Robots have been around for a while now and some may now consider them a commodity. They take inputs – product dimensions, pick and place locations – and produce outputs – finished pallets, unloaded or loaded machines. The inputs and outputs are controlled and consistent. What happens when the inputs and outputs can’t be controlled? Are you out of luck? Not anymore!
Bastian Solutions has implemented robotic systems that allow robots to see, reason, and act to unknown inputs and produce desired outputs.
These systems utilize artificial intelligence (AI) coupled with a vision system that can see various types of products in a homogeneous or heterogenous mix. The AI reasons and determines the optimal pick target for the robot. With the robot’s end of arm tooling (EoAT) configured into the artificial intelligence, it provides coordinates and angles for the robot to pick the product without colliding into external structures. Also, information is shared between multiple robotic systems, which lets them learn from each other for continued improvement. This also means that customers can introduce new products at any time with no robotic programming changes needed.
In these systems, we’ve achieved rates up to 1,400 picks per hour with 99 percent accuracy. This is largely dependent on the product, environmental conditions, and the robotic cell configuration but overall, these systems are very reliable and can meet or exceed the rates and accuracies delivered by humans. This brings an additional benefit with current COVID-19 social distancing requirements.
AI-powered robotic picking has been implemented in several industries, like food, apparel, pharmaceutical, ecommerce, parcel, manufacturing, and consumer goods. A few applications where these systems have been used are bin picking, decanting, return sorting, sorter loading, and several others.
At Bastian Solutions’ facility in St. Louis, Missouri, customers can see firsthand a robotic each picking cell that is setup for product handling demonstrations. Initially, two items are evaluated – vision suitability and robotic handling. For vision suitability, the product is put into the bin with a randomized assortment and the vision system can properly detect the products and provide targets to the robot. For product handling, Bastian Solutions uses a variety of standard end of arm tools on the robot to show how the product can be handled.
After initial demonstrations and an order, detailed design begins and tackles the most challenging aspect of these systems: end of arm tooling. Bastian Solutions takes a step-by-step approach when designing their end of arm tools for each picking applications.
To design an optimal end of arm tool, it’s important to look at not only the product itself but also the vision system interface and programming to ensure the system acts and learns in a way that supports your operations.
Products’ Dimensions and Shapes
Product Weight
Product Material
Interface with Vision System
Interface with Robotic Programming
Securing the Product During Robotic Movements
After a proper end of arm tool is designed, robotic programming and artificial intelligence vision take over to move products to their destinations. Now those previously uncontrolled inputs and outputs are controlled for consistent, accurate robotic bin picking.
This technology has rapidly developed over the past couple years, and with the addition of artificial intelligence, the system is always learning and improving. With the impact of COVID-19 to meet increased customer demands and for employee safety, this technology is needed now. Bastian Solutions can help you implement, adapt it to your industry needs, and maximize the benefits of AI powered robotic picking for improved accuracy and throughput.