A camera photographs a part to be estimated, which is produced by cutting a sheet metal in advance, and a dimension reference marker. An image processing unit generates edge data by extracting an edge of the part photographed by the camera, and enlarges or reduces the edge data based on a size of the dimension reference marker photographed by the camera such that a size of the edge corresponds to an actual size of the part. A machining time calculation unit calculates a length of a cutting line for cutting out the part from the sheet metal based on the edge of the edge data corresponding to the actual size of the part, and calculates a machining time for producing the part by cutting the cutting line in accordance with a material and a thickness of the sheet metal.

Systems and methods for automated manufacture are provided. Nominal data measurements are obtained for an article. An identification scan is performed of parts within the work area by a machine vision system. An initial scan of the parts within or adjacent to the work area identified as being needed to form said article is performed by the machine vision system to identify target points. The target points are compared at a controller with the nominal data measurements. Automated material handling machines are commanded to grasp and move the parts within said work area to form the article.

A camera photographs a part to be estimated, which is produced by cutting a sheet metal in advance, and a dimension reference marker. An image processing unit generates edge data by extracting an edge of the part photographed by the camera, and enlarges or reduces the edge data based on a size of the dimension reference marker photographed by the camera such that a size of the edge corresponds to an actual size of the part. A machining time calculation unit calculates a length of a cutting line for cutting out the part from the sheet metal based on the edge of the edge data corresponding to the actual size of the part, and calculates a machining time for producing the part by cutting the cutting line in accordance with a material and a thickness of the sheet metal.