Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023 - MD-13

using a peg system before being transported
to the oven for heat treatment.
The immense diversity in size and
weight of the metal parts, combined with
their fragile nature prior to heat treatment,
makes the handling process extremely
complex. The following types of
variances in the process made automation
with conventional solutions impossible:
* variance in the size and weight of the
components
* variance in the positioning of the components
within the washing basket
* variance in the position of the racks
* variance in the appearance of the component
due to reflection and changing
lighting conditions.
In October 2022, HWL automated the
part loading task with a robot equipped
with MIRAI, an artificial intelligence-powered
vision system designed
for tasks that are too difficult or costly to
automate with traditional solutions.
Using AI, MIRAI generates robot movements
in real time, responding to changing
conditions in the production environment
(e.g., lighting, shape, position,
color, or background). Robot skills (or
specific
tasks) are trained, not programmed,
through human demonstration,
without users needing programming
or AI knowledge.
To start, the robot is repeatedly shown
both a task and the environment with
the help of a camera that is typically
mounted on the robot's wrist. The recorded
information is then transformed
into a skill capable of handling variances
autonomously.
After the washing process is completed,
the MIRAI system takes control of the
robot. Guided by MIRAI, it individually
lifts the delicate parts from the washing
baskets and places them on the pegs in the
racks. The AI-based vision system automatically
adapts to the varying sizes and weights
of these highly individualized parts. Unlike
traditional vision systems, even changing
lighting conditions and resulting reflections
on the surface of the workpieces do
not affect the functionality and precision
of the system. " By automating processes
with MIRAI, we can save costs and position
ourselves as an innovative and modern
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13
company while enhancing the attractiveness
of our workplace, " Lambke explained.
Since the implementation of MIRAI,
HWL employees have taken on the responsibility
of managing and retraining
the system, especially important when
faced with changing requirements or
environmental modifications.
" The fact that these adjustments can
be made by our employees without the
need for experienced programmers from
the manufacturer is a significant advantage, "
Lambke said. " We have even been
able to optimize cycle times by 20 percent.
That's exactly the flexibility we
need. By automating processes, we can
save costs, position ourselves as a progressive
and modern company, and enhance
the attractiveness of our workplace. "
As a result of these positive experiences,
HWL envisions adding more AIbased
applications soon.
This article was contributed by
Micropsi Industries (Berlin, Germany).
For more information, visit www.micropsiindustries.com.
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Tech Briefs Magazine - December 2023

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