Pose-estimation and reorientation of pistons for robotic bin-picking

2016 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianhua Su ◽  
Zhi-Yong Liu ◽  
Hong Qiao ◽  
Chuankai Liu
Keyword(s):  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Hierarchical Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Automobile Manufacturing ◽  
Bin Picking ◽  
Robotic Manipulations ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Picking System

Purpose – Picking up pistons in arbitrary poses is an important step on car engine assembly line. The authors usually use vision system to estimate the pose of the pistons and then guide a stable grasp. However, a piston in some poses, e.g. the mouth of the piston faces forward, is hardly to be directly grasped by the gripper. Thus, we need to reorient the piston to achieve a desired pose, i.e. let its mouth face upward, for grasping. Design/methodology/approach – This paper aims to present a vision-based picking system that can grasp pistons in arbitrary poses. The whole picking process is divided into two stages. At localization stage, a hierarchical approach is proposed to estimate the piston’s pose from image which usually involves both heavy noise and edge distortions. At grasping stage, multi-step robotic manipulations are designed to enable the piston to follow a nominal trajectory to reach to the minimum of the distance between the piston’s center and the support plane. That is, under the design input, the piston would be pushed to achieve a desired orientation. Findings – A target piston in arbitrary poses would be picked from the conveyor belt by the gripper with the proposed method. Practical implications – The designed robotic bin-picking system using vision is an advantage in terms of flexibility in automobile manufacturing industry. Originality/value – The authors develop a methodology that uses a pneumatic gripper and 2D vision information for picking up multiple pistons in arbitrary poses. The rough pose of the parts are detected based on a hierarchical approach for detection of multiple ellipses in the environment that usually involve edge distortions. The pose uncertainties of the piston are eliminated by multi-step robotic manipulations.

A 3D Vision-Based Solution for Product Picking In Industrial Applications

2010 ◽  
pp. 190-208
Author(s):  
Mirko Sgarbi ◽  
Valentina Colla ◽  
Gianluca Bioli
Keyword(s):  
Robot Manipulator ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Vision Systems ◽  
3D Vision ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Control Assembly ◽  
Single Marker ◽  
Bin Picking

Computer vision is nowadays a key factor in many manufacturing processes. Among all possible applications like quality control, assembly verification and component tracking, the robot guidance for pick and place operations can assume an important role in increasing the automation level of production lines. While 3D vision systems are now emerging as valid solutions in bin-picking applications, where objects are randomly placed inside a box, 2D vision systems are widely and successfully adopted when objects are placed on a conveyor belt and the robot manipulator can grasp the object by exploiting only the 2D information. On the other hand, there are many real-world applications where the 3rd dimension is required by the picking system. For example, the objects can differ in their height or they can be manually placed in front of the camera without any constraint on the distance between the object and the camera itself. Although a 3D vision system could represent a possible solution, 3D systems are more complex, more expensive and less compact than 2D vision systems. This chapter describes a monocular system useful for picking applications. It can estimate the 3D position of a single marker attached to the target object assuming that the orientation of the object is approximately known.

Defect Segmentation of Semiconductor Wafer Image Using k-Means Clustering

2015 ◽  
Vol 815 ◽  
pp. 374-379 ◽  
Author(s):  
N.H. Saad ◽  
N. Mohamad Sabri ◽  
A.F. Hasan ◽  
Azuwa Ali ◽  
Hariyanti Mohd Saleh
Keyword(s):  
Machine Vision ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Clustering Algorithm ◽  
Vision System ◽  
Semiconductor Wafer ◽  
Spatial Features ◽  
Two Stages ◽  
Wafer Manufacturing ◽  
Specific Number ◽  
Human Inspection

Nowadays, quality control becomes an important issue in semiconductor manufacturing industry. The rate of production with respect to time gives a lot of issues in the industry. In most semiconductor assemblies, a lot of defects generated from various processes in semiconductor wafer manufacturing need to be inspected manually using human experts and this process required full concentration of the operators. This human inspection procedure, however, is time consuming and highly subjective. In order to overcome this problem, implementation of machine vision will be the best solution. This paper presents defect segmentation of semiconductor wafer image based on colour features with k-Means clustering algorithm which can be adopted in machine vision system. In this work, the segmentation process is carried out in two stages. The first stage comprised of clustering the pixels in the image based on their colour and spatial features. Then the clustered pixels are merged to a specific number of regions. The proposed approach is being evaluated using defected wafer image. The experimental results show that it can be used to segment the defect correctly. By using this method, it is possible to increase the computational efficiency since it will avoid feature extraction for every pixel in the image.

