Alsontech has developed a 3D vision system for robot random bin picking

For industrial robots, the difficulty isnot repetitive work, but a random environment, which means that it can nolonger rely on the set program, but needs to perceive and analyze theenvironment, and then make judgment. With the rise of 3C (Computer,Communication, Consumer Electronics) industries, industrial robots are facingmore and more random working scenarios.

The 3C industries have a short update cycleand huge varieties, so requiring a higher level of automated production. InChina, although the number of industrial robots has long been the first in theworld, the degree of automation is still far behind.

“Before 3D vision, the positioning inrandom picking was achieved through traditional tooling, which could not positiondifferent products with one tool.” said Mr. Miao Qingwei, founder of Alsontechto Leiphone New Manufacturing, “The 3D vision system provides a flexibletooling solution and can replace the traditional tooling.

Mr. Miao Qingwei, graduated from theInformation Engineering University of the People's Liberation Army, had workedin the world's well-known industrial automation manufacturer ADVANTECH for morethan ten years in technology and marketing, accumulating years of experience inindustrial measurement. Two years ago, he founded ALSONTECH, to provideprofessional 3D vision positioning solutions for manufacturing customers.

3D vision positioning system for industrialrobots is currently mainly done by some foreign companies. There are no fewerthan a thousand machine vision companies in China, but they are basically focusedon 2D. Some research institutes have been developing 3D vision but have notreleased substantial product. The main reason is that 2D has a lot of opensource technologies, while for 3D only the principle is open to the public butthe algorithm and the entire design process remain a secret. There is nothingto refer to, so we have to develop by ourselves from the very basic.

After more than a year of research anddevelopment, ALSONTECH launched the first robotic 3D vision positioning systemlast August. The system uses binocular stereo cameras + structured lightpositioning technology and is based on the principle of triangulation, obtainingpoint cloud data of the object through rapid scanning of up to 12 millionpoints per second. By 3D modeling of the point cloud data and analyzing themodel features intelligently, the system determines the current postureposition of the object, and sends the coordinates of the object to the robotthrough the data interface, and then the robot performs the picking.

ALSONTECH's first 3D vision positioningsystem

High accuracy, long service life andversatility are the characteristics of ALSONTECH's 3D vision positioningsystem.

· Accuracy can reach 0.05mm, while ordinarycommercial 3D vision is usually at cm level;

· Continuous uninterrupted photography of24 hours a day, 5 years of service life, while ordinary commercial 3D vision ishalf a year;

· Versatility means that this system can beseamlessly mounted on robot systems, because ALSONTECH develops from thebottom.

                                    3D vision positioning system scan results

"In the domestic machine vision industry, more than 70% of enterprises'software and algorithms are developed based on third parties, such as OPENCV and halcon, so it is very difficult to innovate because the underlying technology is someone else's, and we develop it from the bottom, so if the application needs to change. We can modify it from the bottom, but we can't change it if we use third-party technology, because it's packaged for you.

70% of the machine vision companies developtheir software and algorithms based on third parties, such as OPENCV and halcon.Therefore, it is very difficult to innovate, because the underlying technologyis others. But we choose to develop from the bottom, so if the applicationneeds changes, we can modify from the bottom, which is impossible if using third-partytechnology which is usually prepackaged.

ALSONTECH bought different robots toconfigure each, and finally developed a universal version of 3D vision system whichis fully compatible with communication protocols of ABB, KUKA, FANUC, Yaskawa,UR, Kawasaki, Nachi, Hyundai and other known robot brands. It can be selectedaccording to customer requirements, saving tooling design costs. The system integratesthree-dimensional image processing technology and robot control technology,without secondary development, helping maximize the benefits of integrators.

ALSONTECH has successfully providedmultiple sets of loading and unloading solution for a SINOMACH plant. Thesolution is highly adaptable. For example, to add a new product model, thecustomer only needs to create a new data model, which can be completed within 15minutes; to change the robot brand, the customer can continue to use the systemwithout adding any equipment or secondary development. ALSONTECH provides acomplete one-stop solution.