Teaching by example in food assembly by robot

Abstract

Sectors of the food processing industry have challenging requirements for automation: short batches, product innovation, variation in component shape, all with high production volume. Hard-programmed automation cannot provide the flexibility required. We report our initial work on an approach in which robot operations are derived from the sensed difference between a part-assembled product and a pre-sensed example of the result required. We describe a workcell with laser sensor and present results for experiments on simple assemblies of real sandwich and pizza components. The technique offers flexibility without reprogramming.