In every manufacturing company, there are jobs that could be done by a robot. Changing everything at once is unrealistic, so choices must be made. The question is: where do you start? Robots can take over jobs that are Dull, Dirty and Dangerous. We use these three Ds as a benchmark to decide where to start automating from the perspective of the employees' best interests. In addition, efficiency improvements and cost savings are important issues to consider when preparing an investment.
Hellebrekers has specialised in bin picking within logistics where a robot equipped with vision replaces human workers for these tasks.
Bin picking is a complex automation task in which robots use vision technology to randomly pick objects from a bin. This technique combines the capabilities of the robot with advanced image recognition software, making it possible to efficiently pick up and move objects that are delivered in a random manner.
Vision: the key to bin picking
The key to robotic bin picking is the vision camera or 3D vision system that allows the robot to create a three-dimensional image of the bin's contents. Using these images, the robot calculates the position, orientation and best grasping method for each object. This process includes recognising and locating the objects, planning a collision-free path for the robotic arm, and finally actually picking up and moving the object to the desired destination, such as a conveyor belt or an assembly station.
Range of applications
The applications in bin picking range from sorting bulk products to feeding production lines, where efficient handling of unstructured objects is essential. The integration of machine learning and artificial intelligence continually improves the efficiency and accuracy of bin picking systems, making them even more effective at automating complex tasks.
