2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Educational Automated Manufacturing Cobot Work Cell in Conjunction with Machine Vision

Presented at Manufacturing Division (MFG) Technical Session 6

This paper presents the design, construction, and programming of an automated collaborative robot (cobot) work cell in conjunction with machine vision, specifically tailored for educational purposes within STEM fields. The work cell integrates various manufacturing machinery on an educational level into a cohesive learning module, providing students with a practical understanding of the operations involved in a modern manufacturing work environment. The primary objective is to offer engineering students direct exposure to integrated equipment functionalities, including a conveyor belt for part transport, a machine vision system with a photoelectric sensor array for part detection and quality assurance, a 6-degree-of-freedom cobot, and a 3D printer, which is replaceable to facilitate easy transitions between different technologies. Additionally, the project is designed to be adaptable, accommodating ongoing technological advancements and thus expanding the range of topics and experiences available to students. This setup serves as a versatile educational tool, enhancing the learning experience by bridging theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice in manufacturing processes.

Authors
  1. Dr. Richard Y Chiou Drexel University [biography]
  2. Prof. Tzu-liang Bill Tseng University of Texas at El Paso [biography]
  3. Dr. Yalcin Ertekin Drexel University [biography]
Download paper (1.63 MB)

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