Case Study · Apparel accessories

Zipper Insertion That Never Waits for Alignment — Left/Right Recognition Switches the Insertion Motion Automatically

An assembly automation for zippers — an apparel accessory — with no orientation alignment: RoboEye 2D vision recognizes both left- and right-facing parts, and a Hyundai Robotics 6-axis robot automatically selects the insertion motion that matches the orientation.

Zipper orientations recognized by vision (left and right): 2 orientations
Robot insertion motion by recognized orientation: Auto-selected
Parts fed in varied poses handled as they come Based on this case, configured to recognize both left and right orientations.: No alignment wait

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Zipper Insertion Automation | Hyundai Robotics + 2D Vision + Flexible Feeder

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What and how

Configuration of this case

Part: Zipper (apparel accessory)
Process: Flexible feeder → 2D vision orientation recognition and inspection → automatic robot motion selection → zipper insertion
Robot: Hyundai Robotics 6-axis
Feeder · Vision: AIVE flexible feeder + RoboEye 2D vision
Industry: Apparel accessories

Challenge

Waiting for the orientation to line up stretches the cycle

The insertion pose of a zipper depends on the direction it lies in. If vision recognizes only one orientation, the system has to wait until the part is aligned that way, or a separate orientation step has to be added. That waiting and extra step go straight into the cycle time, making it hard to satisfy high-speed assembly and high-mix production on the same equipment.

Solution

Recognize both left and right, and let the robot switch its insertion motion automatically

The AIVE flexible feeder supplies the zippers, and RoboEye 2D vision recognizes the part orientation as either left or right. According to the recognized orientation, the Hyundai Robotics 6-axis robot automatically selects a different insertion motion and fits the zipper. Instead of placing an orientation step in front, the problem was solved by reading the orientation and changing the robot’s motion.

AIVE flexible feeder — supplies zippers in a variety of poses.
2D vision orientation recognition — distinguishes both left and right rather than seeing only one orientation.
2D vision inspection — an inspection step follows orientation recognition.
Automatic robot motion selection — the robot picks the insertion motion that matches the recognized orientation.
Zipper insertion — assembly with the selected motion.

Results

No waiting for alignment — parts arriving in varied poses are inserted as they come

Both left and right orientations of the zipper were recognized — this is not a single-orientation configuration.
The robot automatically selected different insertion motions according to the recognized orientation.
Parts in varied poses were processed immediately, without waiting for orientation alignment.
Switching motions automatically reduced cycle time and kept assembly stable. The size of the reduction depends on the part and process configuration.
With zippers, an apparel accessory, as the target, this configuration suits assembly processes that need both high-mix production and high-speed automation.

Used in this case

FAQ

Frequently asked about this case

Can a robot assemble parts that have an orientation, like zippers?

This case is that configuration. RoboEye 2D vision recognizes both the left and right orientation of the zipper, and the Hyundai Robotics 6-axis robot automatically selects the insertion motion that matches the recognized orientation and inserts it.

If part orientations are mixed, do we need a separate alignment device?

In this case, the system does not wait for the orientation to line up one way. Because vision recognizes both left and right, parts fed in varied poses are handled as they come.

Do we have to create multiple robot motions for each orientation?

This case keeps insertion motions ready for the two orientations, left and right, and the robot automatically picks one based on the vision result. Operators do not switch programs for each orientation.

Can 2D vision and a flexible feeder be attached to a Hyundai Robotics robot?

This case combines RoboEye 2D vision and the AIVE flexible feeder with a Hyundai Robotics 6-axis robot. Feeding, recognition and insertion are tied into a single flow.

Are there cases for apparel accessories, not just electronic or automotive parts?

The part in this case is a zipper, an apparel accessory. What matters is not the part category but whether vision can read its orientation and pose, so recognition and insertion are verified with the actual part before finalizing.