Ford’s transmission plant to deploy Braintech’s vision-guided robotics

North Vancouver, B.C., Canada— Braintech Inc. reports that Ford Motor Co. has ordered a TrueView vision-guided robotics (VGR) system, powered by Braintech’s eVisionFactory (eVF) software for deployment at its Van Dyke Transmission plant in Sterling Heights, MI. Installation is expected in March 2005.

This deployment will increase to seven the number of Ford’s North American manufacturing facilities operating TrueView systems. The other plants include: Windsor Engine Plant and Essex Engine Plant, both in Windsor, Ontario; Automatic Transmission Operations Plant, in Livonia, MI; Ford/Batavia Transmission Plant, in Batavia, OH; Romeo Engine Plant, in Romeo, MI; and Cleveland Engine Plant, in Cleveland, OH.

TrueView is a 3-D VGR system that Braintech says is ideally suited to automotive and auto part precision manufacturing and assembly. TrueView combines ABB Robotic, Automotive, and Manufacturing Group’s robotics expertise with Braintech’s VGR technologies.

‘In the past 12 months, Ford has increased the number of its manufacturing facilities using our VGR technologies from two to seven,” says Owen Jones, Braintech’s CEO. “We’re delighted that Ford continues to demonstrate their support of and belief in the TrueView VGR system, and has persisted in the steady rollout of the solution in its North American operations.’

ABB Robotic, Automotive and Manufacturing group supplies robots, robotic systems and automation systems to the automotive, manufacturing and consumer industries.

Braintech says its VGR technologies give industrial robots the ‘eyes’ to handle and assemble parts with a high degree of consistent quality and productivity. The firm adds its scientific capabilities, engineering expertise, and commitment to support are embedded in its eVF software, which is used to develop, operate and support VGR solutions. So far, Braintech’s VGR solutions have been installed at Ford, General Motors, Delphi, TI Automotive Group, Pullman Industries, and Toyota.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Jim Montague, news editor
jmontague@reedbusiness.com

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