Automated Raw Part Alignment by a Novel Machine Vision Approach

Large raw parts require a long time consuming process of alignment into the machine tool, before the machining process starts. Alignment process requires two steps: first, characterization of geometry, and second, alignment. Important skills are necessary, and, besides the time consumption of workforce and machine, the risk of getting into shortage of material is high. The paper presents a novel automated alignment solution based on 3D vision technology, with the aim of minimising the total raw part alignment process time. The potential of the solution to reduce the alignment process time in machine tools is demonstrated in milling pilot cases.