Epson Introduces Easy-to-Use Vision System for Industrial Robots
– A simple system enabling users to set up flexible robot equipment for multi-product manufacturing
– TOKYO, Japan, May 24, 2007 –
On May 24, Seiko Epson Corporation ("Epson") will begin marketing the Vision Guide 5.0 image processing option designed for use with the Micro PowerDrive RC170 industrial robot controller.
Vision Guide 5.0 can be installed as an RC170 option for both SCARA and 6-axis robots. In designing this robot vision system, developers focused on improving and simplifying its functions to provide a hassle-free solution to setting up robot vision equipment. By eliminating the need for parts positioning devices and specially produced supply pallets, this option cuts equipment costs considerably. In addition, Vision Guide 5.0 also makes it possible to significantly reduce the amount of time spent on setup changes for multi- product manufacturing. The main features of Vision Guide 5.0 are as follows:
- Connecting the robot controller is easy. (Simply hook up the smart camera*1 to the Ethernet connector.)
- Coordinating between the robot and the camera is simple. (Comes equipped with a vision calibration wizard.)
- Allows for a high degree of freedom in equipment layout. (An easy-to-use, compact, and lightweight camera is included for robot arm installation.)
- Allows for high-speed and high-precision measurement of position and rotation angle, as well as strong geometric/correlation pattern matching regardless of light source fluctuations.
- Significantly reduces the amount of time required to set up equipment by establishing an integrated development environment*2 with robots.
- Even first-time users can easily set up a compact robot vision system with superior cost performance by using this option in combination with the RC170 controller*3.
New model release dates
| Product name | Approximate release date |
| Vision Guide 5.0 + External Camera | Early June 2007 |
| Vision Guide 5.0 + Fixed Robot Arm Camera | Early June 2007 |
Annual sales of 160 units are expected within Japan.
For further information on industrial robots, please refer to the following website.
http://www.epson.jp/fa/e/index.htm
http://www.epson.jp/fa/e/index.htm
Notes
*1 An image processing engine is installed within the compact camera body, eliminating the need to use image processing equipment from external sources such as computers.
*2 Vision development can be carried out using the robot program development software.
*3 The compact RC170 controller is one-fourth the size of conventional equipment in terms of volume (compared with previous Epson models).
*2 Vision development can be carried out using the robot program development software.
*3 The compact RC170 controller is one-fourth the size of conventional equipment in terms of volume (compared with previous Epson models).
Main functions
- The use of a smart camera eliminates the need for a computer for image processing and provides enhanced reliability.
- Since Epson offers the choice of a compact fixed robot arm camera unit for attaching to the robot arm or an external camera unit, customers can select the camera that is most suitable for their equipment layouts.
- Standard support of geometrical/correlation pattern matching allows users to carry out high-speed, high-precision position/rotation tracking for work involving complicated configurations.
Product configuration
- This product is offered either with an external camera (A) or a fixed robot arm camera (B). A 5 m flexible cable is included as standard equipment with the fixed robot arm camera.
- Up to four cameras can be connected to one controller. In addition, two RC170 units can share the use of one camera.
Specifications
| Hardware specifications | |
| CCD | 1/4-inch interline transfer Progressive scan Monochrome square CCD |
| Effective resolution | 640 (H) x 480 (V) |
| Frame rate | Max. 30 fps |
| Weight/Volume | 435 g (External camera unit) 435 g (Fixed robot arm camera unit) 185 g (Fixed robot arm camera) |
| Dimensions | External camera unit: 60.05W x 154.13D x 48.26H (mm) Fixed robot arm camera unit: 60.55W x 150.19 D x 51.31H (mm) Fixed robot arm camera: 68.17W x 44.0D x 48.77H (mm) |
| Power supply | 24 VDC 375 mA (max.) |
| Software specifications | |
| Vision tools | Geometric pattern matching |
| Correlation pattern matching | |
| BLOB (binary large object) detection | |
| Edge detection | |
| Polar search | |
| Various image control tools (enlargement, reduction, etc.) | |
| Camera calibrations | Camera facing downward within the robot’s field of motion |
| Camera facing upward within the robot’s field of motion | |
| Robot J2 mount camera (SCARA) | |
| Robot J4 mount camera (SCARA) | |
| Robot J5 mount camera (6-axis) | |
| Robot J6 mount camera (6-axis) | |
| Fixed camera | |
