SmartRunner 3D solutions from Pepperl+Fuchs feature stereo vision or time-of-flight technology

Industrial vision is a key technology in rationalizing industrial plants and machines. And wherever 2-D sensors and systems reach their limits, suitable 3-D sensors and systems are required. Here, the user’s focus is not centered on the technology itself, but on finding a solution to several or one specific application. These innovative 3-D technologies and their later, upgraded versions provide more technically robust and simpler solutions to many tasks, thereby continuously opening up new applications.

Depending on the application, either stereo vision or time-of-flight technology can be selected as part of the SmartRunner product family. The technology may be chosen based on a variety of factors, including the required resolution, the distance, and the region of interest. Factory calibration and the temperature-regulating aluminum housing guarantee a reliable 3-D point cloud.

An example application using stereo vision technology is battery module testing. The SmartRunner 3-D views the container holding the individual cells from above. The first check is the number of battery cells. This is followed by the detection of overhangs, i.e., height control. Finally, the shape of the entire battery module is checked, and if everything is OK, production can proceed to the next step.

A second example is ToF technology, which is especially well-suited for 3-D capture in highly dynamic applications. A typical application here is controlling automated guided vehicles (AGVs). The sensor “looks” in the direction of travel and detects obstacles that suddenly appear and approaching structures. This could be the recess in the pallet base for a forklift or the free or occupied stack position in the warehouse.

For more information, please visit http://www.pepperl-fuchs.com.