Error-Proof Assembly Operations

Manufacturing Engineering, Mar 2007

Manufactured by Radix Controls Inc. (Oldcastle, Ontario, Canada), Tool Tracker is a vision-based system for error-proofing manufacturing assembly operations. It employs a high-speed visual tracking technology to monitor and report the position of a hand tool in 3-D space within a workcell. Although it was developed for use in a manual fastening system, this system, according to Radix Controls, is applicable to any assembly operation in which tool, part, or assembly location information is required.

Tool Tracker consists of a tracking target that's attached to the tool, a calibration target, one or more cameras, and system software (configured for a standard computer). No part training, CMM data, or extensive setup are required. The system reportedly achieves accuracy of 1 mm and repeatability of 0.5 mm. It operates at frame rates for single-camera image acquisition of 15 frames/sec and single-camera image processing of 10 frames/sec.

This error-proofing system can extend the traceability capability of a manufacturer from simply recording parameters for tightening an unidentified bolt to the level of complete error proofing and identifying which bolt has been tightened. It permits correlation of bolt location and identification with the specific tightening parameters. This can be done by applying the tracking target to the nutrunner gun, calibrating to the socket position, and launching the Tool Tracker. Circle 457