JUNE 5--Braintech (Vancouver, Canada), a provider of vision-guided robotic (VGR) software solutions, continues to add to its installed base with new orders for its eVisionFactory (eVF) software from ABB. eVF provides vision capabilities for ABB's new TrueView VGR systems. Three new systems are to be installed at a North American automaker's transmission facility, marking its eighth facility to select TrueView. These cells will use Braintech's Xi2D, IDM2.5D, and SC3D guidance technologies within the same TrueView robot cells. These TrueView systems will be used to automate packing-in and packing-out of gear parts. eVF will locate the parts in dunnage and then accurately place them into a fixture to be machined. eVF also locates the completed machined parts and accurately loads them back into the dunnage.
Another technology, TrueView's "Variable LED Lighting" package, allows for vision processing of eight different colors of dunnage. The ability to automatically vary robot-mounted lighting eliminates the sensitivity that competitors' systems have when attempting to process several different styles of parts or dunnage.
Jerry Osborn, vice president and general manager of ABB robot automation group, states, "TrueView is now built into the customer's specifications for material-handling cells of this nature. This is a result of our commitment to system standardization at all levels, including the vision hardware, the eVF software platform, and our integration and service procedures. TrueView is both scalable and supportable on a global basis."