THEILINGER Automation shortens automotive component cycle times with Cognex vision-guided multifeeder

Manufacturers producing high-volume small automotive components needed a way to shorten cycle times and reduce production costs. Manual feeding and inspection of small punched parts (such as flanges attaching exhaust manifolds to engine blocks) was slow and inconsistent. Parts needed quality checking, orientation and positioning confirmation, and detection of material residues in through-holes and bolt-fixing holes — all within a compact footprint and without a PLC.

THEILINGER built a multifeeder system integrating a delta robot, Cognex In-Sight high-resolution vision system, and a user-friendly interface, along with classic automation components (conveyor pusher, belt, and wheel). The Cognex In-Sight camera detects part position using infrared lighting and identifies each part's preferential position. The vision system maintains constant communication with the robot to reliably control the multi-feeder, and was configured in just a few minutes with a few clicks — eliminating the need for a separate PLC.

The system successfully shortened component production cycle times and reduced capital investment and maintenance costs by removing the PLC from the inspection process. Configuration time was dramatically reduced to just a few minutes. The integrated vision-guided multifeeder handled a wide variety of small automotive parts with quick, easy changeover.

• Eliminating the PLC from vision-guided automation reduces capital investment and simplifies maintenance
• Integrated vision systems enable configuration in minutes, enabling rapid changeover across part varieties
• Vision-guided delta robot systems can handle high-volume small component feeding, orientation, and quality inspection in a single compact cell