Inspection task

Packaging and logistics providers are embracing automation to help them reduce waste during product packaging. Shortly after the customer order is placed inside the box, the volume of empty space remaining in the package is helpful to determine how much box filler material to use. An excess amount may prevent the package from closing properly while not enough may lead the package to be damaged.

Solution Summary

In order to measure the volume of empty space left remaining in the box, a Gocator 2880 is used. This sensor helps us look inside taller boxes due to its dual sensor configuration. We connect the scan output to surface processing tools onboard the Gocator. 

Surface Bounding Box Advanced

The boxes passing under the sensor may be located at different locations on the conveyor belt. We use the Surface Bounding Box Advanced tool to detect the location of each box and anchor other tools against this.

Surface Edge

To help us make sure that our empty space measurement is accurate, we use the Surface Edge tool to detect the right side of the box.

We then use the same tool to detect the top edge of the box and generate two perpendicular lines that cross at the corner of the box.

Feature Intersect

This tool takes in the line coordinates from Surface Edge Right and Top and outputs an intersecting point that can be used for anchoring.

Surface Volume

The final step in this application is a simple volume measurement that uses the Feature intersect coordinates as an anchor point. This helps us generate an accurate measurement of the empty space inside the box independent of its location or orientation.

For a copy of this walkthrough for your desktop, you can download the Box Void Fill Measurement Walkthrough. This PDF contains more information on replicating the toolchain using the Gocator Desktop Emulator.