Archive notice: This article was originally published on February 2, 2010. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
If the three-dimensional perception of human vision could be reproduced technologically with equal efficiency, this would create a wide variety of possible applications across the entire spectrum of industrial processes, medicine, sport, research and development. In the economically interesting environment of 3D image processing in particular, there is now strong momentum in the development of powerful systems with increasingly simple programming, handling and installation.
The new Cognex 3D-Locate software package, a collection of powerful 3D vision tools, supplies precise 3D positional data in real time. This enables automation systems to process a greater variety of parts, including objects that are tilted or chaotically stacked. With 3D-Locate, vision performance can be significantly increased in difficult applications, eliminating the need for expensive mechanical fixtures or measuring devices. This applies to logistics, robot-controlled pick-and-place processes and precision assembly. 3D-Locate can also be used in combination with other Cognex tools for code reading, measurement and inspection.
Robust 3D localisation
The precision and reliability of many 3D vision technologies are directly related to the subpixel-accurate quality of the underlying geometric base data from 2D image processing. 3D-Locate uses the highly accurate and reliable algorithms of PatMax® geometry-based pattern recognition, the patented vision tool for extreme reliability. This enables exact three-dimensional alignment and position determination of an object. PatMax handles uneven lighting and remains reliable even when patterns are partially obscured. This ensures highly precise part localisation in the most demanding settings and conditions. 3D-Locate can also be combined with other Cognex localisation tools, such as SearchMax™ and PatFlex®, to determine part alignment precisely despite perspective or image-acquisition distortions.
Application performance is decisively improved by highly precise calibration tools. Optical distortions and camera positions can be compensated optimally. Cameras with moving elements, such as robot grippers, are synchronised precisely. The PC-based 3D-Locate software opens up high-throughput applications. Any image-acquisition source can be chosen from a broad range of industrial cameras.
“Many 3D vision packages cannot meet customer expectations in practice because the systems fail to produce reliable and repeatable results,” explained Markku Jaaskelainen, Executive Vice President and Business Unit Manager for Vision Software. “With 3D-Locate, Cognex drew on its decades of experience with 3D applications to create a robust general-purpose tool for an extremely broad range of applications.”
3D-Locate can be used for:
• Single-camera applications that require more information than a 2D system can provide
• Robot-guided single- or stereo-camera control systems
• Assembly cells with multiple stationary cameras to make mechanical fixtures unnecessary
• Measurement, sorting and order-picking applications on conveyor systems
3D-Locate is available as part of the extensive Cognex CVL software library. For further information, please download the data sheet at http://www.cognex.com/3D.
