The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Collaborative robot arm makes visual inspections in the blink of an eye

By Mary Gannon | January 20, 2017

Using a robot arm for lightbox visual inspections has simplified production for one visual inspection systems manufacturer. Highlighted at PackExpo last November, Universal Robots’ collaborative robot—or cobot— is automating parts inspection for one of its preferred system integrators, HNJ Solutions. Its Automated Cosmetic Inspection system integrates automated pick-and-place with quality inspection of high volume production.

Universal-Robots collaborative robot

At PackExpo, HNJ Solutions demonstrates how Universal Robots’ collaborative robot arm is used in Automated Cosmetic Inspection system during full six-sided inspection of electronic devices.

In this UR cobot design, the robot has a camera mounted on the end of arm but also presents the component to cameras in a lightbox, which reduces time for an operator who would normally do a manual inspection.

According to Greg McEntyre, President of HNJ Solutions, this particular Automated Cosmetic Inspection system provides full six-sided inspection of electronic devices.

“Normally, somebody’s having to manipulate this thing through structured lighting, and the instructions are at 18-24 inches, hold it this way at this angle to this light and if you see a problem, there’s a defect,” McEntyre said. “Well, to 10 different people that’s 10 different results, so what we’ve done is we’ve built an entire lightbox around the robot to homogenize the lighting and the positioning and now everything is handled by the robot. So within 30 seconds we can perform the same inspection with more consistent quality than a person can do in about a minute and a half.”

Universal Robots HNJ_parts_inspection

Another look at how Universal Robots’ cobots simplify and speed up inspections for HNJ Solutions.

In addition, this design helps with production because a manual inspection requires the operator to assemble a piece, inspect it, then move on to another piece. With this design, an operator can build the next piece while the robot inspects the first one. And because it’s a collaborative robot, it’s safe, McEntyre said. “This is a loading zone and if I get in the way of the robot, I am not going to get damaged by the robot, which is why I chose this particular system,” he said.

Having a built-in safety system that enables a robot to stop operating if it comes into contact with an employee has long been the defining feature of collaborative robots. Universal Robots has expanded the term “collaborative” to include user-friendliness, re-deployability and simple setup.

“In short we bring part of the quality lab to the production floor. Our Automated Cosmetic Inspection systems don’t blink, don’t have a sick day, and they provide companies with consistent results,” McEntyre, added. “The Universal Robot arms provide a means to keep the inspection flexible; customers can add new products to the system as needed and the arm can articulate through just about any product orientation requirement. The collaborative nature of the arm itself allows us to reach outside the machine environment and automatically handle components that are located near production line personnel.”

Whether it is adjusting to seasonal lines, or to variations in co-packing lines, employees can teach the robot new moves as production schedules change. Using the teach pendant and moving the robotic arm, human coworkers simply change the movements of the UR robot without having to code or reprogram.

“We see a collaborative robot as a tool on demand as needed – one that can quickly be changed between packaging tasks to streamline production planning. Flexibility in manufacturing involves the ability to deal with variation in volumes, design and material handling as well as variations in the process sequences,” said Douglas Peterson, General Manager of Universal Robots’ Americas Division.

Unlike investments in traditional robotic cells that are caged, pre-programmed and designed for a single purpose, the multi-purpose UR robot offers a lower threshold for investment and offers more possibilities over the life of the investment. The robot arms can be plugged directly into a wall outlet and are so easy to program and set up that the typical “out of box experience” is less than an hour.

Universal Robots
universal-robots.com

About The Author

Mary Gannon

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles Read More >

By integrating robotics, advanced motion control, and intelligent safety systems, this innovative solution delivered exceptional results for a time sensitive infrastructure project.
Welding project uses robotics to crunch 12 workhours into 45 minutes
A pallet-sized AMR in a warehouse.
OMRON gives insight into new dedicated robotics organization
NEXCOM is working with NVIDIA on AI robot safety.
NEXCOM NexCOBOT unit joins NVIDIA Halos AI Systems Inspection Lab
A person holding a Universal Robots tablet.
Universal Robots offers direct torque control for demanding cobot tasks

RBR50 Innovation Awards

“rr
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Robotics Professionals.
The Robot Report Listing Database

Latest Episode of The Robot Report Podcast

Automated Warehouse Research Reports

Sponsored Content

  • Sager Electronics and its partners, logos shown here, will exhibit at the 2025 Robotics Summit & Expo. Sager Electronics to exhibit at the Robotics Summit & Expo
  • The Shift in Robotics: How Visual Perception is Separating Winners from the Pack
  • An AutoStore automated storage and retrieval grid. Webinar to provide automated storage and retrieval adoption advice
  • Smaller, tougher devices for evolving demands
  • Modular motors and gearboxes make product development simple
The Robot Report
  • Automated Warehouse
  • RoboBusiness Event
  • Robotics Summit & Expo
  • About The Robot Report
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search The Robot Report

  • Home
  • News
  • Technologies
    • Batteries / Power Supplies
    • Cameras / Imaging / Vision
    • Controllers
    • End Effectors
    • Microprocessors / SoCs
    • Motion Control
    • Sensors
    • Soft Robotics
    • Software / Simulation
  • Development
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Human Robot Interaction / Haptics
    • Mobility / Navigation
    • Research
  • Robots
    • AGVs
    • AMRs
    • Consumer
    • Collaborative Robots
    • Drones
    • Humanoids
    • Industrial
    • Self-Driving Vehicles
    • Unmanned Maritime Systems
  • Business
    • Financial
      • Investments
      • Mergers & Acquisitions
      • Earnings
    • Markets
      • Agriculture
      • Healthcare
      • Logistics
      • Manufacturing
      • Mining
      • Security
    • RBR50
      • RBR50 Winners 2025
      • RBR50 Winners 2024
      • RBR50 Winners 2023
      • RBR50 Winners 2022
      • RBR50 Winners 2021
  • Resources
    • Automated Warehouse Research Reports
    • Digital Issues
    • eBooks
    • Publications
      • Automated Warehouse
      • Collaborative Robotics Trends
    • Search Robotics Database
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
  • Events
    • RoboBusiness
    • Robotics Summit & Expo
    • DeviceTalks
    • R&D 100
    • Robotics Weeks
  • Podcast
    • Episodes
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe