Vision systems are the eyes that help automation complete the manufacture of products in the most accurate way. Usually a vision system is made up of any one of various cameras or sensors that is connected to the controller of the manufacturing operations. Through the connection the vision system sends images or other feedback to the controller to continually let the "brain" know what is the current state of manufacturing operation at every moment. The controller can make a decision about a next step in the manufacturing process based on the images that it receives from one or more vision systems or sensors. Instructions that can come from the controller to the manufacturing devices as a result of images it receives can be anything from "continue on to the next step" to "totally shutdown manufacturing" and everything in between. Vision systems have become part of the safety process that keeps manufacturing running. It is important for devices to be stopped when parts are products are out-of-place or not available for other devices to process. In some cases if devices are not shut down when parts are not available, equipment could be damaged, bringing the entire manufacturing operation down for costly repairs.
Vision systems have moved from being devices that are nice to have in manufacturing to necessities for making manufacturing as efficient as possible. When these systems were first introduced for use in manufacturing the technology was adequate, but did not give vision devices all the abilities that they have today. The main purpose of vision systems are to examine the state of parts and products during the manufacturing process. This inspection is done to determine positions of pieces, accuracy of production, and availability of products. The accuracy of production relates to the inspection of products in the various phases of manufacturing. If a product has been partially assembled in such a way that the completion of its assembly would cause the manufacturing process to be put into jeopardy, the controller will likely shutdown the process. In some cases the controller will have the option to send an improperly assembled product off the production line so that a full shutdown is not necessary. Technology has brought forth the 3-D and high definition cameras that the work of any vision system very effective.
Another use of vision and sensor systems is in the determination the position of parts and partially assembled as they move down the production line. In some production scenarios parts move down a belt toward an assembly operation. The part are in random positions as they move along. In order for the next step in the manufacturing to be completed, a robotic device is required to pick up each part so that it can be joined with another part to continue the process. The vision system make the robotic aware of the position of each incoming part so that it can be picked up efficiently. Without the vision system in this case high-speed production would not be possible. It is also possible that the vision system in this case would act as a safety mechanism. It would alarm the controller if there were no parts available on the production line so that precautions could be taken.
Usually the setup of a vision system is not very complicated and the system can be used in production with very little training of personnel. The benefit of a well-coordinated vision system brings a great deal of utility to your production environment without very much expense and effort. In some cases such a system includes a controller for the vision, an operating system, an intelligent camera, and the applications software to run the camera, all bundled together as a single unit. Usually the operating system is Windows, which is well-known and easy to use. Often these types of systems are used in packaging functions like inspecting the inside of containers or reviewing the amount of contents in containers in a filling operation. Sometimes they are also used in label placement inspection or in the inspection of tamper-resistance seals on containers. Vision is effective in reviewing package and container integrity or inspecting for contaminants inside product containers. Package counting and the confirmation of product inserts are other applications.
Considerations for applying a vision application to your manufacturing should include such thoughts as the speed that your production line will require for reduced impact on overall line speed. You should review all the areas that will need vision in your manufacturing to make sure that adequate vision coverage is in place to get optimum return. Review the environmental requirements of a possible vision option o make sure your production will allow what the system needs to do the job as you expect it to be done. This would include temperature and lighting considerations.
Vision systems have moved from being devices that are nice to have in manufacturing to necessities for making manufacturing as efficient as possible. When these systems were first introduced for use in manufacturing the technology was adequate, but did not give vision devices all the abilities that they have today. The main purpose of vision systems are to examine the state of parts and products during the manufacturing process. This inspection is done to determine positions of pieces, accuracy of production, and availability of products. The accuracy of production relates to the inspection of products in the various phases of manufacturing. If a product has been partially assembled in such a way that the completion of its assembly would cause the manufacturing process to be put into jeopardy, the controller will likely shutdown the process. In some cases the controller will have the option to send an improperly assembled product off the production line so that a full shutdown is not necessary. Technology has brought forth the 3-D and high definition cameras that the work of any vision system very effective.
Another use of vision and sensor systems is in the determination the position of parts and partially assembled as they move down the production line. In some production scenarios parts move down a belt toward an assembly operation. The part are in random positions as they move along. In order for the next step in the manufacturing to be completed, a robotic device is required to pick up each part so that it can be joined with another part to continue the process. The vision system make the robotic aware of the position of each incoming part so that it can be picked up efficiently. Without the vision system in this case high-speed production would not be possible. It is also possible that the vision system in this case would act as a safety mechanism. It would alarm the controller if there were no parts available on the production line so that precautions could be taken.
Usually the setup of a vision system is not very complicated and the system can be used in production with very little training of personnel. The benefit of a well-coordinated vision system brings a great deal of utility to your production environment without very much expense and effort. In some cases such a system includes a controller for the vision, an operating system, an intelligent camera, and the applications software to run the camera, all bundled together as a single unit. Usually the operating system is Windows, which is well-known and easy to use. Often these types of systems are used in packaging functions like inspecting the inside of containers or reviewing the amount of contents in containers in a filling operation. Sometimes they are also used in label placement inspection or in the inspection of tamper-resistance seals on containers. Vision is effective in reviewing package and container integrity or inspecting for contaminants inside product containers. Package counting and the confirmation of product inserts are other applications.
Considerations for applying a vision application to your manufacturing should include such thoughts as the speed that your production line will require for reduced impact on overall line speed. You should review all the areas that will need vision in your manufacturing to make sure that adequate vision coverage is in place to get optimum return. Review the environmental requirements of a possible vision option o make sure your production will allow what the system needs to do the job as you expect it to be done. This would include temperature and lighting considerations.
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