Industrial robots are commonly used in applications such as:
Assembly: Precise, repetitive tasks like screw-driving, fitting parts, and assembling components.
Welding: Automated welding processes for high-quality, consistent joints.
Painting: Robots with spray nozzles used for consistent and high-precision painting.
Material Handling: Loading and unloading of materials, parts transferring, and palletizing.
Packaging: Automating product packaging, such as placing items in boxes or pallets.
Inspection and Quality Control: Vision systems and sensors allow robots to inspect products for defects.

Robots enhance productivity by:
Increasing Speed: Robots can perform tasks faster than humans, reducing production cycles.
Improving Precision: Robots can execute tasks with high repeatability and precision, minimizing errors.
Operating 24/7: Robots can work around the clock, minimizing downtime.
Handling Dangerous Tasks: Robots can perform hazardous tasks, reducing the risk of injury and downtime.

Automotive: For welding, assembly, and painting tasks.
Electronics: For assembly of small components, such as mobile phones and circuit boards.
Pharmaceuticals: For filling, packaging, and inspecting drugs.
Food and Beverage: For packaging, sorting, and palletizing products.
Logistics: For material handling, sorting, and packaging in warehouses.
Aerospace: Used for precise component assembly and inspection.

Robots can be integrated into production lines by:
Connecting to PLCs: Robots can be connected to Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) for coordinated control within the automation system.
Using Vision Systems: Vision-guided robots allow for real-time adjustments based on product variability and quality checks.
Collaborating with Conveyors: Robots can work alongside conveyor systems to perform material loading, unloading, or assembly tasks.
Automation Software: Advanced software systems are used to program and manage robots in a flexible and efficient manner.

Yes, modern robots can perform a variety of tasks on the same production line. By changing the end effector (tool) or reprogramming the robot, it can switch between different functions such as picking, placing, packaging, and even inspecting products. Some robots are designed with modular features, allowing them to quickly adapt to different task requirements.

Robot programming involves instructing a robot on how to perform tasks. Common programming methods include:
- Hand-held teach pendant: Programming by manually guiding the robot's movements and setting its positions.
- Offline programming: Writing programs using simulation software without physically operating the robot.
- PLC or HMI programming: Writing robot control programs using programmable logic controllers (PLC) or human-machine interfaces (HMI).

High Initial Investment: The cost of purchasing and installing robots can be high, although it may be offset by increased productivity over time.
Integration Complexity: Integrating robots with existing systems or workflows may require customization.
Workforce Training: Ensuring that staff are properly trained to operate with robots and maintain the systems.

Tool Coordinate System (TCS) refers to the coordinate system associated with the robot's end effector (such as a gripper, welding torch, dispensing nozzle, etc.). Its purpose is to enable the robot to execute tasks based on the position and orientation of the tool's end.

In robotic control, the Tool Coordinate System is established relative to the robot's base coordinate system (also known as the base frame). It allows the robot to perform precise control based on the actual position of the tool during use.

Key Features:

1. Tool Center Point (TCP):
   - The origin of the tool coordinate system is typically set at the "center point" of the tool or the contact point of the end effector. This point is referred to as the Tool Center Point (TCP), and it serves as the reference point for all movements and controls.

2. Coordinate Axis Definitions:
   - Z-axis: The direction in which the tool end faces forward, typically the tool's working direction or the direction of the applied force. For example, in dispensing tasks, the Z-axis would point towards the nozzle of the dispensing tool.
   - X-axis: The X-axis is perpendicular to the Z-axis and is defined based on the application.
   - Y-axis: The Y-axis direction is automatically determined using the right-hand rule, perpendicular to both the X and Z axes, forming a three-dimensional coordinate system.

3. Tool Orientation:
   - Since the tool coordinate system is attached to the tool’s end, it changes with the orientation of the tool. The rotation of the tool end affects the X, Y, and Z axes of the tool coordinate system. In such cases, the robot must adjust its movements based on the position and direction of the tool coordinate system.

