Andrews Cooper (AC)'s Automation Roadmap is a path of strategic planning for successful automation development, seamless technology integration, and future-proofing for greater manufacturing performance and maximum ROI.

In this series, we highlight some of the key analyses and considerations that drive successful engineering design and implementation across a variety of automation solutions.

Our previous blog, Part 2— Improving Robotics Integration, described how to ensure the right selection of robot technologies starting in the early stages of a project’s development. Within this next blog, we will look at how to enhance machine vision within the automation roadmap.

Machine vision systems play a crucial role in vision-guided part handling and quality inspection manufacturing processes. An automation roadmap with a vision integration plan serves as a strategic guide for selecting the right technologies to ensure accurate manufacturing performance and quality inspection.

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Roadmapping for Vision Systems

Define Vision Requirements to Select Technologies

The automation roadmap includes a comprehensive definition of machine vision requirements through analyses like these:

• Define Precision Performance: Define how the vision system will deliver precision performance and integrate with other coordinated robotic and motion stages for the highest accuracy and speed.
• Assess Vision Technologies: Evaluate available vision technologies to select those that best meet the operational requirements and goals of the manufacturing process, such as image resolution, frame rates, and processing capabilities.
• Include Emerging Capabilities: Evaluate new technical capabilities to enhance the accuracy and speed of vision-guided material handling, part recognition, and quality inspection, such as Apera.AI's 4D vision technology , which blends machine vision AI and neural network part recognition.
• Future-Proof Systems: Consider future advancements in vision technologies to ensure that the integrated systems remain relevant and effective over time.

Optimize Vision Technologies & Performance

For part inspection and defect detection, optimal lighting and the right vision technology are crucial. The roadmap scopes vision system performance requirements through thorough analysis, including:

• Enhance Quality Inspection: Manufacturing accuracy is enhanced with vision inspection for metrology, component verification, and more.
• Design for Improved Lighting: Improve the detection of minute defects and unwanted deviations in quality with better lighting techniques such as backlit planes, illumination that minimizes shadows and glare, and part profiling lasers.

• Ensure Adaptability: Vision systems must be adaptable to different inspection scenarios, providing flexibility in quality control processes. Sourcing modular components allows quick reconfiguration to handle different inspection tasks with minimal downtime.
• Validate Performance: Conduct benchmark tests to compare vision technologies under different conditions, identifying the best-fit solutions for specific performance requirements.

MORE ON MACHINE VISION & PRECISION

Hear from AC Senior Applications Engineer, Jerry Entrikin, presenting on Advanced Vision Technologies from his 30 years of custom automation experience.

AC YouTube | Advance Vision Technologies

Collaborating with Andrews Cooper for Effective Roadmapping

In summary, AC prioritizes early engagement to understand your automation needs, operational goals, and manufacturing processes. Working closely with you throughout the development process enables us to develop a comprehensive and well-planned roadmap, leading to rapid, adaptive, and successful automation.

We tailor our recommendations to meet your specific manufacturing needs by assessing existing manufacturing and inspection processes. By targeting performance and areas of significant improvement, we create a roadmap for machine vision that delivers a well-coordinated and seamless integration into your manufacturing automation line.

More about advanced machine vision technologies

Ready to learn more about advanced vision? Here are some related posts on custom automation and vision and robotics integration: