Abstract: A cable detection system for detecting an end of a cable having a plurality of exposed different sections includes an illumination device and a camera. The illumination device emits an illuminating light to the end of the cable. The illumination device simultaneously emits a parallel light and a diffuse light to the end of the cable. The camera captures an image of the end of the cable. The parallel light sharpens a boundary between the different sections of the cable in the image, and the diffuse light clarifies a surface of the different sections in the image.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a sorting platform having an upper surface supporting parts for inspection. An inspection station is positioned adjacent the sorting platform including an imaging device to image the parts in a field of view. A vision inspection controller receives images from the imaging device. The vision inspection controller includes an image histogram tool to pre-process the images to improve contrast of the images by redistributing lightness values of the images based on adaptive histogram equalization processing to generate enhanced images. The vision inspection controller processes the enhanced images based on an image analysis model to determine inspection results for each of the parts. The vision inspection controller has an artificial intelligence learning module operated to customize and configure the image analysis model based on the enhanced images.

Abstract: A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system and a package identification station identifying a package orientation. The robotic labeling system includes a label application station having first and second label printers and first and second label applicators. The label printers are both capable of printing a shipping label and a customer specific label. The first label applicator applies a first label (either the shipping label or the customer specific label) to a first side of the package while the second label applicator applies a second label (other of the shipping label or the customer specific label) to a second side of the package different than the first side. The printing and application of the labels is based on the orientation of the package.

Abstract: A part manipulator includes a robot arm movable in three-dimensional space between a pick station and a place station. The part manipulator includes an end effector coupled to a distal end of the robot arm. The end effector includes a rotation platform rotatable between a first position and a second position. The end effector includes a part gripper coupled to the rotation platform movable between a releasing position and a holding position. The part gripper is configured to hold a part in the holding position. The part gripper is rotated by the rotation platform as the rotation platform is rotated from the first position to the second position to move the part from a picking orientation to a placing orientation. The end effector picks up the part in the picking orientation at the pick station. The end effector releases the part in the placing orientation at the place station.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes an imaging device that is configured to image parts being inspected. The vision inspection system includes a vision inspection controller that is configured to be communicatively coupled to a machine controller of the part manufacture machine by a communication network. The vision inspection controller communicates with the communication network using a first communication protocol. The vision inspection controller creates an absolute path directory at the machine controller. The vision inspection controller receives an image from the imaging device. The vision inspection controller communicates a first trigger to the absolute path directory upon receipt of the image from the imaging device. The vision inspection controller processes the image from the imaging device to determine inspection results for a first part of the parts. The vision inspection controller sends at least one of the image or the inspection results to the machine controller.

Abstract: A mobile reel transport device includes an automated guided vehicle (AGV) having a mobile cart with wheels for maneuvering through a facility. The AGV includes a reel manipulator mounted to the mobile cart. The reel manipulator has a movable component movable relative to the mobile cart and an end effector at a distal end of the movable component. The end effector is configured to pick up and manipulate a reel. The AGV includes a reel positioning device at the distal end of the movable component. The reel positioning device includes an imaging device for imaging the reel and environment and generating an image. The reel manipulator is operable to move the end effector based on the image.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a vision inspection controller receiving images form an imaging device. The vision inspection controller includes a binary classification tool and a multi-classification tool. The vision inspection controller processes each of the images through the binary classification tool to detect for the defects to determine primary inspection results including a PASS result if no defects are detected and a FAIL result if defects are detected. The vision inspection controller processes each of the images associated with the FAIL result through the multi-classification tool to determine secondary inspection results including identification of a type of defect. The vision inspection system may include a display configured to display the primary and secondary inspection results to an operator.

Abstract: A part packing system includes a bag holding machine including a part funnel having an opening configured to receive an end of a part and having a bag end manipulator holding first and second bag end gripper mechanisms that receive an end of the bag therebetween to open the end of the bag to form a mouth at the end of the bag. The bag end manipulator moves the first and second bag end gripper mechanisms to position the mouth of the bag immediately downstream of the opening of the part funnel. A part loading machine including a part manipulator holding the part and moving the part to a loading position upstream of the part funnel and moving the part gripper mechanism to load an end of the part through the opening in the part funnel into the mouth of the bag to load the part into the bag.

Abstract: A bubble measurement system includes a bubble detector including a vessel having a flow path configured to receive a flow of fluid includes air bubbles from a bubble generator. The bubble measurement system includes an imaging system having an imaging device for imaging the fluid and air bubbles in the flow path of the vessel of the bubble detector. The imaging system has an imaging controller coupled to the imaging device and receiving images from the imaging device. The imaging controller processes the images to measure bubble size of each air bubble passing through the bubble detector.

Abstract: A part inspection system includes a vision device configured to image a part being inspected and generate a digital image of the part. The system includes a part inspection module communicatively coupled to the vision device and receives the digital image of the part as an input image. The part inspection module includes a defect detection model. The defect detection model includes a template image. The defect detection model compares the input image to the template image to identify defects. The defect detection model generates an output image. The defect detection model configured to overlay defect identifiers on the output image at the identified defect locations, if any.

