Self-adaptive workstations with 3D ToF technology
Basler, one of the companies taking part in the first edition of the Advanced Technologies 3D Machine Vision Conference, is the manufacturer of the 3D ToF camera used by Novasis Innovazione in its application. In this way, a cobot is able to assist the human operator in assembly operations.
A solution which can also be used in all those application contexts where it is necessary to guarantee self-adaptive workstations.
On April 13th and 15th, the first edition of the 3D Machine Vision Conference, organised by Advanced Technologies, was held: a digital event bringing together the main manufacturers of 3D machine vision technologies, comparing them in their application areas. During the first day, Snapshot technologies were discussed, and it emerged how their technologies can address the development of applications for robot guidance, 3D dimensional inspection, quality control and 3D vision reconstructions for self-driving vehicles. On the second day, the focus was on laser triangulation: different triangulation techniques for inspecting surfaces, profiles and dimensional control of parts on linear motion systems were presented.
One of the leading players of the day dedicated to Snapshot technologies was the German company Basler, supplier of 3D ToF (time-of-flight) technology, which makes it possible to estimate the distance between the camera and the viewed objects or scene in real time, measuring the time it takes for a light impulse to travel from camera to object and back. Advanced Technologies, Basler’s distributor in Italy, has teamed up with Novasis Innovazione, an Italian company founded in 2011 to develop solutions and products with high technological and innovative content in the fields of industrial vision, non-contact optical measurement and infrared gas sensors. Novasis is actively involved through continuous investment in collaborative research projects involving technological challenges, with research centres, large industries and other SMEs.
Improving factory quality and workplace ergonomics
Novasis recently took part in the HUMANS research project, of which Comau is the leading company, which aims to implement highly innovative technical solutions for the creation of new production systems characterised by safe interaction between humans, automation, machines and workstations. The quality of life in the factory and the well-being of operators are essential factors for the improvement of competitiveness of European companies. The challenge which lies ahead is to simultaneously optimise productivity and ergonomics in the workplace. The need therefore arises to reinterpret the concept of factory and production line, imagining an intelligent environment, therefore, able to adapt both to changes in production plans and to the needs of the individuals who work there. The intelligent factory is therefore seen as a network of self-adaptive, flexible and reconfigurable workstations. The HUMANS project has been realised thanks to the co-financing of POR FESR Piedmont 2014-2020 – ASSE I – I.1B.2.2 Technological Platform Tender INTELLIGENT FACTORY – Ministry of Education, University and Research.
A solution for a 4.0 Factory
The demonstrator developed by Novasis consists of integrating a 3D ToF camera from Basler, distributed in Italy by Advanced Technologies, into a cell in which a collaborative anthropomorphic robot is used to help operators during an assembly phase by providing them with parts and tools.
Novasis, thanks to its research activities, has developed a driver capable of increasing the frame-rate of the camera and allowing it to interface with the end customer’s software in order to extract the 3D point cloud, eliminate peaks due to reflections within the operating environment and allow the operators’ position in space and their height to be revealed. The program is then able to provide the cobot with this information so that it can modify its path to deliver the tools to the operator at the most ergonomic distance possible. Thanks to Basler’s 3D ToF technology, Novasis has been able to develop a highly innovative solution in the context of the 4.0 Factory capable of improving ergonomics and human-robot interaction. This solution can also be used in other application contexts where self-adaptive workstations are required.