BitFlow Tech Used to Develop Robotic Inspection for Auto Parts Maker
December 16, 2019 | BitFlowEstimated reading time: 2 minutes
BitFlow has collaborated with engineering firm One Box Vision in developing an automated sheet inspection system for a leading automotive parts manufacturer. BitFlow Axion-CL 2xE frame grabbers are being deployed in the One Box Vision ASIX (Automated Sheet Inspection Expert) that incorporates an automated ink marking system for identifying rejects of printed graphics such as those used in dashboards or on automotive electronics, on sheet sizes up to 30” x 40”.
Prior to coming to One Box Vision, the manufacturer was facing several challenges. The volume for its high-end automotive parts was rising, while the availability of skilled operators was dropping, therefore making the consistency of inspection an issue. The goal was to design an automated cell that would accelerate the inspection and improve productivity while reducing returns.
To meet the manufacturer's needs, One Box Vision developed ASIX turnkey machine vision solution. It features a collaborative robotic arm for sheet handling and marking, multiple high resolution color cameras from Chromasens capable of scans at a resolution of 50um, a dual LED lighting system, and the BitFlow frame grabbers. With a cycle time of only 20 seconds per part, ASIX will scan sheets in both directions to allow for the illumination to be altered highlighting different features of the product under inspection.
Thanks to the BitFlow Axion-CL 2xE frame grabber, ASIX can deliver one Gigabit of acquired color images per second to the PC. Data from both scans is than analyzed by One Box Vision SheetFlow machine vision software in real time. If a defect is detected by the software it instructs the robotic arm to mark the part for removal. The robot has a vacuum to lift and move the sheets, a sensor to detect stack height, and an industrial marking system to spray defective parts.
In addition to the sheets it was originally develop to inspect, AXIS can handle other substrates from 15 microns to 1.55 millimeters in thickness, such the 100% inspection of plastic film, paper, foil and non-woven substrates.
"Building line scan applications always presents the challenge of knowing how to trigger, synchronize multiple cameras, and then stitch and blend the images," said Connor O'Neill, president of One Box Vision. "BitFlow Axion-CL 2xE frame grabbers have proven to be highly reliable for the task. The StreamSync Direct Memory Access (DMA) engine and buffer manager prevent overloading of the PC's CPU with image transfer operations, while the PCIe Gen 2 expansion bus delivers high-speed access to host memory. The Axion-CL 2xE has worked out very well in the ASIX and other demanding projects we've taken on."
For more information, visit www.bitflow.com.
Suggested Items
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: AI Implementation at Omron
04/18/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOEditor Nolan Johnson and Omron Product Manager Nick Fieldhouse discuss the company's focus on AI implementation to enhance customer experience and results. They address programming challenges and how AI can help customers achieve better outcomes with less experience. Omron's AI is compatible with existing systems, facilitating easy upgrades.
Cadence Unveils Palladium Z3 and Protium X3 Systems
04/18/2024 | Cadence Design SystemsThe Palladium Z3 and Protium X3 systems offer increased capacity, and scale from job sizes of 16 million gates up to 48 billion gates, so the largest SoCs can be tested as a whole rather than just partial models, ensuring proper functionality and performance.
Real Time with... IPC APEX EXPO 2024: MYCRONIC's Evolution and New Solutions
04/17/2024 | Real Time with...IPC APEX EXPOHenry Crandall interviews Kevin Clue, the vice president of global sales for MYCRONIC's High Flex division. They discuss the company's evolution, emphasizing its strong customer relationships and its role as a versatile, turnkey solution provider. Kevin unveils new solutions launched at IPC APEX EXPO, including an AI-integrated inspection system and the A40 pick-and-place platform. The conversation also touches on the increased use of AI and deep learning.
Australian Flow Batteries and The SCHMID Group Announce Groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding
04/17/2024 | SCHMID GroupAustralian Flow Batteries Pty Ltd (AFB), a leader in innovative energy solutions and economical, safe, and reliable power storage, and SCHMID Energy Systems GmbH a company of the German SCHMID Group, a global technology leader with a rich history in delivering innovative solutions across multiple industries including Electronics, Renewables, and Energy Storage sectors, are thrilled to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
Ansys Joins BAE Systems’ Mission Advantage Program to Advance Digital Engineering Across US Department of Defense
04/16/2024 | ANSYSAnsys announced it is working with BAE Systems, Inc., to accelerate the adoption of digital engineering and MBSE across the Department of Defense (DoD).