Abstract: A cable detection system for detecting an end of a cable having a plurality of exposed different sections includes an illumination device and a camera. The illumination device emits an illuminating light to the end of the cable. The illumination device simultaneously emits a parallel light and a diffuse light to the end of the cable. The camera captures an image of the end of the cable. The parallel light sharpens a boundary between the different sections of the cable in the image, and the diffuse light clarifies a surface of the different sections in the image.

Abstract: A part inspection system includes a vision device configured to image a part being inspected and generate a digital image of the part. The inspection system includes a part inspection module communicatively coupled to the vision device and receiving the digital image of the part. The part inspection module includes an image quality module. The image quality module analyzes the digital image to determine if the digital image achieves a quality threshold. The image quality module generates an image quality output based on the analysis of the digital image. The part inspection module includes an image classifier module. The image classifier module analyzes the digital image to classify the image as a defective part or a non-defective part.

Abstract: A robotic labeling system includes a package locating system and a package identification station identifying a package orientation. The robotic labeling system includes a label application station having first and second label printers and first and second label applicators. The label printers are both capable of printing a shipping label and a customer specific label. The first label applicator applies a first label (either the shipping label or the customer specific label) to a first side of the package while the second label applicator applies a second label (other of the shipping label or the customer specific label) to a second side of the package different than the first side. The printing and application of the labels is based on the orientation of the package.

Abstract: A self-calibrating inspection system includes an inspection device adapted to visually inspect or measure an article placed on a carrier, and a motion actuator moving the inspection device along a predetermined motion trajectory relative to the carrier and the article placed thereon. A correction member of the system is fixedly positioned with respect to the carrier. A distance sensor is fixedly positioned relative to the inspection device and adapted to sense a first spacing between the distance sensor and the correction member during the movement of the inspection device by the motion actuator.

Abstract: A portable visual inspection apparatus comprises a box including a lower box portion and an upper box portion. The upper box portion defines a first accommodation space and is connected to the lower box portion such that is capable of being opened and closed. A visual inspection device is installed in the first accommodation space and is adapted to be switched between an expanded configuration in which the visual inspection device is at least partially expanded for photographing an image of an article, and a folded configuration in which the visual inspection device is at least partially folded for storage in the first accommodation space. A support platform is arranged in the lower box portion and defines an inspection area below the visual inspection device in the expanded configuration. The portable visual inspection apparatus is switchable between a use configuration and a transportation configuration.

Abstract: A part inspection system is provided and includes a vision device configured to image a part is inspected and generate a digital image of the part. The part inspection system includes a part inspection module coupled to the vision device and receiving the digital image of the part. The part inspection module includes a memory for storing a neural network architecture having a plurality of convolutional layers, a plurality of pooling layers disposed after different convolutional layers and spaced apart from each other, at least one random noise generation layer downstream of the convolutional layers and the pooling layers, and an output layer. The part inspection module includes a processor configured to analyze the digital image through the layers of the neural network architecture to output one of a defective output or a non-defective output based on the image analysis of the digital image through the neural network architecture.

Abstract: A part packing system includes a bag holding machine including a part funnel having an opening configured to receive an end of a part and having a bag end manipulator holding first and second bag end gripper mechanisms that receive an end of the bag therebetween to open the end of the bag to form a mouth at the end of the bag. The bag end manipulator moves the first and second bag end gripper mechanisms to position the mouth of the bag immediately downstream of the opening of the part funnel. A part loading machine including a part manipulator holding the part and moving the part to a loading position upstream of the part funnel and moving the part gripper mechanism to load an end of the part through the opening in the part funnel into the mouth of the bag to load the part into the bag.

Abstract: A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.

Abstract: A vision inspection system includes a platform supporting parts for inspection at an inspection zone, an inspection station positioned adjacent the platform at the inspection zone including an imaging device to image the parts in a field of view above the upper surface, and a vision inspection controller receiving images from the imaging device. The vision inspection controller includes an auto focus module for orienting the imaging device relative to the inspection zone. The auto focus module determines a working distance for the imaging device from the inspection zone. The auto focus module calculates an image contrast score of pixel values of the images at various working distances from the inspection zone. The vision inspection controller causes the inspection station to operate the imaging device at an imaging working distance corresponding to the working distance associated with the highest image contrast score.

Abstract: A part packing system for packing a part in an elongated bag includes a bag holding machine including a first bag gripper mechanism, a second bag gripper mechanism, and an air nozzle. The first bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism opens the first end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism is configured to hold a second end of the elongated bag. The second bag gripper mechanism closes the second end of the elongated bag. The air nozzle is located proximate to the first bag gripper mechanism. The air nozzle is configured to inflate the elongated bag with an airflow directed into the first end of the elongated bag. The first bag gripper mechanism holds the inflated elongated bag with the first end open to receive the part in the open first end while the air nozzle directs the airflow into the elongated bag.