What are Feature Find and Feature Offset?

Pryor's integrated vision systems are able to use feature recognition software in order to automatically place a mark in the correct place on a component.

This resolves issues of having to precisely locate a component for marking. Either the component can be fed into the marking location without precise orientation, such as randomly placed on a conveyor. Or a stationary object can be located and marked using an automated marking system, such as a robotic system.

There are 2 types of vision system that can be used to automatically locate marks:

Feature offset

Looks at an image for a known pattern and returns co-ordinates that can be used by the marking head to adjust its position. This is how a robot is repositioned in order to mark on a particular location on a stationary object, such as vehicle, engine or gearbox.

The marking head is moved to the part in one movement as there are known X and Y co-ordinates for the found location.

The best option for moving x and y co-ordinates of the marking machine.

Feature find

Looks at an image for a known pattern. If it is not found, a selected axis on the marking machine is moved and the vision check is made again. For example, rotationally symettrical parts are rotated on a turntable to find a known mounting point on our standard multi-axis machines.

The marking head is moved into position by moving 1 axis only – typically a circumferential axis is rotated until the feature is found.

The best option for moving a circumferential axis on the marking machine.