ScanNPlan: Powerful and easy-to-use tool for automation
ScanNPlan is a powerful tool that allows real-time robot trajectory planning using 3D scanning data. In traditional industrial robot programming, the process is usually done through offline programming, which requires an expert-in-the-loop and limits responsiveness to changes in the process. However, ScanNPlan uses 3D scanning techniques to generate the geometry and location of the piece in real time, eliminating the need for human involvement in the loop and increasing agility.
With its ability to eliminate human intervention in the process, ScanNPlan is an ideal solution for operations that require flexibility, surpassing the limitations of traditional robot programming and allowing for applications where there are sets of highly variable pieces that make manual programming inefficient. It is also useful in situations where CAD models of parts are not available or where the pieces have flexible or deformable parts, making offline programming impossible. Additionally, if there is a need for flexible fixation of parts, ScanNPlan can provide a solution.
ScanNPlan is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of processes, including painting, surface finishing (sanding), polishing, deburring, or quality inspection.
By utilizing the power of 3D scanning, ScanNPlan provides a more efficient and effective solution for industrial robot programming, eliminating the need for human intervention and allowing real-time planning of robot trajectories. This approach enables manufacturers to be more responsive to changes in the production process, improve product quality, and increase efficiency.
Overall, ScanNPlan represents a significant advancement in the field of industrial robotics, providing a powerful tool that is adaptable to a variety of processes and capable of meeting the challenges of today's manufacturing environment.
A typical ScanNPlan process consists of two main steps:
- Scanning of the piece with a structured light camera
- Generation and execution of trajectories.
CONVERGING will further develop the ScanNPlan technology to provide operators with a powerful and easy-to-use tool for automating a great variety of processes. The Ford use case will serve as a testing ground for this development, focusing on the automation of die repairing.