4. Applications:
   - The tool coordinate system is commonly used in precise industrial applications, especially in tasks requiring high accuracy. For example, in welding, dispensing, spray painting, or assembly tasks, the robot needs to be controlled based on the specific position and orientation of the tool’s end, where the tool coordinate system provides a very convenient control framework.

 Summary:
The Tool Coordinate System (TCS) provides robots with a coordinate reference system related to their end effectors. By using the tool coordinate system, robots can perform precise control based on the specific usage of the tool, ensuring efficient execution of tasks.

The User Coordinate System is a coordinate system defined by the user outside of the robot. For example, if there are two identical workstations, A and B, and we want to perform the same processing task on both workstations, we only need to set a user coordinate system on workstation A and then write the robot's operation program based on that coordinate system. At this point, all of the robot's movement positions are determined relative to this user coordinate system. Simply shifting the user coordinate system from workstation A to the same position on workstation B will allow the robot to automatically perform the same operations on workstation B.

Values of the User Coordinate System Axes:
All position values in the user coordinate system represent the offset from the user coordinate system's origin. When the user coordinate system is shifted or rotated, all the position points will also shift and rotate accordingly.

The origin of the user coordinate system is set by the user.

Common Functions of Industrial Vision Systems:

1. Defect Detection:  
   - Identifying flaws or defects in products, such as cracks, scratches, or dimensional abnormalities. This ensures product quality and consistency.

2. Object Recognition:  
   - Determining the type of a specific object or product, commonly used in sorting and classification applications. For instance, distinguishing between different parts in a production line for proper handling.

3. Measurement and Inspection:  
   - Measuring product dimensions, shapes, and other physical characteristics. Vision systems can provide highly accurate measurements for quality control and ensure parts meet specified tolerances.

4. Guidance and Positioning:  
   - Guiding robots or other automated equipment to move accurately around a product, often used in assembly or packaging tasks. The vision system helps the robot understand the position and orientation of objects to perform precise operations.

5. Process Control:  
   - Monitoring and adjusting the production process to ensure that products meet quality standards. This could involve checking if products are correctly assembled, verifying proper alignment, or detecting incorrect parts.

These functions are vital in modern automated manufacturing environments, helping to improve production efficiency, reduce human error, and maintain high-quality standards.

Industrial Vision System typically consists of the following key components:

 1. Camera
   - Responsible for capturing product image data. Common types of industrial cameras include high-speed cameras and high-resolution cameras, which are chosen based on specific application requirements.
   - The type, resolution, and frame rate of the camera directly affect the quality and speed of image acquisition.

 2. Lighting
   - Provides appropriate lighting to ensure that the captured images are clear and have high contrast. Common lighting methods include backlighting, diffuse lighting, and ring lighting.
   - Different lighting methods help highlight different features in the image, eliminate shadows or reflections, and improve visual recognition accuracy.

 3. Image Processing Unit
   - Responsible for analyzing, processing, and extracting useful information from the captured image.
   - The image processing unit can include image processing software or dedicated hardware accelerators (such as FPGA, GPU), used to execute image analysis tasks such as edge detection, feature matching, and defect detection.

 4. Image Processing Software
   - Controls the entire vision system and provides image processing and data analysis capabilities. The software can include various algorithms and tools to perform specific tasks, such as defect detection, size measurement, object recognition, etc.
   - Common software includes Matlab, Halcon, LabVIEW, etc., which provide a wide range of vision processing functionalities and can integrate with hardware to achieve real-time image analysis.

 5. Sensors
Sensors are typically used to acquire additional data, such as object distance, shape, or temperature. Common sensors include laser sensors, 3D sensors, depth sensors, etc. When used in conjunction with cameras, sensors provide more comprehensive information, helping the system more accurately analyze products.

 6. Communication Interfaces
Used to connect the vision system with other devices (such as robots, PLCs, industrial computers). Through communication interfaces, the vision system can transmit the processed results to the control system or other equipment. Common interface standards include Ethernet, RS-232, Modbus, etc.

 7. Control System (Controller)
   - The control system executes related actions based on the data collected and processed by the vision system, such as starting or stopping production lines, adjusting robot operations, or triggering alarms.
   - The control system is typically integrated and operated via a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or an industrial PC.

