7.1.1 d

d. Inspection process

•      Inspection Operation:

–     Some inspection operation require parts to be manipulated, and other applications require that an inspection tool be manipulated.

–     Inspection work requires high precision and patience, and human judgment is often needed to determine whether a product is within quality specifications or not.

–     Inspection tasks that are performed by industrial robots can usually be divided into the following three techniques:

•      By using a feeler gauge or a linear displacement transducer known as a linear variable differential transformer(LVDT), the part being measured will come in physical contact with the instrument or by means of air pressure, which will cause it to ride above the surface being measured.

•      By utilizing robotic vision, matrix video cameras are used to obtain an image of the area of interest, which is digitized and compared to a similar image with specified tolerance.

•      By involving the use of optics and light, usually a laser or infrared source is used to illustrate the area of interest. 

–     The robot may be in active or passive role.

•      In active role robot is responsible for determining whether the part is good or bad.

•      In the passive role the robot feeds a gauging station with the part. While the gauging station is determining whether the part meets the specification, the robot waits for the process to finish.

•      Robot loading and unloading with automated test equipment:

–     The operation of this inspection method is almost similar to the machine tool loading and unloading functions. Robot loads several inspection devices like electrical, pneumatic, and mechanical gauges, and as well as functional testing devices.

–     At first, the robot unloads the finished work part from the machine and loads it into the inspection device for checking the accuracy. If the work part satisfies the specified conditions, then it will be sent to next process, the testing process. Otherwise, it will be rejected.

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