Using vision inspection systems is not a new technology in the machining and manufacturing fields. Vision inspection systems allow manufacturing lines to move more quickly and without chance of human error, products are typically of higher quality. Cameras are used, aided by robotic arms or devices to help in the manufacturing processes in many environments. With the utilization of a vision machine inspection system, bottlenecks in production are a thing of the past.
The challenge comes when manufacturers are faced with having in increase speeds in the production environment while adhering to strict manufacturing specifications. The machine vision system needs to work in conjunction with other devices such as the operator who inputs the specifications to the computer system that tracks the items on the line, the sensors that are placed along the line and the speed of the conveyor belt on which they all move. A miscalculation at any part of the process could lead to products being improperly manufactured or ultimately be defective.
Engineers must also account for vibration and will program the information to account for vibration and latency which could impact the digital output by up to 20 nanoseconds – a long time in manufacturing line measurements.
Advances in cabling technology and complexity have helped eliminate many of the vibration and latency issues. Engineers know they must also account for any “lag time” in internet connections or Ethernet cable connections because the cameras need to not only follow the items down the line, but they need to be consistently online with the computer with which they’re communicating.
UKA Optics is a manufacturer of standard and custom lens assemblies for machine vision systems to help engineers develop the technology for production line scanning. Universe Optics also manufactures custom lenses for scanners, CCTV, CCD/CMOS, medical imaging, surveillance systems, and night vision systems.