Robotic parts sorting with machine vision

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Rector Machine Works. is a modernized machine and fabrication shop, and the manufacturer of anchor plates, precision steel consumables used in advanced technology steel production. With Canada's recent commitment to modernizing the steel industry, Rector Machine Works would like to stay competitive by continuing to develop and expand its manufacturing capacity and automation. While Rector Machine Works uses precision automated machining stations, untangling rough-cut steel anchor blanks is a production bottleneck. Currently the heavy, rough anchor blanks are untangled by hand, a slow, difficult process. Since anchor plates are technically complex, it is fitting that the most cost-effective solution is employing an industrial robot. The collaborative project with Sault College will involve using a vision camera and custom software to capture the position of the tangled anchor blanks on a pallet adjacent to the robot. The vision camera will then transfer the lateral and rotational offsets of the steel parts to the robot. The robot will then apply these offsets which will result in the careful freeing of each interlocked part, requiring no manual intervention. This will result in faster throughput of the entire process. Sault College's robot lab is ideal for this project. The college has an industrial robot large enough to lift the heavy anchor for the proof-of-concept project.