A discussion with Ross Rawlings of Radix Controls
VSD: How is Radix Controls using machine vision and automated systems?
Rawlings: Radix Controls has been in business for more than 10 years and started primarily as a software-development house specializing in plant-floor data collection and device connectivity. When we began deploying vision systems eight years ago, we extended our software scope to include what would be considered today easy presence/absence of features or simple measurements to pass or fail parts in the foundry and automotive sector.
Soon after we started with vision some challenging opportunities arose. Using a Cognex (Natick, MA, USA; www.cognex.com) Checkpoint PC-based system, we developed a robotic-guidance application that allowed for unattended removal of engine block castings out of dunnage using an ABB (Auburn Hills, MI, USA; www.abb.com) S3 robot for a major automotive company. This initiated what is now an area of expertise for Radix Controls-3-D robotic guidance. Today, we solve many kinds of problems for customers using smart sensors such as the Cognex In-Sight family of vision sensors, as well as more complex technologies such as Vision Pro, a PC-based programming environment for more challenging applications.
