Today, the majority of robotic vision systems are either 2D or 2½ D. However, there is a paradigm shift occurring as the price/performance factor of 3D vision continues to improve. Thanks to improvements in 3D sensing technologies combined with intelligence, robots are now able to complete tasks with varied objects in random locations.
Universal Robotics, as a leader in automating spatial intelligence, offers free of charge 3D whitepapers, a 3D webinar, and a 3D calculator.
• 3D Whitepapers: Why 3D – key questions to ask in order to determine if your automation application requires 3D vision, and Creating a 3D Solution – explanation of four key elements of 3D solution.
• 3D Calculator: Use the industry’s first calculator for 3D robotic vision to to quickly determine what camera type and work cell positioning is necessary to solve your robot 3D vision application based on your specific inputs.
• 3D Webinar: Listen to the recorded webinar or download a copy of the slides of this educational webinar sponsored by Universal Robotics, the leader in sensor-based artificial intelligence control systems, and Yaskawa America, Inc. Motoman Robotics, the world’s leading industrial robot manufacturer
Your application may be a candidate for 3D if any of these apply:
1.) The object under consideration is not planar or flat 
• Bags, pliable objects, complex parts
2.) Inspection measurements are required on multiple planes of the object
• Complex machined or molded parts
• 3D gap inspection
3.) The object is unknown (i.e. not pre-measured, pre-programmed, or no bar code or label )
• Random box moving
• Real-time 3D part handling
4.) You can’t invest in tooling to fix the location of the parts
• Random box depalletization
5.) The orientation of the object varies and is not in a fixture or jig
• Random bin picking
6) The elevation of the object with respect to the robot varies randomly (not on conveyor)
• Trailer unloading
7.) Robotic accuracy is important for moving a robot to a spatial location that is constantly changing:
• Random part picking
8.) Dented, damaged, bulging, or worn objects still need to be handled by robot
• Pallet inspection and handling