Autonomous Picking
World’s First Autonomous Bin Picking Kit for UR Cobots
ActiNav is a UR+ application kit that simplifies the integration of autonomous bin picking of parts and accurate placement in machines using UR cobots. It synchronously handles vision processing, collision-free motion planning and autonomous real-time robot control.
Bild: Universal Robots (Germany) GmbH
Today, most bin picking products are solely focused on the vision aspect of bin picking and often require hundreds of lines of additional programming to bridge the gap from pick to place – especially if the place is not just dropping into a box or tote but accurately inserting the part into a fixture for further processing. ActiNav changes all that, allowing manufacturers with limited or no bin picking deployment expertise to quickly achieve high machine uptime and accurate part placement with few operator interventions. The kit combines real-time autonomous motion control, collaborative robotics, vision and sensor systems in one easy to use, fast to deploy and cost-effective kit.
The system requires no vision or robotic programming expertise, but is instead based on a teach-by-demonstration principle using a six-step, wizard-guided setup process integrated into the UR cobot teach pendant. ActiNav can be easily and quickly deployed by manufacturers‘ in-house automation teams or through assistance from a UR distributor or integrator to deliver increased productivity, quality and efficiency. Like other UR+ application kits, ActiNav is developed with in-depth application knowledge that eliminates the duplication of engineering efforts when deploying widely used applications. It works with UR’s UR5e and UR10e e-Series cobots, a UR+ component or user-defined end effector, and application-specific frame or fixture as needed.
The kit includes the Autonomous Motion Module (AMM) and ActiNav URCap user interface software, along with a choice of 3D sensors. The kit autonomously inserts parts into CNC or processing machines such as drilling, deburring, welding, trimming or tapping. The high-resolution 3D sensor and CAD matching enables high-accuracy picks powered by AMM that determines how to pick the part, then controls the robot to pick the part and place it in a fixture each time. The autonomous motion control enables ActiNav to operate inside deep bins that hold more parts; something that standalone bin picking vision systems struggle to accomplish. ActiNav is now launching in the U.S., Mexico and Canada with worldwide availability to be announced later in the year.
