The Best Industrial Robotic Applications for A 3D Laser Vision System

Industrial robots can perform dozens of different applications, and some production lines may require several different applications before a product is finished. So, how do you decide where to integrate a 3D vision system? What applications would benefit the most from that kind of technology? Here is a list of a few applications that could benefit highly from the integration of a laser vision system with 3D.

Many experts believe that 3D vision systems are best suited for material handling applications. As a matter of fact, the first three on the list are part of that family of applications – bin picking, packaging and palletizing.

Bin picking is one of the most common uses for a 3D vision system with three-dimensional technology. Bin picking is exactly what it sounds like – picking parts out of a bin. This may seem simple enough, but when you employ 3D vision systems, the robot takes on a whole new life. It can distinguish colors and sizes of parts to make sure it picks out the right pieces needed for that part of production.

3D vision systems are vital in the packaging areas of a production line, where parts come to the robot in different orientations or heights. With 3D vision there is no need to have multiple programs for parts that are at different heights like there is with 2D vision. The vision system is able to determine the part height on its own and make positional adjustments accordingly.

Another good application for 3D vision is depalletizing. With 3D vision the robot is able to determine how big a box or product on a pallet is and where it is located in space. This allows the robot to determine the best boxes to pick and in which order to pick them based off where they are located.

While some experts do believe that vision systems are only helpful for material handling applications, as mentioned above, it is becoming more and more evident that laser vision systems, especially those that have three-dimensional capabilities, are becoming more helpful in robotic welding applications as well.

Vision in welding can help the robot adapt to small changes in the components being welded. Unlike the human eye, a 3D vision system can help guide the robot along the weld path adjusting for any inaccuracies in part placement or fixturing issues.

So, reading all this about 3D vision systems has you hooked, right? You want to know who you need to speak with to get this kind of technology integrated into your facility? That’s easy. Contact Robots.com. They are partners with big names in the industrial robotics industry like Fanuc, Motoman, ABB, and KUKA. These partnerships give them access to up-to-date laser vision systems, even those with 3D technology.

If you would like to learn more about how Robots.com can help you integrate your applications with 2D or 3D vision systems, contact us online or at 877-762-6881.