Cognex joined the Osaro Partners Alliance, an ecosystem aimed at collaboration to benefit customers.
By integrating Cognex DataMan fixed-mount, image-based barcode readers into its Robotic Bagging System, Osaro provided new technology to Zenni Optical.
“At Osaro, we’re always looking for the best technologies and vendors to incorporate into our strategic partnership ecosystem. Cognex is now part of that partnership strategy,” said Gemma Ross, Osaro vice president of operations.
The Osaro Partners Alliance offers one-stop access for businesses looking to deploy robotics in their fulfillment operations. It provides a mechanism for autonomous-mobile-robot (AMR) and automated-storage-and-retrieval-system (ASRS) suppliers, integrators, distributors, third-party logistics companies and consultants to collaborate and co-market unified equipment. The program is designed to optimize every stage of a customer’s purchasing and deployment processes through collaboration with Osaro's partners.
The Osaro partners program is designed to foster a community where participants can share knowledge, resources and expertise to support their mutual clients as they evolve their supply-chain capabilities.
Members of the Alliance can use Osaro’s pick-and-place vision software to create new opportunities, build new revenue streams together and expand the range of available technology.
The recent deployment at Zenni in Novato, California, included Cognex’s DataMan barcode readers in Osaro’s system, which comprises a Fanuc M-10 Series robot arm powered by Osaro SightWorks vision and control system for robots, a Pregis Sharp automated bagging machine, Cognex readers and Framos cameras to guide the robot. NPSG Global constructed the physical infrastructure in collaboration with Osaro’s technical team.
"Osaro worked side by side with us to ensure knowledge transfer,” explained Blyn Prokopowich, shipping supervisor at Zenni Optical. “They actively responded to all our questions and requests. I've seen my team change, and they are very, very excited about this challenge. Learning new skills is good instead of doing repetitive motions every day. The skills give them confidence."
Zenni’s signature translucent blue eyeglass cases had stymied scanners that were unable to read barcodes through the plastic cases. Osaro selected Cognex DataMan readers, which achieved 99% accuracy and read rates, while increasing throughput by 80%.
Lighting plays an important role in barcode reading and helps to increase read rates. Cognex’s high-intensity LED lighting, a high-powered integrated torch (HPIT), was instrumental in the ability to read barcodes through Zenni’s eyewear cases. Each Osaro robotic system can pick, scan, bag and label up to 410 eyeglasses per hour.
“We are excited to be working with Cognex and to draw on their experts with deep domain experience in the successful deployment of barcode readers in challenging e-commerce and logistics applications,” explained Ross.
“Cognex is proud to partner with Osaro to solve the most difficult barcode-reading challenges on behalf of its customer, Zenni,” said Ben Carey, director of logistics product management at Cognex. “Our DataMan barcode-reading solutions can read barcodes in challenging conditions, ensuring that customers can maintain an efficient and accurate robotic pick-and-place process and deliver customer orders on time.”
