The Canadian 3D scanning and inspection developer LMI Technologies is buying the US robotic guidance specialist Liberty Robotics for an undisclosed sum. Michigan-based Liberty (formerly known as Liberty Reach), develops 3D machine vision systems to guide robots in automotive, material-handling/packaging, and logistics applications.

The acquisition will allow LMI to use Liberty Robotics’ strong foothold in North America to expand its global footprint and accelerate its growth in Asia-Pacific and Europe.

“This acquisition marks a significant milestone in our strategic growth, expanding our solution-based capabilities in the automotive and packaging and logistics industries,” says LMI Technologies CEO, Mark Radford. “Liberty Robotics brings deep expertise in robot integration with large field-of-view snapshot scanning as well as powerful application-level software, including its industry-leading solutions for vision-based robotic guidance and mixed-case palletization that perfectly complement LMI’s advanced smart 3D sensor technology infrastructure and global market presence.”

Liberty Robotics’ VFix and VGuide systems allow precise end-of-arm robotic guidance for automotive applications such as parts handling and applying coatings and sealers. Its customers include BMW, Tesla, VW, Honda, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, and Stellantis.

Liberty has used its experience in the automotive industry to develop vision guidance systems for robotic applications in the materials-handling/packaging and logistics sectors. Its VPack and VPick systems support automated mono and mixed-case palletizing, depalletizing, decanting, and delayering for autonomous material handling in logistics centers.

They can handle mixed pallets of boxes that vary in size, color, and pattern. This will help to drive LMI’s growth in materials-handling applications.

Unlike contact-based measurements or 2D vision systems, Liberty’s non-contact technologies add 3D shape information for 100% quality control. It also offers AI-based systems that provide deep-learning-driven visual inspection for production processes.

“We see tremendous synergies between LMI and Liberty Robotics,” says Radford. “Liberty Robotics’ proven technologies and talented team will greatly enhance our ability to deliver integrated, high-value solutions to our customers worldwide. We aim to set new benchmarks in factory automation efficiency and innovation.”

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