Description

 This is a prototype of a custom machine that was built to take a tray of parts and sort out the parts that didn't belong in the tray. The complete quote came to $3000.

Orientation of the part is not a concern as the software orients the parts for comparison.

For screws the overall length, area, major diameter and minor diameter were used to sort parts. However, the machine was programmed as a comparator, the rest of the parts are compared to the first part it sees. As a result this is a very effective sorting machine for job shops that run many similar parts and can't afford to have custom machines for each part.

If measurements are needed the machine could have a telecentric lens and a better camera installed. Then a calibration/alignment target would be included for the machine to first inspect and make adjustments before checking parts. Then the first part would not be needed as a master as the machine could have variables input for the dimensions being inspected.

Background

In the manufacturing process the parts go through a regular sampling plan using other equipment. As a result this machine was only designed to sort out differences between parts. However, the machine could certainly be modified to inspect parts to a higher accuracy.

In manufacture, various sizes of the same part design may be run back to back on the same machine. When doing this, a part may be stuck in the machine from size A and later become unstuck while running size B. Also during batch processing there is always the opportunity for parts to become mixed.

This machine solves those problems by taking the first part as a master, then checking the rest of the parts against that part and removing any that do not fall within a set range.

Photos