Automation

Democratize industrial robotics

 Democratize industrial robotics

Visionic develops standard optical guidance and control solutions for complex industrial manufacturing processes. As an integrator, the company aims to continuously improve industrial performance. With its no-code software that allows non-experts to create, simulate and control a robotic cell in real time, Fuzzy Logic aims to democratize industrial robotics. Together, Fuzzy Logic and Visionic are eliminating the technological and financial barriers to robotizing applications that were previously either unknown or considered insurmountable, such as high-pressure cleaning and decontamination of engine parts in the aerospace industry.

Aviation is a demanding sector that requires extremely rigorous and standardized industrial processes. For example, machine engine parts must be made particle-free before assembly and are therefore subjected to meticulous cleaning at very high pressure. These noisy and laborious processes are currently performed manually. Operators are exposed to a high risk of MSDs (musculoskeletal disorders) due to the jetting at high water pressure of up to 60 bar and the dirt and noise generated in the process. Aerospace manufacturers and suppliers have difficulty finding workers for these jobs, which are also highly regulated and closely monitored by unions.

To make these jobs easier, manufacturers are looking to automate them. However, they face the complexity of robotization in doing so, due in particular to the variety and number of parts, the cost of paying skilled workers, and the lack of availability of robotic engineers.

To solve these specific and complex problems, Visionic has designed a robotic cell that includes a housing, a robot, high-pressure hydraulic circuits, a filtration system and a closed-loop particle recovery system. It is controlled using Fuzzy Studio. This software is unique in the market and allows robotization of these complex tasks without robot programming expertise and at a lower cost.

Automatic robot path generation without programming: A unique feature

Robot path generation requires long and complex programming by a robot engineer. Automation is even more complicated in applications such as high pressure cleaning of parts for the aerospace industry, where long parts with different geometries are manufactured. With Fuzzy Studio, these complex paths are automatically generated with a few clicks, using 3D information from objects placed in a virtual cell. An unlimited number of waypoints can be added to these paths. With this feature, the operator saves a lot of time and no longer needs the help of robotics experts.

Xavier Savin, CEO of Visionic: "The key element of Fuzzy Logic's software is its ability to generate automated trajectories, as well as its ease and speed of execution. In this complex application, it thus introduces a completely new paradigm, which represents a major change compared to traditional systems requiring a robotic engineer. Here, our customer benefits by transforming a tedious, high-risk job with no added value into a task for regular operators."

Ryan Lober, CEO of Fuzzy Logic, explains, "With Fuzzy Studio, validation of integration specifications is done in minutes instead of days or weeks, and at a lower cost. Cell sizing information is displayed to facilitate decision making before moving to real-time robot control with Fuzzy RTOS. Parameters can be changed quickly in the simulation. These advantages are unique in the market and allow a drastic reduction of the investment risks of a robot project. They offer the possibility for robotization where it seemed impossible before."

Xavier Savin adds, "Projects are underway for the reuse of this cell in the aerospace industry. We have set our sights even higher and would like to extend this solution to other industrial applications, such as welding or control. It can be applied anywhere complex robot paths need to be generated quickly." He concludes, "At Visionic, we believe that Fuzzy Logic's software is of interest to our customers as well as to our R&D. It gives us a significant technological advantage."

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