Intelligent camera handling unit finds the test position on its own

Quick, precise and low-cost positioning – that sounds like squaring the circle. But it only sounds that way as a Festo handling system makes it possible to do just that. In this gantry system, an image processing system with integrated PLC steers electric axes at high speeds exactly to the required positions.

For example, if electronic components are to be tested while multiple test places are approached accurately and at high speed, this gantry unit with the electric toothed belt axes of type EGC-TB or ELGR and the camera system SBOI-Q is a low-cost complete solution from Festo's modular, mechatronic handling system. Manufacturers of electronics receive a ready-to-install system solution that is integrated directly into the unit.

  Camera as controller
But how does the axis with the gripper module and the components to be tested find the exact positions of free test places? The intelligent camera SBOI-Q from Festo takes care of this. It controls the electric handling unit via an integrated PLC. The camera analyses the image of the reference data and uses it to calculate the correct position for the X- and Z-axes of the handling unit.

The camera SBOI-Q is mounted on the front end of the electric cantilever handling unit. It takes on complete control of the handling unit thanks to the integrated CoDeSys PLC with CANopen master functionality. No additional control is necessary, so the entire system is less complex.

  Clever solution
With this intelligent camera, there is no need for a relatively slow and expensive high-precision spindle axis to position the gripper unit with the components to be tested or to invest in expensive absolute displacement encoders. A lower-cost toothed belt axis is sufficient for this application. Precision is required only at the gripping point, not on the entire travel path of the axis.

A comparison with spindle axes is impressive: the toothed belt axis even makes travel paths of over eight metres and speeds of 10 m/s possible – with a repetition accuracy of less than 0.04 mm. A solution with spindle axes could not achieve these values.

  Ready-to-install handling system
Fully assembled and tested, Festo delivers the ready-to-install cantilever handling unit directly to the test facility – equipped with all design data, circuit diagrams and a comprehensive functional and fixed-price guarantee. Customers not only receive hardware in the form of a ready-to-install subsytem, but a complete added-value package.

This total solution eases the burden on technical personnel, keeps design costs low, simplifies the procurement process and reduces process costs. "Customers today demand higher and higher speeds and precision at a low cost and with little complexity. This innovative approach to motion control lets us square the circle. This means that the users receive a system from a single source with just one contact person", David Bowyer, key account and industrial sector manager for the electronics production industry at Festo, explains. www.festo.com