Slovakian Distributor

OST is pleased to announce the appointment of Adaptive Automation as it representative in Slovakia.
Adaptive Automation will provide local sales and installation support for OST’s full range of products and services.
For further details contact:

Adaptive Automation
Budovateĺská
Prešov
08005
Slovakia
Tel. +421 51 4523230
Email marek.tkacik@adaptiveautomation.co.uk
Web www.adaptiveautomation.co.uk


April 2009

Tote Inspection

With increasing fuel bills, it is evermore important to ensure vehicles carry their optimum load.

The transportation of half empty totes takes up an unnecessary amount of space in each lorry.

Oxford Sensor Technology (OST) has developed a 3D scanning system, which can be mounted directly above an existing conveyor; the system detects a passing tote and calculates how full it is.

This information is then logged for later analysis of feed into the distribution centre’s control system so that immediate corrective action can be made.

How it works

The system comprises a 3D camera, an encoder and a bar code reader.

A line of laser light is projected across the conveyor. A camera system mounted at an angle to the laser views the laser line. As a tote moves under the laser line the camera system automatically captures hundreds of images, allowing a 3D profile of the contents to be constructed. The “percentage” full is then calculated.

The encoder allows the system to compensate for variations in conveyor speed and the inbuilt bar code reader allows the tote details to be logged along with the percentage full.

The system can also be configured to give outputs indicating overfull or under-full conditions to allow tote to be repacked.

The system has been design with the utmost flexibility in mind and can be easily configured to suit most conveyor systems.

By ensuring totes are full to there optimum limit hauliers can reduce the number of vehicles required, the resulting fuel and labour saving can enable a pay back period of a few months.
The same system can also be used to verify that returned totes are empty.

November 2008

Free Training Courses

Oxford Sensor Technology (OST) has started a series of free machine vision seminars for those interested in introducing vision systems to their workplace.
The half day duration seminars are designed to give a truthful introduction to general machine vision principles. There will be no high pressure sales presentation.
 
Topics covered will include:

• Illumination
• Cameras
• “Smart” cameras and PC based systems
• Interfacing to existing equipment.
• Advantages of machine vision.
• Potential Pit falls.

Sick launches a new entry level inspection system.

The Inspector is an intelligent vision solution for verifying completeness and quality.
The Inspector provides a simple pass/fail output, ensuring that only correct products make it through your process. [Further Information]

August 2008

Low cost system for TCP correction launched

Designed for us in the robotic welding environment, the WireGate provides automatic compensation for:

• Torch Changer Repeatability
• Contact Tip Wear
• Torch Distortion

Ferrari Selects OST’s SRS-VisionSensor

Ferrari has selected to use the SRS-VisionSensor, from Oxford Sensor Technology, for the guidance of robots fitting glass into its vehicles. SRS-VisionSensors mount onto the robot’s gripper and accurately locate the glass prior to pick-up. The glass is then presented to the vehicle and the same sensors locate the aperture into which the glass must fit, ensuring a perfect fit every time.
Fast reliable and total unaffected by colour the SRS-VisionSensors every 6 seconds of every working day a vehicle is glazed using SRS-VisionSensors.
Ferrari is the latest prestige car manufacturer to use OST vision systems in the manufacture of its vehicles, others include Porsche & Jaguar.

February 2008

Tyre & Wheel Verification Systems Launched

With mandatory requirements to record tyre information and an every increasing range of wheel styles used in the automotive sector, OST vision systems allow tyre manufacturers, wheel suppliers, automotive manufacturers and logistical support providers, to verify crucial information such as DOT codes and ensure the correct tyre is fitted on the correct style of wheel.

DOT Code Reading
Reading black text on a black background is extremely difficult using conventional imaging systems. To overcome this problem OST has developed a high speed 3D scanning solution.
A radial scan of tyre sidewall is made using a high speed camera and a laser light source, allowing a 3D profile to be constructed. The information is converted into a greyscale image, where the shade of each pixel represents the height of the tyres surface. Filtering allows the natural curve of the tyre to be removed and the text to be easily analysed.
The DOT code, or any other region of interest, is located and the text read.

Wheel Type Verification
A traditional area vision camera, coupled to a suitable illumination system allows the wheel style and size to be verified by automatically identifying the spoke pattern (or other features) and measuring the diameter of the rim

Bar Code Reading
Depending on the specific application, either a greyscale camera or a barcode reader can be included to read suppliers barcodes or matrix codes.

Wheel location
Location of the centre of the wheel and bolt/stud holes is easily achieved by the greyscale camera system allowing fast and accurate location for pick & place or wheel fitting robots

Wheel Manipulation / Handling
OST can provide vision system to be incorporated into existing installations or, working in conjunction with integration partners, complete handling systems.

The results from all the check are sent to a PLC or computer network via Ethernet or a bus network system (Device Net, Profi Bus, etc.)
The technology provides Fast, accurate 100% inspection of safety critical features

November 2007

OST to provide complete solutions

Oxford Sensor Technology now offers complete Turn Key solutions for robot guidance, inspection and welding.

Oxford Sensor Technology, the specialist in the development and supply of vision sensor systems, is pleased to announce that it now supplies custom made “turn key” solutions for a vast array of applications ranging from:

• Inspection Benches – to check the correct assembly of components
• Process Inspection Cells - to verify components as they move along a conveyor
• Packaging Inspection – 3D scanning to ensure correct packaging of food and other products
• Welding Cells – Utilising vision guided robots or manipulators to optimise process performance
• Pick & Place – Vision guided robots for pick and place applications
• Assembly – Robot guidance for component assembly

“Too often vision systems fail in a production environment because a selection of components is brought together by a system integrator which lacks the knowledge of sensor technology and does not have the experience to provide the robust reliable solution that the customer demands. OST solves these problems by using its expertise throughout the design, installation, programming and commissioning phases.” – Anthony Williams, Managing Director

OST launch OST-CellController

OST-CellController combines all the power, functionality and ease of use of Oxford Sensor Technology’s vision analysis software with a PC based PLC (programmable logic controller).

OST-CellController allows the rapid development and implementation of a fully automated inspection system or a vision guided robotic assembly cell without the need for a separate PLC. OST-CellController can interface directly to most camera systems, including high speed line scan systems, and OST's own range of specialist vision sensing technologies.

Configuration of the camera system, image analysis and cell control is easily achieved using “visual” basic scripting offering the user the utmost control and programming flexibility.

“The launch of OST-CellController yet again demonstrates OST’s dedication to continuous product development and a drive to offer our customers the best quality solution to their vision needs. Oxford Sensor Technology has specialised in providing vision systems to the automotive sector, the launch of OST-CellController will enable rapid system development to suit a vast range of new applications in new and diverse market sectors” – Anthony Williams, Managing Director of Oxford Sensor Technology

November 2006

OST to exhibit at the Moscow International Motor Show (MIMS).

Russia is becoming the latest target market for the world’s top automakers. Already Ford, GM, Toyota, Nissan, Renault, and Volkswagen have committed to local manufacturing.

The Moscow International Motor Show provides a platform for car manufacturers to demonstrate their vehicles and for suppliers to demonstrate their ranges of products and services

As a leading supplier of vision sensing technology for robot guidance and inspection, to the automotive sector, the MIMS will enable Oxford Sensor Technology to publicise its vast capabilities to a rapidly expanding market sector.

The Moscow International Motor Show is open from 30th August to 3rd September 2006 at the Crocus Expo exhibition centre on the outskirts of Moscow city

July 2006