Workpiece Image Analysis for Faster High-Precision Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece measurement methods require significant operator workload and knowledge for setting measurement points, approach points, and involve complex procedures, especially when combining touch sensors and visual sensors for high resolution and large area measurement.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece image analyzing device and method that includes a display unit for designating analysis objects, a feature extracting unit for structural feature extraction, an analysis item setting unit, and a physical quantity calculating unit to reduce the workload by allowing intuitive designation of measurement objects through fewer operation steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a touch sensor is used to measure the workpiece, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the measurement time increases and the operator workload increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into two segments: first, a visual sensor captures an image of the entire workpiece to obtain overall shape and position information quickly; second, a touch sensor measures specific critical points with high precision. This segmentation allows the system to benefit from both the speed of image-based measurement and the accuracy of touch-based measurement, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and measurement time.
2Measurement precision
If a touch sensor is used to measure the workpiece, then measurement accuracy is improved, but the operator workload increases due to manual movement and coordinate input
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating the measurement program based on the workpiece image captured by the visual sensor. The program generation unit creates measurement programs that automatically specify measurement points and approach points, eliminating the need for operators to manually input coordinates and plan measurement paths. This reduces operator workload while maintaining measurement accuracy through the subsequent touch sensor measurements.
3Productivity
If an image captured by a visual sensor is used to measure the workpiece, then measurement speed is improved, but measurement resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two measurement approaches: image-based measurement and touch-based measurement. The visual sensor provides quick overview information about the workpiece shape and position, while the touch sensor provides high-resolution measurements at specific points. By combining these two methods in a coordinated measurement program, the system achieves both the speed of image measurement and the resolution of touch measurement.
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece image analyzing device is provided with: a display unit for displaying an image of a workpiece to be processed by an industrial machine; an analysis object designating unit for accepting designation of an analysis object with respect to the image of the workpiece; a feature extracting unit for extracting, in a real-world coordinate system, structural features of the analysis object designated by the analysis object designating unit; an analysis item setting unit for accepting designation of an analysis item with respect to the image of the workpiece; and a physical quantity calculating unit which extracts, from the structural features of the analysis object, a feature required for calculating a physical quantity pertaining to the analysis item designated by the analysis item setting unit, and calculates the physical quantity using the extracted feature.