The automation of production lines raises certain concerns among some entrepreneurs regarding the capabilities and autonomy of industrial machines. What happens if a robot has to pick a part from a container where it’s mixed with other components? Is there a risk that the robot will assemble the wrong part? The solution to this problem is innovative bin picking. In the article below, we explain what makes this process unique.
How Does Bin Picking Work?
BBin picking is a process in which specially designed industrial robots automatically sort and pick components from containers. The name of the process comes directly from this: bin (English for “container”) and picking (English for “selection” or “picking up”).
What makes Bin Picking Robots stand out? Machines designed for this process are equipped with advanced vision systems, which allow the robot to “see” what’s inside the container. But how does it know which part to pick? A robot can operate using geometric algorithms, selecting components based on the shape matching. Newer models, however, utilize AI (artificial intelligence), which processes and analyzes the images captured by 3D vision systems. This AI-assisted process is called smart bin picking, or intelligent picking. In addition to vision systems, the effectiveness of the robot also depends on its end-of-arm tooling, i.e., the robot grippers. Components can have different shapes and require various ways of being grasped. Modern robotic workstations allow for automatic tool changing, meaning that a single robot can pick up loose materials using a vacuum gripper, handle delicate parts with an adaptive gripper, and lift heavy components with a jaw gripper. Properly selecting the type of gripper and the method for picking up a given component is essential to prevent damage to the material. The design and construction of machines responsible for bin picking must therefore be tailored to the company’s operations profile and the specific characteristics of the products the robot will be picking from containers.
Benefits of Implementing Bin Picking
Automation in industry brings numerous benefits, primarily financial. The use of modern technologies significantly improves efficiency on the production floor. Machines can operate around the clock, and the quality of their work remains consistent. With a wide array of sensors and safety systems, machines detect every error and deviation from standards, allowing low-quality semi-finished products or raw materials to be identified as quickly as possible. Implementing bin picking is an effective way to replace humans in the monotonous, manual task of selecting components from containers. Workers are no longer forced to perform tedious tasks, bend repeatedly, or strain their spines. Machines can easily take over in challenging environments, such as cold storage or noisy production halls. It’s important to remember that automation and robotic implementation benefit not only the company’s finances but also the comfort and well-being of the workforce.
Bin Picking – Where Is It Used?
Bin picking works exceptionally well in e-commerce warehouses. It is also used in the food industry, for example, to arrange loose fruits into designated trays. Vision systems in robotics, which enable the recognition of components in containers, are also applied in the automotive sector. There, robotic stations responsible for assembly pick the necessary components from containers.Using robots minimizes human physical involvement in the process, which directly improves workplace safety. Robotic sorting through bin picking is an excellent solution wherever the process requires tedious sorting or the assembly of diverse components.
If you’re wondering how bin picking could streamline intralogistics processes in your company, get in touch with us. At Taskoprojekt, we have been designing and building robotic workstations for leading players in the industrial sector for years. Trust our experience and choose top-quality solutions with professional consulting.
