HomeMediaSupplements Machine Vision and Smart Cameras: Powerful Tools for Machine Builders
Machine Vision and Smart Cameras: Powerful Tools for Machine Builders
From the March, 2008 Issue of Imaging Technology
Feb 20 2008
Page 2 of 3
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Building a Machine Vision System
While some machine builders may be completely comfortable with programming their machine vision applications, others simply don’t have the time or desire to learn a programming language just for the machine vision aspect of their applications. With vision hardware and software, there are options for setting up an inspection.
The first option is to configure the inspection using software such as NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (AI), a no-programming, menu-driven machine vision package. This application gives those with little or no machine vision experience the ability to configure an inspection in a number of days, not weeks. This software is shipped with each NI Smart Camera.
Machine vision software has become a powerful, easy-to-use piece of a machine builder’s toolbox.
The second option is to program the application using NI LabVIEW Real- Time and the NI Vision Development Module. This option is available for engineers who are familiar with the Lab- VIEW graphical programming language,or those who need more flexibility in a configurable environment.
Solution Applications
There are numerous applications where such a solution is optimal. A general application for machine builders is robot control. A common solution for pick-and-place applications is to have a proximity sensor fire when the desired object is in range and, as a result, the robot arm attempts to pick it up. This works well for a few applications, but some require more data than “Yes, an object is there,” or “No, an object isn’t there.” If, for example, one of the parts is rotated or skewed on the line at some point, the proximity sensor won’t detect it. The robot arm typically attempts to pick up a piece, expecting it to be in the same orientation as all of the previous pieces, often with subpar results. This can damage the product being picked up and the robot arm itself.
Smart cameras can be used in many manufacturing and packaging applications.
Designers add machine vision to many robotics applications as a form of guidance in place of simple proximity sensors. With a machine vision-based solution, the designer can send the robot arm the trigger to start the pick and place as well as the rotation and exact coordinates of the piece in question. This reduces missed parts, increases machine efficiency, and, in turn, saves the end user time, money, and headaches. Vision also reads 2D codes on parts to verify that the correct piece is picked up, and it ensures that nuts, bolts, and washers have been added correctly.
There are many other applications that are well-suited to having a machine vision system in place. These range from verifying labels on soda bottles to counting the number of pills that are poured into a bottle as it’s prepared for a pharmacy. Many no-contact measurements that need to be made can be performed with a machine vision system quite easily as well.
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