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 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 high-speed, 3-D method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided. The system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to support a part at a loading station and transfer the supported part from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. The system also includes an illumination assembly to simultaneously illuminate an end surface of the part and a peripheral surface of the part. The system further includes a lens and detector assembly to form an optical image of the illuminated end surface and an optical image of the illuminated peripheral surface of the part and to detect the optical images. The system still further includes a processor to process the detected optical images to obtain an end view of the part and a 3-D panoramic view of the peripheral surface of the part.

Abstract: A high-speed, 3-D method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided. The system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to support a part at a loading station and transfer the supported part from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. The system also includes an illumination assembly to simultaneously illuminate an end surface of the part and a peripheral surface of the part. The system further includes a lens and detector assembly to form an optical image of the illuminated end surface and an optical image of the illuminated peripheral surface of the part and to detect the optical images. The system still further includes a processor to process the detected optical images to obtain an end view of the part and a 3-D panoramic view of the peripheral surface of the part.

Abstract: A high-speed, 3-D method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided. The system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to support a part at a loading station and transfer the supported part from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. The system also includes an illumination assembly to simultaneously illuminate an end surface of the part and a peripheral surface of the part. The system further includes a lens and detector assembly to form an optical image of the illuminated end surface and an optical image of the illuminated peripheral surface of the part and to detect the optical images. The system still further includes a processor to process the detected optical images to obtain an end view of the part and a 3-D panoramic view of the peripheral surface of the part.

Abstract: A method and system for centering and aligning manufactured parts of various sizes at an optical measurement station are provided. The system includes apparatus having a central axis substantially parallel to the measurement axis and including a plurality of members having open and closed positions. The members have holding faces which are substantially equidistant from the central axis during movement between the open and closed positions. At least one of the members applies a force on an exterior side surface of a part disposed between the holding faces during movement between the positions to reposition the part at the station. The repositioned part is centered and aligned with respect to the measurement axis at the station. The holding faces releasably hold the repositioned part in a holding position between the open and closed positions at the station.

Abstract: A high-speed, 3-D method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided. The system includes a part transfer subsystem including a transfer mechanism adapted to support a part at a loading station and transfer the supported part from the loading station to an inspection station at which the part has a predetermined position and orientation for inspection. The system also includes an illumination assembly to simultaneously illuminate an end surface of the part and a peripheral surface of the part. The system further includes a lens and detector assembly to form an optical image of the illuminated end surface and an optical image of the illuminated peripheral surface of the part and to detect the optical images. The system still further includes a processor to process the detected optical images to obtain an end view of the part and a 3-D panoramic view of the peripheral surface of the part.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically inspecting parts and for automatically generating calibration data for use in inspecting parts are provided. The system includes a support for supporting a part to be inspected and/or a calibration device along a measurement axis. The system further includes a head apparatus including a plurality of radiation plane generators for directing an array of planes of radiation at the part and/or device so that the part and/or device occludes each of the planes of radiation to create a corresponding array of unobstructed planar portions of the planes of radiation. Each of the unobstructed planar portions contains an amount of radiation which is representative of a respective geometric dimension of the part and/or device. The head apparatus further includes a plurality of radiation plane receivers or cameras such as line scan cameras.

Abstract: An apparatus for quickly retaining and releasing parts having a wide range of sizes and designs at an optical measurement station is provided. The apparatus includes a rod having proximal and distal ends. The apparatus further includes a part-engaging first tip attached to the distal end of the rod to move therewith. The apparatus still further includes a part-engaging second tip. The apparatus includes a support structure for supporting the second tip and the rod. The apparatus further includes a quick-release, clamping mechanism for adjustably and releasably clamping the rod to the support structure so that the rod can move the first tip between a part-release position in which a part held between the tips is released for removal from the station and a part-retaining position in which a part is firmly held between the tips. Held parts having a wide range of sizes and designs can be optically measured at the station.

Abstract: A method and system for centering and aligning manufactured parts of various sizes at an optical measurement station are provided. The system includes apparatus having a central axis substantially parallel to the measurement axis and including a plurality of members having open and closed positions. The members have holding faces which are substantially equidistant from the central axis during movement between the open and closed positions. At least one of the members applies a force on an exterior side surface of a part disposed between the holding faces during movement between the positions to reposition the part at the station. The repositioned part is centered and aligned with respect to the measurement axis at the station. The holding faces releasably hold the repositioned part in a holding position between the open and closed positions at the station.

Abstract: A method and system for optically inspecting parts are provided. The method includes the step of supporting a part along a measurement axis. The method includes scanning the part with an array of spaced planes of radiation so that the part occludes each of the planes of radiation at spaced locations along the axis to create a corresponding array of unobstructed planar portions of the planes of radiation. Each of the unobstructed planar portions contains an amount of radiation which is representative of a respective geometric dimension of the part. The method still further includes measuring the amount of radiation present in each of the unobstructed planar portions to obtain measurement signals. The method includes processing the measurement signals to obtain raw data. The method further includes providing calibration data and processing the calibration data and the raw data to obtain measurements of the part.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically inspecting parts and for automatically generating calibration data for use in inspecting parts are provided. The system includes a support for supporting a part to be inspected and/or a calibration device along a measurement axis. The system further includes a head apparatus including a plurality of radiation plane generators for directing an array of planes of radiation at the part and/or device so that the part and/or device occludes each of the planes of radiation to create a corresponding array of unobstructed planar portions of the planes of radiation. Each of the unobstructed planar portions contains an amount of radiation which is representative of a respective geometric dimension of the part and/or device. The head apparatus further includes a plurality of radiation plane receivers or cameras such as line scan cameras.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for automatically identifying non-labeled, manufactured parts. The system includes an electronic storage device to store templates of a plurality of known good, manufactured parts. Each of the templates includes a part profile and a set of features. Each of the features includes a range of acceptable values. Each of the templates has a part identification code associated therewith. A first subsystem optically measures a profile and features of a part to be purchased. The system further includes a processor operable to compare the profile and the features of the part to be purchased with the profile and corresponding features of each of the stored templates to identify a template which most closely matches the profile and features of the part to be purchased and to generate and transmit an identification signal representing the part identification code for the part associated with the most closely matched template.

Abstract: An apparatus for quickly retaining and releasing parts having a wide range of sizes and designs at an optical measurement station is provided. The apparatus includes a rod having proximal and distal ends. The apparatus further includes a part-engaging first tip attached to the distal end of the rod to move therewith. The apparatus still further includes a part-engaging second tip. The apparatus includes a support structure for supporting the second tip and the rod. The apparatus further includes a quick-release, clamping mechanism for adjustably and releasably clamping the rod to the support structure so that the rod can move the first tip between a part-release position in which a part held between the tips is released for removal from the station and a part-retaining position in which a part is firmly held between the tips. Held parts having a wide range of sizes and designs can be optically measured at the station.