Hardware
Check Included Items
Depending on your specific purchase order, the following items are included for the Part Feeding option. As soon as the package arrives, please check that all items are included. Also, check to make sure there is no damage to the items.
- Part Feeding license document (There are cases in which it may be shipped separately.)
- Feeder with embedded Backlight
- Platform
- Power cable for the feeder
- Ethernet cable
Optional items are as follows:
- Hopper
- Hopper controller (for Gen.1 hopper only)
- Hopper attached cable
- Others Optional items
System Configuration
Configuration Example
The illustration below shows the system configuration using the Part Feeding option.
Feeder IF-80 has built-in hopper.
Up to four feeders can be connected to one controller. For T/VT series, up to two feeders can be controlled at the same time.
In the case of multi-part operation, up to two manipulators can be installed per feeder.
Ethernet should be connected using Ethernet hub. Use the following vision system.
Compact Vision CV2 Series | CV2-HA/ SA (Firmware Ver.3.0.0.0 or later) |
| CV2-HB/SB/LB (Firmware Ver.3.2.0.0 or later) | |
| PC Vision PV1 | |
CV1 or CV2-S/H/L is not supported.
Vision systems of other manufacturers are not supported.
Considerations for Configuration Selection
- Available manipulators for the Part Feeding option are SCARA and 6-axis robot series. This option does not support PG and X5 series robots.
- When using PV (PC Vision), make sure not to perform the feeder’s communication and the camera’s communication by the same network port. If the feeder’s communication and the camera’s communication are performed simultaneously, it may affect imaging or feeder operations. We recommend adding the network card to PC or using the network card with multi-port and connect the camera and the network port directly.
- No error occurs even if you connect more than one robot controller to a feeder. However, pay attention to IP address assignment and be careful not to connect more than one robot controller to a feeder when you set the network.
- Up to two hoppers can be installed in one feeder.
- It is possible to display CAD data of the feeder or hopper in the Simulator. The CAD files are in the following folder.
C:\EpsonRC80\Simulator\CAD\PartFeeder
Camera Lens Selection
Select a lens and an extension tube based on the field of view and working distance using the Camera Lens Tool.
You can start the Camera Lens Tool from Epson RC+ 8.0 Menu - [Setup] - [System Configuration] - [Vision] - [Cameras] - [Camera Lens Tool].
Refer to the following section for further details.
"Vision Guide 8.0 Hardware & Setup - Setup - Camera Lens Tool"
Installation and Adjustment
Manipulator and Controller
For installation of manipulator, refer to each manipulator’s manual. Install the manipulator properly according to Robot System Safety manual.
Please make or prepare a robot hand (gripper). For installation of the controller, refer to the controller manual.
Camera and Lens
Install the downward facing camera so that it can display the entire feeder platform.
A fixed camera pointed downward is recommended. Support for a mobile camera is also provided.
| Symbol | Items |
|---|---|
| a | Camera (Fixed downward) |
| b | Position to place |
| c | Platform |
| d | Feeder |
The feeder’s longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction of the camera’s field of view (green squares below) need to be matched. Otherwise, the Part Feeding system will not work properly. You can set the feeder regardless of its direction.
Correct
Wrong
When using a mobile camera, teach (create a point data) a position where the feeder’s longitudinal direction and the horizontal direction of the camera’s field of view match as shown above. Then, set it as the imaging position.
Adjust focus and aperture of the camera lens so that the camera can recognize the part clearly and the brightness of the platform will be uniform when taking the part image.
