications where reading colours or textures is important , like barcode detection . 3D systems operate with multiple cameras and can overcome some of the errors 2D-equipped robots encounter when executing physical tasks , which would otherwise leave human workers to diagnose and solve the malfunction .
3D systems can read barcodes , check for defects such as in engine parts or wood quality , inspect packaging and inspect the end product .
The latest vision systems include Shibaura Machine ’ s TSVision3D system for industrial robots . The system doesn ’ t require complex CAD data to recognise objects and instead uses two integrated , highspeed stereo cameras to capture continuous and real-time 3D images . The software can recognise any object that ’ s positioned in its field of vision , even for nonuniform products like bananas .
Take the example of Elliptical Design , a design and manufacturing company that turned to TM Robotics to design an ultrasonic cutting system for robot-assisted qualitysorting . Developed for a cheese manufacturer , the challenge was to ensure that the robot was picking up cheese in the right place and being able to put it down as accurately as needed . However , a margin of error was created by the cheese ’ s softness and unusual nonround shape .
Using their partnership with Shibaura Machine , TM Robotics ’ engineers found the right algorithm in the vision program to ensure the robot could pick the cheese accurately . The result was automated quality-sorting with improved efficiency and reduced waste .
This example shows how robot assistance can , to paraphrase the FDA ’ s Food Traceability Final Rule , allow for faster identification and rapid removal of inferior quality foods . What ’ s more , with industrial robots and advanced vision inspection technologies , like Shibaura Machine ’ s TSVision3D system , manufacturers quickly eliminate contaminated foods from production lines and , in doing so , help keep Americans safe from the ill , or even fatal , effects of food poisoning .
To learn more about how Shibaura Machine ’ s TSVision3D system supports automated food processing and other applications , visit the TM Robotics website . www . tmrobotics . com
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