Inbolt Introduces Next-Generation Bin Picking With Robot-Mounted Vision

Oftentimes, parts are shipped to an assembly plant in bins and are not sorted or packaged in any way. For many years now, machine builders have used fixed-mounted 3D cameras located above the bin and robotics to pick individual parts and feed them to the assembly line.

Recently, Inbolt has developed a bin-picking method that mounts a 3D camera on the robot arm. The camera then uses AI to find the optimal grasping location, analyze the part in hand, and adjust the final placement position and trajectory while in motion.

A collaborative robot using Inbolt’s bin picking solution to pick brake rotors. Image used courtesy of Inbolt

Next-Generation Bin Picking

In a typical bin-picking application with a fixed camera mounted above a bin, there are several limitations: the bin needs to be located and locked in position, the camera needs to be mounted high enough to encompass the entire bin, and misaligned picks cannot be corrected.

Inbolt's intelligent bin picking solution creates a closed-loop system by using a robot-mounted camera to inspect the part in the robot gripper after the pick. According to Inbolt, this style of picking results in a higher success rate and allows AI models to adjust the robot's trajectory during placement.

The bin picking solution uses Inbolt's robot-mounted 3D camera, an Inbolt controller equipped with the latest NVIDIA technology, and Inbolt's proprietary AI software. The solution benefits from not requiring a high-resolution camera, thereby cutting costs and reducing the overall size of the setup.

Inbolt’s intelligent bin picking system features a 3D camera mounted directly on the robot arm. Video used courtesy of Inbolt

Picking Speed and Flexibility 

Two important features for any robot application are speed and flexibility. Inbolt's bin picking solution advertises a processing time of less than one second. Inbolt Studio is the programming software where technologists can teach vision models and train the AI algorithm for the most efficient bin picking possible.

Flexibility in a system allows machine builders to implement it across different processes with minimal changes. With the camera mounted on the robot arm, the bin size and shape can change without affecting the inspection process.

Inbolt Studio being used to teach vision models. Image used courtesy of Inbolt

Real-Time 3D Vision

Bin picking has always been a challenging process, usually due to locating the bins, picking unstructured parts, and using high-resolution 3D cameras. Inbolt has designed its next-generation bin picking solution to help machine builders create flexible, fast, and reliable robotic picking cells that can be integrated into many different processes.