Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. selected as vendor of choice by two major European automotive companies

Citation

(2004), "Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. selected as vendor of choice by two major European automotive companies", Sensor Review, Vol. 24 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2004.08724bab.002

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. selected as vendor of choice by two major European automotive companies

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. selected as vendor of choice by two major European automotive companies

Keywords: Machine vision, Auto ID, Automotive

Robotic Vision Systems, Inc. (RVSI) has said that it has been selected as vendor of choice for Data Matrix reading programs by two of the Europe's largest automotive companies. RVSI has received initial orders from these companies totaling approximately $350,000 for programs that, when fully implemented, will require Data Matrix reading equipment worth substantially in excess of $1 million.

The two companies are embarking on programs – planned and implemented independently – to use Data Matrix two- dimensional bar codes as a means of providing unit-level traceability for automotive power trains. The companies will stamp Data Matrix bar codes into engine components that will allow those components to be uniquely identified across the manufacturing process. RVSI's smart-camera-based readers will be used to read these Data Matrix marks on parts, providing a detailed manufacturing history of each part.

“Unit-level traceability is rapidly becoming an important key to improving quality and productivity,” said Ray England, Vice-President – Worldwide Sales and Marketing for RVSI Acuity CiMatrix. “Parts that are visually indistinguishable from one another can in fact vary from lot to lot and from part to part. Automotive companies are recognizing that serializing those parts can mean a rapid payback when one part is found to be defective. Serializing the parts allows the manufacturer to identify and examine other parts that share the same manufacturing heritage.”

Dr John Agapakis, Sr Vice-President – Products for RVSI Acuity CiMatrix, noted that, as the inventor of the Data Matrix code, RVSI's extensive experience with the technology has translated into a very robust solution for our users. “Reading a Data Matrix in an industrial environment – say, a dot-peened code on a curved surface under a layer of oil – is very different from reading a high-contrast Data Matrix printed label,” he said. “We have a lengthy head start on would-be competitors in imaging, decoding, and verifying directly marked Data Matrix codes and communicating the information to data bases.”

For further information, visit the Web site: www.rvsi.com