MCDs "VTS 2030" standard test system was refined with a collaborative industrial robot (shortly called "cobot") for fully automatic function tests. Compared to its previous version, the VTS 2030 with a stationary robot application, the mobile cobot is perfectly applicable to manufacturing areas with limited space. Via an optical position detection by landmark scans, the cobot application of the automation company OMRON defines the positions of adaption and PCB magazine precisely. Thereby, the functionality of the whole test system is guaranteed in spite of position changes.
The automated removal of PCBS, the positioning of the DUTs into the test adapter as well as opening and closing of the adapter cover is managed via an adaptive gripping tool of the robot arm. The sorting of tested PCBs into the magazine is also automatically performed depending on the test result.
Besides the gripping tool, there is also an integrated camera. It is used for position detection, optical completeness, position and straightness checks as well as barcode detection. During DUT removal and sorting, the magazine is optically scanned to recognize empty spaces and actual removal positions. Empty slots are therefore excluded and measurement pace is optimized.
Basically, the test adaption is developed for optical and electrical PCB tests. But arbitrary test adaptions could also be easily integrated to the test system via a pylon interface at the adapter plate.
To guarantee the safety of the workers during work with the cobot, the test system is equipped with certified sensors. This serves as a kind of "protective shield" constructed around the system which separates the environment into safety zones. When these safety zones are violated, the cobot initially reduces the work speed and if critical comes to a complete halt. Once the security zone is clear, the cobot accelerates back to its predefined work speed.
The functions of the VTS 2030 with OMRON cobot and its test processes are presented in detail by the following video:
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For more information about the "VTS 2030" test system series and various practical examples, see the project site.
