text.skipToContent text.skipToNavigation

Robot Vision in uniVision 3

Robot vision is widely used in manufacturing, assembly and packaging processes where objects must be accurately detected for further processing, picked and then placed in a different position. Object localization is carried out via 2D cameras, which send the position data directly to the robot.

Robot Vision with 2D Machine Vision Devices – The Advantages

Flexible Camera Mounting Options

No two applications are the same! Machine vision hardware can be mounted statically above the gripping area or directly on the robot arm depending on the application. Static mounting of the cameras is particularly suitable for space-critical applications or small robot arms with limited installation space, while the positioning of the camera on the robot arm increases the flexibility of the application.

Static camera

Camera on robot arm

Direct Communication between Camera and Robot

The 2D camera communicates directly with robots from different manufacturers via the robot vision interface – without a special interface having to be developed. The integrated robot server, available via the device website, enables particularly easy setup with convenient selection of the desired manufacturer via a drop down menu.
Robots from UR, KUKA, ABB, Fanuc and KASSOW Robotics are supported. Suitable sample programs are available for each of these manufacturers. For UR as URCap and as URScript (compatible with Polyscope X), for ABB and KUKA in the form of sample codes and a specially developed CBun for KASSOW. Comprehensive documentation of the robot vision API is also available in the download area, which can also be used to implement your own interfaces. This ensures quick and easy initial startup of your robot vision application.

Seamless Integration into the uniVision Ecosystem

The wenglor uniVision 3 toolbox offers various modules for object detection, such as the modules for localization and pattern matching. Both modules enable different object types to be taught in, whereby several – even different – objects can be found in both modules and sorted, for example, by position. Variable offsets in x and y can also be implemented, which increases the flexibility of the pick-and-place application enormously: Depending on the application, it is thus possible to specify the exact point at which the robot should grab the object – at the tip, in the middle or rather at the rear. The results, such as the gripping position or the contour of the detected object, can be displayed individually and flexibly in the web-based visualization.

Reduced Cycle Times Thanks to Multi-Object Recording

In wenglor uniVision 3 software, several – even different – objects can be detected with a single image capture and their coordinates can be passed on to the robot control system. This means that the robot can grip the objects directly one after the other without having to move to the detection position for camera capture again before each grip. This reduces cycle time and greatly increases the efficiency of the pick-and-place application.

Precise Calibration with Accurate Calibration Targets

The 2D camera and robot must initially be calibrated once. Highly accurate calibration targets in various sizes and materials (glass for transmitted light applications, carbon fiber reinforced for incident light applications) are available for this purpose. The successful calibration process can be checked directly via a verification step. A precise calibration algorithm for hand-eye calibration is included directly in the uniVision 3 devices and ensures easy, reproducible setup and communication of all object information in the robot coordinate system. The successful calibration process can then be checked via an integrated verification step.

Automatic Reading of 3D Calibration Marks

Our solution enables easy reading of external calibration marks for precise determination of position and position in the room. All six degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z and rotation around all axes) are reliably recorded and transmitted to the robot system.

Position deviations – for example due to inaccurate placement or moving stations – are automatically detected and compensated directly. This allows the robot to dynamically adjust its movement without the need for complex reprogramming.

This results in a robust, flexible and highly precise process control – even under changing ambient conditions or varying component positions.

Automatic Detection of 3D Calibration Markers

Our solution enables the easy detection of external calibration markers for the precise determination of position and orientation in space. All six degrees of freedom (X, Y, Z and rotation around all axes) are reliably captured and transmitted to the robot system.

Position deviations – such as those caused by inaccurate placement or moving stations – are automatically detected and immediately compensated for. This allows the robot to dynamically adjust its movement without the need for time-consuming reprogramming.

The result: robust, flexible, and highly precise process control – even under changing ambient conditions or with varying component positions.

Compatible Hardware

The uniVision 3 machine vision software runs on the following wenglor image processing products.

Smart Cameras B60

Find out more

Machine Vision Cameras with Machine Vision Controller

Find out more

License Upgrades

Order number	Compatible hardware	Name	Modules
DNNL021	B60 smart cameras	License B60 uniVision Robot Vision	Device Robotic Vision
DNNL026	Machine vision cameras with machine vision controller	MVC uniVision Robotics license	Device Robotic Vision Device Robot Weld Seam Tracking

DNNL021
DNNL021	B60 smart cameras	License B60 uniVision Robot Vision	Device Robotic Vision
DNNL026
DNNL026	Machine vision cameras with machine vision controller	MVC uniVision Robotics license	Device Robotic Vision Device Robot Weld Seam Tracking

Downloads on Robot Vision

Notification of Compliance with Technical Regulations (107 KB)

This document serves as proof of compatibility of the B60 smart camera with universal robots.

Examples Robot Vision 1.4.0 (19 MB)

The Examples Robotics contains the example code for different robot manufacturers. Together with the PDFs of the calibration targets and the detailed instructions, it forms the ideal starter package for integrating a uniVision 3 product.

Pick and Place versus Bin Picking – What is the Difference?

Pick and Place: Precise Localization and Picking

In pick-and-place applications, 2D cameras locate the objects to be picked and pass their position coordinates on to the robot controller. The robot can then pick the objects precisely and then place them in a different position.
Pick and place is suited for simple and quick applications where the objects are separated and on one level.

Bin picking: Reaching into a Bin

Bin picking refers to an automated application, where robots pick randomly arranged objects from containers. This requires 3D sensors that detect the position of the objects in the space and pass the information to the robot.
Bin picking with 3D sensors is ideal if the objects are not separated and are arranged in random positions.

Product Comparison

3/4

4/4

5/4

6/4