Robotic sorting of electronic-waste boards by visual grade
Electronic-waste boards are imaged under controlled lighting. Visible component density and board morphology become a grade; the robot transfers accepted boards to a recovery bin and uncertain examples to a review bin.
Visual grade, decision score, grip pose and target bin are sent to the PLC and robot. An uncertain board is routed to review; this concept does not estimate economic value or metal content.
- 01 Infeed
- 02 Trigger and acquire
- 03 Analyse
- 04 Class and position
- 05 Controlled sorting
The board advances to the imaging position.
- Accepted class
- —
- Decision score
- —
- Target output
- —
Scenes are illustrative simulations; they are not customer references or performance guarantees.
Need
Board component layouts, broken edges and arrival angles vary. A visual grade cannot substitute for direct chemical measurement of material composition or economic value.
Solution approach
An overhead camera, ring light and trigger sensor acquire a stable board image. The outer contour and visible component distribution are classified together. Pose is transformed to robot coordinates; an example with insufficient decision score is assigned to review.
Process steps
- 01
Infeed
The board advances to the imaging position.
- 02
Trigger and acquire
The photo-sensor triggers an overhead board-face image.
- 03
Analyse
Contour and component appearance contribute to a grade score.
- 04
Class and position
Grip point and target bin are assigned to the controller.
- 05
Controlled sorting
The robot lifts the board and lowers it into the selected bin.
Related applications
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