Choosing the Right Bin-Picking System for Your Industry

Bin-picking automation can save you time, cut errors, and speed up production. But finding the right system isn’t easy. Your parts, robots, and workflow all need to match. Traditional bin-picking struggles with random objects and fixed programming. That slows you down. A 3D vision-guided system solves this by recognizing and picking parts with precision. Whether you handle metal parts, boxes, or oddly shaped items, the right system makes a huge difference. 

In this article, you’ll learn what to look for, what challenges to avoid, and how to pick a system that fits your needs—and makes your job easier.

What is Bin-Picking?

Bin-picking, also known as random bin picking, robotic bin picking, or automated pick-and-place, is an automated process where robots, guided by advanced vision systems, identify and retrieve individual parts from containers where they are randomly placed. This technology enables robots to handle items in various orientations without the need for manual sorting.

How It Works:

A 3D vision system scans the container to detect the position and orientation of each part. The robot then calculates the optimal path to grasp and move the item, adjusting its movements to avoid collisions and ensure precision. This process allows for efficient handling of parts, even when they are overlapping or positioned unpredictably. 

Understanding Bin-Picking Systems:

Traditional Bin-Picking:

Traditional bin-picking relies on manual labor or basic automation. If you’ve ever seen a robotic arm struggle to grab a part out of position, you’ve seen this system’s limitations. These systems need parts to be precisely arranged, which adds extra work and slows down production. When parts shift, the robot mispicks, causing jams, downtime, and costly errors.

Think of it like a claw machine. When the prizes are neatly spread out, it works fine. But when they’re piled up, the claw grabs air or the wrong item. Traditional bin-picking struggles the same way—it can’t adapt to randomly placed or overlapping parts. In high-mix, high-volume production, this inefficiency creates bottlenecks and wastes labor.

3D Vision-Guided Bin-Picking:

3D vision-guided bin-picking eliminates these problems by giving robots “eyes” and intelligence. Using advanced cameras, sensors, and AI-powered software, these systems scan a bin, recognize parts, and determine the best way to pick them up. Even if the parts are piled up, tilted, or reflective, the system can adjust in real time to ensure a successful grasp.

Instead of relying on pre-programmed pick points, 3D vision systems dynamically calculate the position, orientation, and best gripping strategy for each part. This means your robot can handle a wide range of shapes and materials with minimal human intervention. Whether you’re dealing with small metal components, oddly shaped plastic parts, or heavy industrial pieces, a 3D vision-guided system ensures accuracy, reduces cycle time, and increases overall throughput.

In modern manufacturing, precision and speed are everything. If your current bin-picking setup struggles with mispicks, inefficiency, or downtime, upgrading to 3D vision-guided automation can transform your workflow.

Case Study: How SCAPE’s 3D Vision-Guided Bin-Picking Solution Transformed a Factory

Imagine running a busy factory where robots need to pick up hundreds—or even thousands—of parts every hour. Sounds great, right? But what if those parts aren’t neatly arranged? What if they’re jumbled up, randomly placed, or even overlapping? That’s exactly the challenge Broen Valve Technologies faced.

They manufacture industrial valves, and their production line needed a bin-picking system that could recognize, pick, and place parts with precision—without slowing down operations.

The Problem: A Messy Bin Means Slower Production

Broen’s biggest issue? Their parts weren’t always positioned the same way. Some were upside down, some were stacked, and some were tilted at odd angles. A traditional bin-picking system struggled to grab them correctly, leading to misplaced parts, production delays, and frustrated workers.

They needed a smarter system—one that could “see” each part, understand its position, and pick it up without hesitation.

The Solution: SCAPE’s 3D Vision-Guided Bin-Picking System

SCAPE’s bin-picking solution brought intelligence and speed to Broen’s production line:

✔ Advanced 3D Vision – The system scanned the bin, identified each part’s exact location, and figured out the best way to grab it.

✔ Smart Picking & Motion Planning – Instead of guessing, the robot calculated the most efficient way to pick and place each part. No jams, no hesitation.

✔ Seamless Integration – SCAPE’s system worked smoothly with Broen’s existing robots, so they didn’t have to change their entire setup.

The Result: Faster, More Reliable Production

With SCAPE’s technology, Broen’s robots picked and placed a new part every 8 seconds—without errors. That meant fewer delays, less downtime, and a more efficient production line.

Why Scape’s System Works So Well:

• Handles Randomly Oriented Parts – No need for perfectly arranged bins; the system adapts.
• Works with Any Robot Brand – No compatibility headaches.
• Easy Setup with CAD Models – Training new parts is quick and simple.
• 99.99% Reliability – Virtually no downtime or mispicks.
• All-in-One Solution – Scanning, picking, gripping, and placing—all in one system.

Scape’s technology didn’t just fix Broen’s problem—it transformed their production. The best part? This solution works in any industry where robots need to pick and place parts efficiently.

Want to see it in action? Watch the full case study video: Scape 3D Vision-Guided Bin-Picking Solution.

How Does 3D Vision Improve Robotic Picking?

Integrating 3D vision systems into your robotic picking processes offers significant advantages.

Precise Object Identification:

3D vision provides accurate spatial data, enabling robots to determine the exact position and orientation of items. This precision allows for reliable handling of objects, even when they are randomly placed or overlapping. 

Improved Efficiency:

By utilizing 3D vision, robots can adapt to variations in object placement without manual intervention, leading to faster cycle times and increased throughput. This adaptability is crucial in dynamic environments where product types and orientations frequently change. 

Incorporating 3D vision into your robotic systems not only enhances accuracy but also boosts overall operational efficiency.

How Can Robots Handle Items with Varying Shapes and Sizes?

