Abstract: A sorting system for inspected parts includes a storage assembly, a conveyance system, and a controller. The storage assembly has a plurality of bins configured to receive and store the inspected parts. The conveyance system is configured to deliver the inspected parts to the storage assembly. The controller programmed to, assign part types to each of the plurality of bins. The controller is further programmed to operate the conveyance system to deliver each of the inspected parts to one of the plurality of bins having a matching part type. The controller is further programmed to, in response to a full condition of the storage assembly, empty the inspected parts from a first the plurality of bins.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically generating inspection templates of a plurality of known good fasteners to identify fasteners at an inspection station is provided. The method includes providing a data entry mechanism to provide content needed to identify a plurality of unidentified mixed fasteners. The method also includes storing the content in a database, extracting the content from the database and creating the inspection templates from the extracted content. Each of the templates including a fastener profile and a set of features. Each of the features includes a range of acceptable values. Each of the templates has a fastener identification code associated therewith.

Abstract: A system and a method of detecting and notifying of an occurrence of an overboard passenger on a vessel are used to automatically and immediately track and locate the overboard passenger as soon as the passenger has fallen overboard. In order to accomplish this, the method uses at least one tracking beacon and at least one central computing device. The central computing device is mounted onto a water-faring vessel to passively track the status and location of the tracking beacon so that the central computing device can automatically locate the tracking beacon once an overboard occurrence is detected. The tracking beacon utilizes spatial-positioning and orientation data and water submersion data to transmit an emergency alert when the passenger wearing the tracking beacon falls overboard from the water-faring vessel. Once the emergency alert is received, the central computing device executes a rescue response to expedite the rescue of the overboard passenger.

Abstract: A high-speed method and system for inspecting and sorting a stream of unidentified mixed parts are provided. The system includes a pair of inspection stations each of which includes a vision-based robotic subsystem including a robot configured to pick up a self-supporting part and place the part on a fixtureless rotary stage. A second subsystem optically measures a profile and features of the part during part rotation. A processor is operable to compare the profile and features of the part with the profile and corresponding features of stored templates to identify a matching template. A mechanism including a part sorter directs unidentified parts and parts having an unacceptable geometric dimension or defect to a reject part area and directs identified parts having acceptable geometrical dimensions and no significant defects to good part areas.

Abstract: A sorting system for inspected parts includes a storage assembly, a conveyance system, and a controller. The storage assembly has a plurality of bins configured to receive and store the inspected parts. The conveyance system is configured to deliver the inspected parts to the storage assembly. The controller programmed to, assign part types to each of the plurality of bins. The controller is further programmed to operate the conveyance system to deliver each of the inspected parts to one of the plurality of bins having a matching part type. The controller is further programmed to, in response to a full condition of the storage assembly, empty the inspected parts from a first the plurality of bins.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting unidentified mixed parts to identify the parts are provided. The system includes an inspection station which includes a vision-based robotic subsystem including a robot configured to pick up a self-supporting part and place the part on a fixtureless rotary stage so that a part axis of the part is substantially centered and aligned with a measurement axis of the inspection station during part rotation. A second subsystem optically measures a profile and features of the self-supporting part during part rotation. A processor is operable to compare the profile and the features of the part to be identified with the profile and corresponding features of stored templates to identify a template which matches the profile and features of the part to be identified and to generate and transmit an identification signal representing a part identification code for the part associated with a matched template.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of automatically generating inspection templates of a plurality of known good fasteners to identify fasteners at an inspection station is provided. The method includes providing a data entry mechanism to provide content needed to identify a plurality of unidentified mixed fasteners. The method also includes storing the content in a database, extracting the content from the database and creating the inspection templates from the extracted content. Each of the templates including a fastener profile and a set of features. Each of the features includes a range of acceptable values. Each of the templates has a fastener identification code associated therewith.

Abstract: A method and system for inspecting unidentified mixed parts to identify the parts are provided. The system includes an inspection station which includes a vision-based robotic subsystem including a robot configured to pick up a self-supporting part and place the part on a fixtureless rotary stage so that a part axis of the part is substantially centered and aligned with a measurement axis of the inspection station during part rotation. A second subsystem optically measures a profile and features of the self-supporting part during part rotation. A processor is operable to compare the profile and the features of the part to be identified with the profile and corresponding features of stored templates to identify a template which matches the profile and features of the part to be identified and to generate and transmit an identification signal representing a part identification code for the part associated with a matched template.

Abstract: A high-speed method and system for inspecting and sorting a stream of unidentified mixed parts are provided. The system includes a pair of inspection stations each of which includes a vision-based robotic subsystem including a robot configured to pick up a self-supporting part and place the part on a fixtureless rotary stage. A second subsystem optically measures a profile and features of the part during part rotation. A processor is operable to compare the profile and features of the part with the profile and corresponding features of stored templates to identify a matching template. A mechanism including a part sorter directs unidentified parts and parts having an unacceptable geometric dimension or defect to a reject part area and directs identified parts having acceptable geometrical dimensions and no significant defects to good part areas.

Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part.

Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part.

Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part.

Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided wherein the system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to receive and support a part at a loading station and to transfer the supported part by a split belt conveyor so that the part travels along a first path which extends from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. An illumination assembly simultaneously illuminates a plurality of exterior side surfaces of the part with a plurality of separate beams of radiation. A telecentric lens and detector assembly forms an optical image of at least a portion of each of the illuminated side surfaces of the part and detects the optical images. A processor processes the detected optical images to obtain a plurality of views of the part which are angularly spaced about the part.