Cognex offers 3D vision software to help vision guided robotics, assemble, inspection
Cognex 3D-Locate delivers accurate, real-time, three-dimensional position information that enables automation equipment to work with a wider variety of parts, including items that are stacked or tilted.
-- Control Engineering, 1/28/2010
Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ: CGNX) announces Cognex 3D-Locate, a library of 3D vision software tools that expands application possibilities in vision-guided robotics, assembly, and inspection. (See more, below image.)
Cognex 3D locate software enables precision robot assembly.
Cognex 3D-Locate delivers accurate, real-time, three-dimensional position information that enables automation equipment to work with a wider variety of parts, including items that are stacked or tilted. Using 3D-Locate can improve vision performance for challenging applications such as logistics, robot-guided de-palletizing and precision assembly, and it can eliminate the need for expensive mechanical fixtures or measurement devices. Cognex 3D-Locate can also be used in combination with Cognex code reading, gauging, and inspection tools.
Robust 3D location
Cognex 3D-Locate uses multiple sets of two-dimensional features found by Cognex's patented geometric pattern matching tool, Cognex PatMax, to determine an object's precise three-dimensional orientation. PatMax tolerates non-uniform lighting and remains reliable even when patterns are partly covered, ensuring accurate part location even in the most challenging settings and conditions. Cognex 3D-Locate can also use input from other Cognex location tools such as Cognex SearchMax and Cognex PatFlex to help determine part orientation.
Application performance is enhanced by high-precision Cognex calibration tools that adjust for optical distortion and camera position, and synchronize cameras with moving elements like robot grippers-key to the success of any 3D application. PC-based 3D-Locate can handle high throughput applications, and users have the option to choose from many industrial cameras.
"Many 3D vision packages fail to meet customer expectations in the field because the systems cannot deliver reliable, repeatable results," said Markku Jaaskelainen, executive vice president and business unit manager for vision software. "With 3D-Locate, Cognex has leveraged more than a decade of experience in 3D applications to create a robust, general purpose tool that can be used for a wide variety of applications."
Applications
3D-Locate can be used in:
- Single camera applications that need more information than a 2D approach can offer;
- Robot-mounted single or stereo camera guidance systems;
- Work cells with multiple fixed-mount cameras, to eliminate mechanical fixtures; and
- Dimensioning, sorting and picking applications on conveyor lines.
3D-Locate is available as part of the Cognex CVL software library.
www.cognex.com/3D.
Also read from Control Engineering:
- Machine vision: Eliminating mold damage;
- Vision systems, automation controls get point-and-click connectivity; and
- Machine vision: Italian integrator gives robots vision and gains precision.
- Edited by Mark T. Hoske, editor in chief, Control Engineering, www.controleng.com.
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