Systems and methods for isolating parts

• US 20060083419A1
• Filed: 10/18/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America Inc (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Ono, Masayuki, Carbaugh, Michael
• Application Number:
  US10/967,759
• Publication Number:
  US 20060083419A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 382/141
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/41815 characterised by the cooperation between machine tools, manipulators and conveyor or other workpiece supply system, workcell
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45063 Pick and place manipulator
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

Abstract

A part isolation system of one embodiment includes an identification surface, a loader assembly having a drop point located above the identification surface and a vision system. The loader assembly may be configured to release a plurality of parts from the drop point onto the stationary identification surface for separation of the parts and recognition by the vision system.

Claims

1. A part isolation system comprising:

an identification surface;

a picker assembly comprising a loader assembly, said loader assembly having a drop point located above said identification surface; and

a vision system, wherein said loader assembly is configured to release a plurality of manufacturing parts from said drop point such that they fall onto said identification surface and wherein said vision system is configured to take an image of said parts after being dropped onto said surface and to compare said image in order to identify said parts and to control appropriate transfer of said parts based upon the identification.

2. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a receptacle positioned adjacent said identification surface configured for storage of said parts.

3. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a conveyor system configured for transfer of said parts after identification by said vision system.

4. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a storage assembly.

5. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, wherein said identification surface comprises a clearing arrangement configured to clear a part from said surface if a part cannot be identified by said vision system.

6. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, wherein said loader assembly comprises a feeder assembly configured to remove said plurality of parts from a receptacle.

7. The part isolation system as recited in claim 6, wherein said feeder assembly comprises a claw.

8. The part isolation system as recited in claim 6, wherein said feeder assembly comprises a magnet.

9. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a gripper assembly configured to remove each of said plurality of parts from said identification surface to a transfer location based upon the type of part identified by said vision system.

10. The part isolation system as recited in claim 9, wherein said gripper assembly comprises a claw.

11. The part isolation system as recited in claim 1, wherein said loader assembly is rotatably mounted to said picker assembly.

12. A part isolation system comprising:

a stationary identification surface;

a picker assembly comprising a loader assembly, said loader assembly including a feeder assembly and a gripper assembly, said feeder assembly having a drop point located above said identification surface; and

a vision system, wherein said feeder assembly is configured to release a plurality of manufacturing parts from said drop point such that they fall onto said identification surface and wherein said vision system is configured to take an image of said parts after being dropped onto said surface and to compare said image in order to identify said parts and to control appropriate transfer of said parts based upon the identification.

13. The part isolation system as recited in claim 12, wherein said loader assembly is rotatably mounted to said picker assembly.

14. The part isolation system as recited in claim 12, wherein said feeder assembly comprises a magnet.

15. The part isolation system as recited in claim 12, wherein said gripper assembly comprises a claw.

16. A method for isolating varying parts within a receptacle comprising:

providing an identification surface;

providing a loader assembly having a drop point located above said identification surface;

removing multiple parts from said receptacle using said loader assembly;

dropping said parts at said drop point onto said identification surface such that said parts fall onto and collide with said identification surface;

providing a vision system for recognizing said parts dropped onto said identification surface;

using the vision system to provide an identification signal indicating the identification of one of said parts;

removing at least one of said parts from said identification surface based upon said identification signal; and

moving said removed part to a location based upon said identification signal.

17. The method for isolating varying parts as recited in claim 16, further comprising providing a conveyor system for transporting said at least one of said parts removed from said identification surface.

18. The method for isolating varying parts as recited in claim 16, further comprising clearing at least one part from said identification surface when the vision system fails to provide an identification signal for said part.

19. The method for isolating varying parts as recited in claim 16, further comprising removing said parts from said receptacle with a feeder assembly associated with said loader assembly.

20. The method for isolating varying parts as recited in claim 16, further comprising transporting at least one of said parts removed from said identification surface to a storage assembly.