Glossary#

Term	Definition
Accept Threshold	Minimum similarity threshold (score 0.0-1.0) for a detected object to be accepted by pattern matching. Typical values: 0.70–0.90.
Air-blow	Optional pneumatic module for separating components on the disc by jets of compressed air. Requires supply at 5-6 bar.
Artefact	Defect in the captured image caused by electromagnetic interference, wiring problems or sensor malfunction.
Camera Calibration	Real pixel/coordinate correlation via calibration target with known pattern. It calculates the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters of the camera.
Clearance	Analysis of the distribution of greyscales over a defined area. Used to detect presence/absence of objects (gripper control, clear area).
POE camera	Industrial camera powered and connected via a single Ethernet cable. Standard: IEEE 802.3af (15.4W) or 802.3at (30W).
CAPTURE	Software command to acquire reference images of the empty and full disk, necessary for automatic calculation of hopper thresholds.
COMPLEX / FLAT / CYLINDRICAL	Geometrical categories of components in the FlexiBowl® Wizard. FLAT: flat shapes (washers, gaskets). CYLINDRICAL: cylindrical shapes (pins, screws). COMPLEX: irregular or asymmetrical geometries.
Working Distance	Ideal distance between lens and disk surface. Typically 950-1000mm in standard configurations.
Optical Distortion	Geometrical distortion of the image due to the lens. Automatically compensated during camera calibration.
Exposure	Light-gathering time of the camera sensor. Measured in μs or ms; directly affects image quality in production.
Feature Threshold	Feature extraction threshold (borders, lines) during model training. Typical values: 0.3–0.8.
FlexiBowl®	Vibrating rotating disc feeding system for random positioning and orientation of components for robotic picking.
FlexiBowl® Wizard	Wizard for automatic calculation of optimal FlexiBowl® parameters based on component geometry and behaviour.
Flip	Pneumatic impulse under the disc to reposition the components. Configurable via Flip Count (number of pulses) and Flip Delay (interval in ms between pulses).
Grab Train Image	Software command to acquire the image to be used in the training of a new model.
Gripper Offset	Correction vector (ΔX, ΔY, ΔRZ) that compensates for the offset between the optical centre of the vision system and the gripper TCP.
Hotspot	Zone of direct light reflection in the image. It appears as an overexposed area and may impair identification.
Lens	Optical component of the camera. It must be screwed until metal-to-metal contact; the focal length (e.g. 16mm, 25mm) determines the field of view at the working distance.
Model	Geometric template of the component created during the training phase. Each recipe supports up to 8 models per FlexiBowl®.
Model Origin	Reference point on the component used as the centre of the coordinate system to calculate positions. It typically corresponds to the pick TCP.
Orthogonality	Perpendicularity of the camera with respect to the disc (tolerance ±1°). Verifiable with precision level.
Pattern Matching	Algorithm that locates the components in the image by comparing them with the reference model recorded during training.
Protocol	Communication format between VisionController and robot. It defines message structure, coordinate order and units of measurement.
Recipe	XML file containing all system configuration parameters: models, thresholds, calibrations, FlexiBowl® and robot setup.
Region Search	Rectangular area in the image within which the pattern matching performs the search. It reduces processing time and increases accuracy.
ROI (Region of Interest)	Rectangular area delimiting the component in the image during model training.
RZ / Rotation Z	Angle of rotation around the Z axis communicated to the robot for component orientation. Expressed in degrees (0-360°).
Score	Similarity index (0.0-1.0) between the model and the detected object. It determines the trustworthiness of identification.
Gripper Footprint Simulators	Physical objects placed around the component during training to exclude from the model the areas engaged by the gripper during picking.
Steps	Number of movements of the FlexiBowl® required for components to reach the hopper unloading area from the vision area.
Subnet	Subnet that FlexiBowl® and VisionController must share (e.g. 192.168.1.x) for TCP/IP communication.
Synchronize Parameters	Software command that transfers parameters to the FlexiBowl®. Mandatory after each change to make the settings effective.
Timeout	Maximum time to wait for a communication reply. An error is triggered when it is exceeded.
Tilt	Inclination of the camera with respect to the horizontal plane. Allowed value: 0° ± 1°.
Toplight	LED illuminator positioned above the disc for even illumination from above. Power supply: 24V DC.
Training	Process of creating the identification model by selecting the distinctive features of the component from a reference image.
Trigger	Image capture start signal. It can be software-related (timed) or hardware-related (external electrical signal).
Vision Result	Output of the vision system: coordinates (X, Y, RZ) and score of the detected component, transmitted to the robot for picking.
VisionController	Industrial computer that runs FlexiVision One, manages cameras, processes images and communicates with FlexiBowl® and robots.