Bin picking technology

Bin picking (also known as “reaching into the box”) refers to a special process in industrial image processing and robotics in which a robot detects, grasps, and removes unsorted parts from a box (or container).

Unlike traditional pick-and-place systems, where parts are arranged in an orderly fashion (e.g., in rows or on conveyor belts), parts in bin picking are stored in a disorderly and chaotic manner in a bin. This makes the process significantly more complex.

The process:

A 3D camera or sensor scans the box.
Software recognizes tangible objects (e.g., parts on top).
The robot plans a gripping path.
The part is gripped and removed.
Repeat until the box is empty or no more parts are accessible.

Application example: Crankshafts are removed from a mesh box.

The component is detected using a 3D laser sensor. This provides a point cloud that is compared with the stored CAD component. This allows the position (x, y, z) and orientation (A, B, C) to be detected. The gripper with Z-compensation and control function detects whether multiple components are being lifted.

Your benefits:

Flexibility in parts feeding
Less time-consuming preparation (no orderly feeding systems necessary)
Cost savings through automation of previously manual processes
Lower error rate and quality assurance through the use of robots
Cycle time optimization