Robotics and Machine Vision

Navigate the Options to Boost Productivity

As the gap between open positions and available, qualified, workers continues to grow for manufacturers, creative and sustainable solutions are needed to keep operations running efficiently. Whether you need to automate processes, give your workforce an assist, or accelerate inspections, there are many robotic- and vision-based methods that can push production and free-up valuable human resources for more meaningful tasks.

Diving into the world of robotics might feel intimidating. With experience in every aspect of automation and control, ACE is the perfect partner to help you navigate these complexities. Whether you need help determining which tools will best meet your needs, programming your equipment, ensuring seamless integration of new technology with existing systems, or troubleshooting issues with existing robotic cells, ACE is here to help.

Retrofitting and Troubleshooting Existing Vision Systems

Alleviating issues with or improving the performance of a machine vision system frequently involves a bit of detective work; but unless obsolescence is a factor, will rarely involve a rip and replace. Contrary to popular belief, when you have a vision system that is not meeting expectations, the hardware may not be at fault! We can help evaluate your system’s configuration and positioning, as well as its performance, behaviors, and inspection results to pinpoint issues and identify any changes or upgrades needed. Rather than sell you the latest and greatest components, our goal is to morph your existing vision system from a frequent source of frustration to the valuable time saving tool it was intended to be.

Empowering Your Workforce with Cobots

While your processes may not be a good fit for a fully automated industrial robotic solution, have you considered what a collaborative robot, or cobot, could do for you? Specifically designed to safely work alongside humans, cobots can empower your workforce and boost productivity by taking on repetitive, physically demanding, and precision-based tasks. These multi-axis robots offer dexterity, and since these systems can be quickly retooled and retrained as production needs change, are also highly flexible.

Does My Vision System Need AI?

Since many vision processing vendors are now including artificial intelligence (AI) enhancements that enable machine vision systems to perform even more complex inspections, it’s easy to assume AI is a must-have for your vision system. If your process requires complex pattern recognition or anomaly detection, or you need to inspect parts with a lot of variability, then AI-based vision equipment may be the best fit for you. But not all vision tasks require AI! Depending on the tasks you need to perform, a traditional vision system, or one that is enhanced by AI tools, may actually be the best fit.

Preparing Your Plant for Industrial Robotics

Processes that require high-speeds, high-volume, heavy lifting, or occur in hazardous environments can often greatly benefit from incorporating industrial robotics. But, before making this significant investment, you need to be sure your plant is ready. From performing physical safety assessments to simulating operational environments to helping configure and program robotic cells, ACE works closely with customers to successfully integrate industrial robotics into the line. Or, if you’re growing frustrated with an existing system that’s not working as expected, our experts can help troubleshoot all aspects of your robotic cell to identify, and solve, any underlying issues.

Optimizing Warehouse Logistics with Robotics

To increase efficiency, reduce errors, and improve inventory management in warehouses, distributors need to embrace robotic solutions such as autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) or automated guided vehicles (AGVs). To identify the technology that will best meet your needs, you must consider a variety of factors. This includes the space available, the impact installing the system could have on operations (AGVs move on a defined track/path that must be installed), and how much flexibility you will need in your system. These factors can change dramatically depending on whether you’re building a greenfield facility or retrofitting an existing operation. With ACE by your side, we can work together to develop a solution that will meet all your needs.