 8. Display & User Interface
   - Used to display images and processing results in real-time and provide an interface for users to interact with the system.
   - Users can configure, debug, and monitor the system's status through this interface.

 Summary:
An industrial vision system is a highly integrated system, including various components such as image acquisition, image processing, data transmission, and execution control. The selection and configuration of each component directly impact the performance and applicability of the vision system. Therefore, selecting the appropriate camera, lighting, software, and other hardware components is crucial to building an efficient and accurate industrial vision system.

Follow-up Dispensing (Vision + Robot Application) is an automated dispensing system that integrates vision systems with robotic technology. Its core objective is to use a vision system to track the position and orientation of a product in real time, allowing a robot to perform precise dispensing operations based on this information. Below is an overview of the system's basic working principle and application scenarios:

 Working Principle

1. Vision System Identification and Positioning:
   - The vision system (usually consisting of cameras and lighting) captures images of the product surface to identify the exact position and orientation of the workpiece. The camera can be mounted on the robot’s end-effector or in a fixed position to capture real-time images of the workpiece.
   - Through image processing software, the system can calculate the precise coordinates and deviations of the workpiece. The vision system continuously tracks any movement or shape changes of the product during the process.

2. Coordinate Transformation:
   - Once the vision system identifies the exact position of the workpiece, the image data is converted into coordinates relative to the robot's base.
   - The robot control system compensates and adjusts the robot's position based on the vision data, ensuring that the dispensing head is positioned accurately for dispensing.

3. Robot Execution of Dispensing Task:
   - Based on the coordinate information, the robot guides the dispensing nozzle or head to the designated location according to a predefined path.
   - The robot’s motion control system ensures high precision in dispensing and makes real-time adjustments as needed to prevent misalignment due to workpiece or environmental changes.

4. Real-time Feedback and Correction:
   -The system doesn’t just rely on one-time positioning. As the production process continues, the robot continuously receives feedback from the vision system, adjusting the dispensing action in real time. This allows the dispensing process to adapt to dynamic environments, such as minor placement deviations or shape variations of the workpieces.

 Application Scenarios

1. Precision Assembly and Dispensing:
   - In the electronics industry, especially during PCB assembly, robots can perform precise dispensing based on real-time feedback from the vision system. For example, dispensing for chip encapsulation, component bonding, etc.

2. Automotive Industry:
   - In automotive part assembly, follow-up dispensing systems can automatically perform precise dispensing for different-shaped and sized parts, ensuring sealing and coating quality for every part.

3. Medical Device Manufacturing:
   - In the production of medical devices, where precision and consistency are critical, the follow-up dispensing system ensures that the dispensing process meets high standards for each component.

4. 3C Product Manufacturing:
   - Follow-up dispensing is also applicable in the production of smartphones, computers, home appliances, and other 3C products. It is particularly useful for assembly tasks involving display screens, housings, and internal components, where precise dispensing is crucial.

 Advantages

1. High Precision:
   - The vision-guided system allows robots to perform dispensing actions with precise real-time coordinates, greatly enhancing accuracy, especially in complex and dynamic working environments.

2. Flexibility:
   - The placement of workpieces is no longer an issue. The robot can automatically adapt to changes in the workpiece, allowing for the handling of different production tables and environments without needing recalibration, thus increasing production efficiency.

3. Strong Adaptability:
   - As the vision system provides real-time feedback and correction, the follow-up dispensing system can adapt to workpieces of various shapes, sizes, and irregularities, improving the system's versatility.

4. High Automation:
   - The system reduces the need for human intervention, achieving efficient, continuous production, making it ideal for large-scale manufacturing and high-precision tasks.

 Summary
The follow-up dispensing system, by integrating vision and robotic technology, achieves real-time tracking and precise dispensing for dynamic workpieces, enhancing both the accuracy of the dispensing process and production efficiency. It is suitable for precision manufacturing and assembly lines across industries, particularly in cases where workpieces are irregular or subject to change. It demonstrates significant advantages in such applications.