The obstacles of China’s intelligent automobile manufacturing industry development

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 159-183
Author(s):  
Yuhong Cao ◽  
Jianxin You ◽  
Yongjiang Shi ◽  
Wei Hu
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Equation Modeling ◽  
Manufacturing Cost ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Automobile Manufacturing

Purpose This paper aims to make a systematic study on the factors that hinder the development of China’s intelligent automobile manufacturing industry; based on comprehensive understanding of these obstacles and by optimization means, ultimately, the healthy and sustainable development of intelligent automobile manufacturing industry in China can be promoted. Design/methodology/approach Based on a questionnaire survey of intelligent automobile manufacturing listed companies in China, first, fuzzy semantic scale was adopted to collect respondents’ choices, the fuzzy score function is used to calculate the fuzzy score value and these data are used as the basis for subsequent model analysis. Then, structural equation modeling (SEM) was adopted to analyze the causal relationship between influencing factors to explore the main hinder factors. Findings It is found that, in the short term, the backwardness of technological industrialization is the main reason leading to low permeability of intelligent automobile; in the medium term, the imperfect industrial R&D ability and the insufficiency of infrastructure are major causes for high manufacturing cost and low competitiveness of intelligent automobile manufacturing industry; in the long term, the lack of national policy and industrial strategic planning is the main factors affect intelligent automobile manufacturing cost and the industry competitiveness. Practical implications The research conclusion has important policy implications for promoting intelligent automobile manufacturing sustainable development. In recent years, China’s intelligent automobile manufacturing industry has gradually stepped out of breeding period; therefore, the role of government should be gradually transformed from participants to managers and regulators. Considering the fact that intelligent automobile cost is very high, and still higher than the cost of fuel vehicle, government should focus on the issues such as improving R&D capabilities, infrastructure construction, policy framework system, legal system and technological industrialization. Specifically, in short-term planning, improving technological industrialization level is the key to development; in medium-term planning, policymakers should focus on the improvement of R&D capabilities and infrastructure; considering the long-term development, establishing appropriate national policies and dealing with the adverse impact of imperfect strategic planning are the most sensible choice. Originality/value This paper analyzes the factors that hinder the development of China’s intelligent automobile manufacturing industry for the first time, and provides the basic logic of integration factors at different levels with the development of intelligent automobile to reveal the uniqueness and facts of China’s economic development.

An approach for green supplier selection in the automobile manufacturing industry

Kybernetes ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 571-588 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qian Yu ◽  
Fujun Hou
Keyword(s):  
Supplier Selection ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Selection Problem ◽  
Analytic Hierarchy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Automobile Manufacturing ◽  
Green Supplier Selection ◽  
Green Suppliers ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
Supplier Selection Problem

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study a modified multiplicative analytic hierarchy process (MMAHP) method, which is combined with multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) and applied MMAHP model for solving green supplier selection problem. Design/methodology/approach – Supplier selection is typically a MCDM problem including both qualitative and quantitative factors that has to be taken into consideration. To select the best green suppliers with the highest potential for meeting a firm’s needs consistently, the MMAHP is utilized in this study. Then a green supplier selection problem of a well-known automobile manufacturing company in Qingdao is investigated. The authors also make a comparison of the results with that of the traditional AHP, during which the authors observe that the MMAHP is an effective approach for the considered problem and potential rank reversals can be avoided, that is, when a new supplier is added, the ranking of suppliers does not change and maintains its original relative ratio. Findings – A numerical example of green supplier selection is utilized to verify the proposed approach. The results show that the MMAHP is an effective approach for the considered problem and potential rank reversals can be avoided. Practical implications – The proposed approach can be used to solving green supplier selection problems and can avoid the rank reversal. Originality/value – The paper introduces the MMAHP method to help researchers to choose more effective approach for green supplier selection.

Boundary Condition Design to Heat a Moving Object at Uniform Transient Temperature Using Inverse Formulation

2004 ◽  
Vol 126 (3) ◽  
pp. 619-626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakan Ertu¨rk ◽  
Ofodike A. Ezekoye ◽  
John R. Howell
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Condition ◽  
Temperature Distribution ◽  
Design Problem ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Chemical Deposition ◽  
Iterative Solution ◽  
Conveyor Belt ◽  
Temperature History ◽  
Transient Temperature

