Global provider of 3D scanning and inspection solutions, LMI Technologies has acquired Liberty Robotics, manufacturer of 3D machine vision solutions used for robotic guidance.
Operating in the automotive and the material handling, packaging and logistics industries, Liberty Robotics has established itself as a trusted name in the automotive and automation sectors.
The 3D machine vision solutions provider’s VFix and VGuide systems, for example, enable precise end-of-arm robotic guidance for part handling, coating and sealing applications, and position Liberty Robotics’ systems inside the facilities of many of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers.
Meanwhile, this experience in the automotive sector has been key to developing robotic vision guidance systems for material handling, packaging and logistics applications as well, with the company’s VPack and VPick solutions allowing automated mono and mixed-case palletising, depalletising, decanting and delayering, combining to enable fully autonomous material handling.
LMI Technologies
Coming after LMI’s previous acquisitions of GFMesstechnik – supplier of 3D metrology products – and 3D3 Solutions – supplier of 3D scanning software – this recent acquisition extends LMI’s ability to advance automation with 3D sensor, and now vision, technologies. The resulting non-contact inspection solutions add 3D shape information, achieving 100% quality control.
“We are thrilled to welcome Liberty Robotics into the LMI family,” said Mark Radford, CEO of LMI Technologies. “This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our strategic growth, expanding our solution-based capabilities in the automotive and packaging and logistics industries.”
Robot guidance integration
“Liberty Robotics brings deep expertise in robot integration [to LMI],” said Radford, “with large field-of-view snapshot scanning as well as a powerful application-level software, including solutions for vision-based robotic guidance and mixed-case palletisation that complement LMI’s advanced smart 3D sensor technology infrastructure.”
A stronger presence and wider reach
Allowing LMI to both strengthen its presence in the North American market and expand its global reach, Liberty Robotics mixed-pallet handling solutions is expected to drive rapid business growth, given the high demand for automation in the sector. “We see tremendous synergies between LMI and Liberty Robotics,” said Radford. “Liberty Robotics’ proven technologies and talented team will greatly enhance our ability to deliver integrated, high-value solutions to our customers worldwide.”
