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Introduction...

Machine vision systems are a distinctive part of daily operations in many industries. The chief purposes of machine vision systems are automated inspection and measurement of items in a production environment. These systems are designed to emulate human vision and make decisions based on the data they collect. As a non-contact visual measuring system, the rapid and accurate measurement of objects is possible. The systems themselves can vary greatly as far as components but generally consist of an integrated camera, image capture, processing, storage, analysis and control scheme. Well-designed vision systems are able to work 24 hours a day and seven days a week, with very little need for service or other downtime.

Since there is a wide range of technologies used in machine vision systems, the way they work also varies depending on the type of technology. At the most basic level, a camera or other image-capturing device monitors, records and reacts to a preset template of conditions given via a computer program. When the items that pass before the capture device deviate from the template and the preset measurements are recognized, the system or user is notified of the discrepancy. This is a key quality control issue in machine vision systems. Other systems are mostly used for visualization and image capture, which records a two dimensional image of an item within itself for later three dimensional virtual compositing.

Because modern 3-D optical equipment is used in machine vision systems, industrial lighting, vibration and temperature changes do not affect the imaging and measuring processes. These systems can be a part of a larger centralized conveyor or automated process, or can be hand-held or separate, allowing for more mobile and individual applications, which are sometimes necessary in an initial research and design environment. Whether they are integrated into the manufacturing operation and used as in-process inspection systems or used as post-process inspection systems, vision systems aim to identify process problems quickly so that corrections can be made. The primary advantage of these systems is their consistency in performing the inspection task, whether that task is detecting flaws, counting/sorting, assembly verification or code/character reading.

For the most part, manufacturers and distributors of machine vision systems and related technologies are prepared to work with the customer to create the most accurate and efficient system for the customer’s needs. While most systems are custom designed, general vision equipment is also available, such as smart cameras, which can store and process images in a more mobile capacity. Vision-system technology is changing rapidly as this approach to inspection becomes more widely accepted in industrial applications. Some of the specific industries that have benefited from the use of these machine vision systems include the automotive, packaging, pharmaceutical, electrical components, foundries, textile, pulp and paper and computer industries. These systems also have the ability to record and measure many diverse products, such as bottles, circuits, o-rings, stencils, gaskets, needles and screws.

Machine vision systems are a distinctive part of daily operations in many industries. The chief purposes of machine vision systems are automated inspection and measurement of items in a production environment. These systems are designed to emulate human vision and make decisions based on the data they collect. As a non-contact visual measuring system, the rapid and accurate measurement of objects is possible. The systems themselves can vary greatly as far as components but generally consist of an integrated camera, image capture, processing, storage, analysis and control scheme. Well-designed vision systems are able to work 24 hours a day and seven days a week, with very little need for service or other downtime.

Since there is a wide range of technologies used in machine vision systems, the way they work also varies depending on the type of technology. At the most basic level, a camera or other image-capturing device monitors, records and reacts to a preset template of conditions given via a computer program. When the items that pass before the capture device deviate from the template and the preset measurements are recognized, the system or user is notified of the discrepancy. This is a key quality control issue in machine vision systems. Other systems are mostly used for visualization and image capture, which records a two dimensional image of an item within itself for later three dimensional virtual compositing.

Because modern 3-D optical equipment is used in machine vision systems, industrial lighting, vibration and temperature changes do not affect the imaging and measuring processes. These systems can be a part of a larger centralized conveyor or automated process, or can be hand-held or separate, allowing for more mobile and individual applications, which are sometimes necessary in an initial research and design environment. Whether they are integrated into the manufacturing operation and used as in-process inspection systems or used as post-process inspection systems, vision systems aim to identify process problems quickly so that corrections can be made. The primary advantage of these systems is their consistency in performing the inspection task, whether that task is detecting flaws, counting/sorting, assembly verification or code/character reading.

For the most part, manufacturers and distributors of machine vision systems and related technologies are prepared to work with the customer to create the most accurate and efficient system for the customer’s needs. While most systems are custom designed, general vision equipment is also available, such as smart cameras, which can store and process images in a more mobile capacity. Vision-system technology is changing rapidly as this approach to inspection becomes more widely accepted in industrial applications. Some of the specific industries that have benefited from the use of these machine vision systems include the automotive, packaging, pharmaceutical, electrical components, foundries, textile, pulp and paper and computer industries. These systems also have the ability to record and measure many diverse products, such as bottles, circuits, o-rings, stencils, gaskets, needles and screws.

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