The boundary condition design of a three-dimensional furnace that heats an object moving along a conveyor belt of an assembly line is considered. A furnace of this type can be used by the manufacturing industry for applications such as industrial baking, curing of paint, annealing or manufacturing through chemical deposition. The object that is to be heated moves along the furnace as it is heated following a specified temperature history. The spatial temperature distribution on the object is kept isothermal through the whole process. The temperature distribution of the heaters of the furnace should be changed as the object moves so that the specified temperature history can be satisfied. The design problem is transient where a series of inverse problems are solved. The process furnace considered is in the shape of a rectangular tunnel where the heaters are located on the top and the design object moves along the bottom. The inverse design approach is used for the solution, which is advantageous over a traditional trial-and-error solution where an iterative solution is required for every position as the object moves. The inverse formulation of the design problem is ill-posed and involves a set of Fredholm equations of the first kind. The use of advanced solvers that are able to regularize the resulting system is essential. These include the conjugate gradient method, the truncated singular value decomposition or Tikhonov regularization, rather than an ordinary solver, like Gauss-Seidel or Gauss elimination.

scholarly journals Fast and Robust Bin-picking System for Densely Piled Industrial Objects *

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaxin Guo ◽  
Lian Fu ◽  
Mingkai Jia ◽  
Kaijun Wang ◽  
Shan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Bin Picking ◽  
Picking System

scholarly journals Monopoly behavior of China’s manufacturing enterprises

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 157-179
Author(s):  
Guidong Wang
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Rent Seeking ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Manufacturing Enterprises ◽  
Slow Decline ◽  
State Capital ◽  
The Government ◽  
Do So ◽  
Initial Jump

Purpose With the increase of state capital, corporate total factor productivity (TFP) has a tendency to jump up at first and then slowly decrease. Generally, no significant “productivity paradox” can be observed in China’s manufacturing industry. With the increase of export density, corporate TFP also shows a trend of initial jump growth and subsequent slow decline. This paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach Using the 1996–2013 China Industrial Enterprise Database, this paper studies the monopolistic behavior of Chinese manufacturing enterprises through the measurement of TFP and corporate monopoly power. Findings Results show that China’s manufacturing monopoly enterprises are generally innovation-oriented rather than rent-seeking. However, there are certain differences between diversified types of monopoly enterprises: the ones with state capital are more inclined to innovate than those without, whereas the ones with export delivery value are more inclined to seek rent than those without. Originality/value Therefore, the government should implement differentiated policies for diversified types of monopoly enterprises, and do so in a targeted manner fully reflecting the containment of rent-seeking and the encouragement of innovation.

Identifying the best practices in green operations strategy of hospitals

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 1106-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yazan Khalid Abed-Allah Migdadi ◽  
Abeer Ahmad Omari
Keyword(s):  
Best Practices ◽  
Waste Management ◽  
Electrical Power ◽  
Global Reporting Initiative ◽  
Operations Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Hazardous Waste Management ◽  
The World ◽  
Sustainability Reports ◽  
Two Stages

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the best practices in the green operations strategy of hospitals. Design/methodology/approach A total of 25 cases from all over the world were investigated. The source of data was the annual sustainability reports that were retrieved from Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) database. The present research adopted the benchmarking method and the quantitative content analysis of sustainability reports. Then, the indicative models of best practices were developed by using two analysis approaches; within cluster analysis and across clusters analysis. Findings This study found four major taxonomies of green operation strategy in hospitals. The significant strategic groups were resources/waste management; electrical power management; non-hazardous waste management; and emissions/resources management. Indicative models for the relationship between actions and key green performance indicators were developed in the two stages of the analysis. Originality/value The best practices of green operations strategies in hospitals have not so far been investigated. Countries around the world should obey the new regulations for their environmental footprint; if they do, it will exert pressure on all sectors and organizations at all levels to take immediate steps to measure and improve their environmental performance.

New product and emerging business growth in Kwara State

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 207-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seun Oladele ◽  
Femi Oladele
Keyword(s):  
Market Share ◽  
Manufacturing Industry ◽  
Service Industry ◽  
New Product ◽  
Sales Volume ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Product Service ◽  
Service Portfolio

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of new product on growth of emerging businesses (EBs) through sales volume and market share. Design/methodology/approach – The study surveyed 137 EBs in Kwara State. Two hypotheses were formulated and tested using correlation and regression analyses. Findings – Results show that service industry is dominant among EBs while the manufacturing industry trails. Many EBs are aware of the complexities of new product, its development and contribution to increasing sales volume, market share and ensuring competitive advantage with apparent infrastructural deficiencies. Test results show that there is a significant positive relationship and effect on sales volume and market share. Originality/value – Encouraging EBs to step up and focus on improving product/service portfolio to transform their fortune is explored giving focus to the benefits of increasing sales volume and market share.

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