In case you weren’t already convinced that adding a 3D machine vision system to your manufacturing line can greatly improve operations, here are some of the biggest benefits of incorporating a robot vision system.
1. Reduces labor shortage issues and removes workforce from harsh environments – Human workers experience burn out from tiring or dull work and health problems or illness lead to missed workdays. Robots are designed to take over these labor-intensive and repetitive jobs and can easily function in harsh and unsafe factory environments, especially where painting or welding takes place. With added vision, robots are far more accurate while operating. Companies with robot technology and vision are able to place employees in more fulfilling positions, away from the less desirable tasks.
2. Reduces need for additional workforce training – In order to perform varied work at an expert level, employees require training and repetition, or they will forget, become confused, or make mistakes. Robots only need to be programmed once in order to perform varied repetitive jobs on different parts, taking away the additional training costs required for several manufacturing tasks.
3. Decreases manufacturing costs by minimizing errors – When parts move or rotate by a few millimeters, it is often undetectable to the human eye. Using volumetric sensors to carefully measure and detect these shifts is crucial for smooth manufacturing operations. The sooner an error in production is detected, the less likely a faulty or misassembled product is made. This improves output quality and lessens the need for product scrapping or disposal. Robots with vision also waste less materials because they measure the exact part position in order to perform the work and avoid applying excess material.
4. Saves money on carrier or rack expenses – Parts often shift on the rack or carrier and when they do the robots must either overcompensate and waste additional paint or adhesive to achieve the work goal, or carriers must be improved. A no-variation rack or carrier system modification can prove to be very expensive and difficult to design. 3D vision guides the robot to adjust its path depending on the part position, allowing for part shifts and variability, which in turn saves time and money.
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