Three cells at Hastech, a Linamar Corporation company, that perform random bin picking / machine tending of automotive parts.

Linamar automates random bin picking with Apera AI x ABB Robotics

Summary

Hastech Manufacturing, a division of Linamar Corporation, was manually loading unmachined automotive parts for processing. Linamar is a Tier 1 automotive supplier headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. While dealing with labor shortages and wanting higher productivity, they turned to ABB Robotics and Apera AI across three robotic cells. They automated the process—improving efficiency and focusing their operators on quality and productivity.

Project Scope

This is the complete cell design, with the ABB industrial robot with a custom end-of-arm tool, the deep plastic-lined bin filled with parts, and the two 2D cameras used by Apera AI for scene acquisition positioned overhead. The robot picks the unmachined discs and stacks them in the middle of the picture.
This is the complete cell design, with the ABB industrial robot with a custom end-of-arm tool, the deep plastic-lined bin filled with parts, and the two 2D cameras used by Apera AI for scene acquisition positioned overhead. The robot picks the unmachined discs and stacks them in the middle of the picture.

Across three machines, Linamar operators were responsible for loading unmachined transmission discs on to the machines’ feeder system. Due to labor shortages, Linamar wanted to automate this process. They chose a combination of ABB Robotics industrial robots and Apera AI’s Vue robotic vision software. After success with the initial cell, the same solution was implemented across the remaining two cells.

Apera AI's Vue robotic vision software in the application at Hastech. When training our AI systems in the application, the training includes the robot model, end-of-arm tool, and objects being handled. Training continues until we achieve production-level reliability.
Apera AI’s Vue robotic vision software in the application at Hastech. When training our AI systems in the application, the training includes the robot model, end-of-arm tool, and objects being handled. Training continues until we achieve production-level reliability.

Project Results

All three cells are now successfully picking, allowing Hastech’s operators to focus on quality of the automotive parts leaving the machine and the machines’ productivity. ABB’s robots seamlessly perform the job using a custom end-of-arm tool that picks through the center of the disc. Linamar is working with both providers to implement the technology elsewhere in its operating companies.

The bin in this application is deep, and overhead lighting casts large shadows. Despite these factors, the ABB / Apera AI combination is able to work reliably.
The bin in this application is deep, and overhead lighting casts large shadows. Despite these factors, the ABB / Apera AI combination is able to work reliably.

Random bin picking of the unmachined discs is challenging for a few reasons. The bin is deep and lined with plastic that interferes with visibility. Lighting is a big problem in vision, but Apera AI’s technology can work even in the irregular lighting and shadows within Hastech’s facilities. And the parts are covered in grease that interferes with visibility as well. When emptying the bin, the Apera vision system must guide the robot into the corners and avoid collisions with the sides as it moves the part out of the bin.