Your robot needs to pick up objects of different shapes, sizes, and materials. Without the right technology, this can lead to mispicks, slowdowns, or even damaged parts. Advanced bin-picking systems solve this with smart gripping and vision technology.

Flexible Grippers for a Secure Hold:

Your robot’s gripper must match the object it’s handling. Vacuum grippers work well for smooth, flat items like glass or metal sheets. Finger grippers adjust to oddly shaped parts, ensuring a firm grip. Pneumatic grippers provide extra control for delicate or heavy objects.

3D Vision for Accurate Picking:

Your robot also needs to “see” what it’s grabbing. 3D vision systems scan bins in real-time, detecting the shape, position, and orientation of each item. Even if parts are randomly placed or overlapping, the system calculates the best way to pick them up).

By combining flexible gripping and smart vision, your robot can reliably handle different items, boosting efficiency and reducing errors in your workflow.

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bin-Picking System:

Not all bin-picking systems are the same. The right choice depends on your parts, production speed, and existing robots. If you pick the wrong system, you’ll run into mispicks, slow cycle times, and integration headaches. Let’s break down what you need to look for.

Object Types: Shape, Size, and Material Matter

Think about the parts you’re working with every day. Are they small screws or large metal castings? Are they lightweight plastic components or heavy steel parts? The bin-picking system you choose needs to handle these objects reliably.

Shape plays a huge role too. Simple, uniform parts are easy to pick. But what if your parts are oddly shaped, have holes, or vary in size? A basic system might struggle.

Then there’s the material. Shiny, reflective, or transparent surfaces can confuse some vision systems. If you’re dealing with polished metal or glass, you’ll need a high-quality 3D vision system that can handle it. Otherwise, your robot might misidentify parts or fail to pick them up entirely.

Cycle Time: How Fast Does Your Production Line Move?

Speed is everything in manufacturing. If your bin-picking system is too slow, it’ll hold up the entire line.

Most industrial bin-picking applications require a robot to complete a pick-and-place cycle in 5 to 15 seconds. If you’re working in high-volume production, even a one-second delay can cost you hours of lost productivity over time.

But speed isn’t everything. Accuracy matters too. A fast system that constantly drops or mispicks parts won’t help you. You need a solution that balances speed with reliability.

Robot Compatibility: Will It Work with Your Existing Setup?

Imagine buying a new bin-picking system only to find out it doesn’t work with your current robots. Now you’re stuck investing even more money in new hardware, rewiring your automation setup, and losing time on reprogramming.

To avoid this, check if the bin-picking system integrates with your existing robots. Some systems are brand-specific, while others are more flexible. If you’re using robots from companies like FANUC, ABB, or Universal Robots, look for a system that supports multiple brands. The more flexible the system, the easier it will be to upgrade or expand your automation in the future.

Common Challenges in Bin-Picking Systems:

Bin-picking automation can make your production line faster and more efficient, but it’s not always smooth sailing. Robots still struggle with certain challenges, and if you don’t plan for them, you might run into costly slowdowns. Here’s what you need to watch out for:

Object Recognition: Can the System “See” Your Parts Correctly?

Your bin-picking system relies on vision technology to recognize and locate parts. But what happens if it can’t accurately detect them?

Some objects are naturally harder to identify. Shiny or reflective parts can confuse vision systems, making it difficult to determine their position. Transparent items, like plastic components or glass, can be even trickier. If your system misidentifies a part, the robot may either miss it entirely or grab it incorrectly, leading to dropped items or jams.

Advanced 3D vision technology can help by creating precise depth maps, allowing the robot to “see” each item clearly, even in cluttered bins. But not all vision systems are created equal—if your setup struggles with object detection, expect mispicks, rework, and delays.

Inefficient Sorting: Are Your Parts Stuck in a Bottleneck?

Even if your robot can recognize parts, that doesn’t mean they’ll be picked efficiently. If your system isn’t optimized, it may struggle with certain layouts, causing delays in sorting.

For example, if parts are tangled, overlapping, or randomly arranged, a slow or outdated system might take too long to process each pick. This slows down the entire workflow. And in fast-moving industries, every extra second adds up—if your cycle time is just a few seconds too slow, you could be losing hours of productivity every day.

A well-designed bin-picking system should not only recognize objects but also plan the best way to pick and place them. Smart gripping strategies, AI-driven motion planning, and better end-effectors can help prevent sorting delays and keep things moving.

Why Automated Bin-Picking Can Improve Your Operations:

Automating your bin-picking process can bring significant advantages to your operations.

1. Boosted Productivity:

Implementing automated bin-picking systems significantly enhances your warehouse’s efficiency. For example, automated storage and retrieval systems boost order-picking and storage productivity by up to 85%. ^[1] This leads to faster processing times and allows you to handle more orders with the same resources.

2. Enhanced Safety:

Automation reduces the need for manual handling of items, thereby minimizing the risk of workplace injuries. By delegating repetitive and strenuous tasks to machines, you create a safer environment for your employees, reducing the likelihood of musculoskeletal disorders and other injuries.

3. Greater Flexibility:

Modern bin-picking systems handle a wide variety of parts, regardless of their shape, size, or material. This adaptability allows you to efficiently manage diverse product lines without the need for constant system reconfigurations.

By embracing automated bin-picking, you’re not only streamlining your operations but also fostering a safer and more adaptable workplace.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right bin-picking system involves careful consideration of your specific requirements, including object types, desired cycle times, and robot compatibility. Advanced solutions like SCAPE’s 3D vision-guided system offer significant advantages in efficiency, reliability, and flexibility, making them worthy of consideration for modern manufacturing operations.

 

References:

1. Material Handling Blog. (n.d.). Warehouse Automation Statistics. Retrieved on 5 February 2025, from https://blogs.material-handling.com/warehouse-automation-statistics/