Hi-tech vision smooths production process

Citation

(2002), "Hi-tech vision smooths production process", Sensor Review, Vol. 22 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2002.08722cab.011

Hi-tech vision smooths production process

Hi-tech vision smooths production process

Keyword: Machine vision

Tedious and potentially risky production line jobs could become a thing of the past thanks to new technology being promoted by the University of Edinburgh which automatically checks the quality of manufactured goods. University-based EPCC (Edinburgh Parallel Computing Centre) is targeting companies which could benefit from integrated machine vision technology (IMV) – systems that use computers to interpret digital images of products and production processes. IMV technology, which has already been piloted by many British firms, can spot defects by enabling a computer to compare what it actually sees on the production line with the specification it has been programmed to look for.

EPCC is now further encouraging the take-up of this technology with its dissemination project EXPANSIV. The technology, available to companies in Europe through the EC-funded EUTIST-IMV programme, has already worked successfully in sawmills and factories whose products include safety glass, paper, textiles and vehicles. EUTIST-IMV, which is being promoted by EPCC and partner institutions in Finland, Germany, Italy and Spain, is expected to be of particular benefit to small and medium-sized enterprises. Its promoters say that pilot projects have demonstrated the excellent cost-effectiveness of IMV, with firms able to expect a return on investment in less than a year.

A typical IMV system uses a camera to take photographic images of objects on a production line. A computer then processes the images, often by trying to recognize a pattern, or by making a measurement. Some systems can examine the internal structure of products by generating images using x-rays or magnetic resonance. IMV allows faster, more accurate and consistent quality inspection. and it can bring major savings by identifying defects on site. Crucially, its performance is unaffected by levels of temperature, noise or toxins which could prove harmful to workers carrying out manual inspections.

EPCC is a technology transfer centre based at the University of Edinburgh. It was set up in 1990 as a focus for the university's work in high performance computing during the previous decade. It is now the top centre in Europe for developing novel computing solutions and transferring them to business. EPCC works with a wide range of commercial companies, from SMEs to blue-chip multi-nationals. It is independent of any systems provider and offers consultancy and solutions based on advanced IT.

For further information contact: Diana Engesser, EXPANSIV Project Coordinator, EPCC. Tel: +44 (0)131 650 5077; E-mail: d.engesser@epcc.ed.ac.uk