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August 2009 Sensors & Transducers

Machine vision in the market.

Manufacturers are under increasing pressure to keep input costs to a minimum and ensure that there are no recalls or rejections from key customers, particularly in low margin, high accuracy sectors such as the food industry.

This is resulting in two specific applications for machine vision systems. The first is related to process inspection where specialised cameras inspect products in process to ensure that faulty products are removed from production before too much extra process value is added. This applies particularly in high throughput and automated processes where many hundreds or thousands of items can be manufactured incorrectly, the fault only being discovered too late.

The second is in final product inspection. Many of the production organisations in South Africa are labour intensive; sporadic faults occur due to the repetitive nature of the work and the inevitable slips in human operations. Final inspection is crucial here to ensure that product is correctly produced and, that accurate, provable, well-documented inspection has occurred before dispatch. This is invaluable in successfully resolving customer complaints that may run into the millions.

With these needs in mind Cognex has cameras and vision software to suit all needs. These range from highly sophisticated, intelligent vision sensors down to simple and affordable go/no-go gauge replacement systems. The high end can be configured to measure tolerances at micron level or check patterns, guide robots, distinguish colours and any other imaginable requirement. At the lower end, the newly released Cognex 3G Checker can check sizes and presence of items. For example, the expiry date on bottles and boxes can be checked as can label orientation and position of parts. Also, flange sizes can be measured and the relative position – one part to another – inspected. The range of applications is limited only by imagination. The unit has a small form factor and is placed into a production line just like any other sensor, but makes use of the vast power of vision analysis. This cost effective sensor is capable of inspecting some 6000 parts per minute.

For more information contact Brian Walker, Westplex, +27 (0)11 787 0473, [email protected], www.westplex.co.za

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