85. A Fast Machine Vision for Automated Packaging

This paper introduces a fast, simple, cheap but accurate and reliable vision system designed for the automated packaging robot application, which is to replace manual product packaging. The objective is to develop a vision system and algorithm for such application and achieve pattern tracking in nearly real-time with a normal entry-level computer. This paper describes in detail the implementation of the proposed vision system including image processing and pattern recognition. The application uses only a simple gray scale image of product as sample pattern to track the product in the scene at real-time speed, which has come near to replace human eyes. The proposed machine vision has been implemented and equipped on a real ABB robot arm with other related hardware/software to achieve automated packaging. The performance has been evaluated as a success in both timing and precision. Its stability and reliability are also proved under laboratory testing environment.