Non-contact vision inspection needs no programming

Non-contact vision inspection and sorting system that offers precision shape, tolerance and orientation detection, requires no programming to apply.

Festo has launched a vision inspection and sorting system that offers precision shape, tolerance and orientation detection, yet requires no programming to apply.

Dubbed Compact Checkbox, the non-contact inspection system will reliably check component quality to facilitate automated picking, sorting and assembly processes.

Integrating an imaging system and ejection control logic in a compact module that is retrofitted easily to conveyors, bowl feeders or other automation, Compact Checkbox comes with powerful software that automatically learns the characteristics of different parts.

This approach offers an intrinsically simple-to-apply solution for increasing manufacturing quality and productivity.

"This product builds on a field-proven vision system that was developed initially for our own in-house needs, before being released commercially.

With this major iteration of the technology, we've managed to create a considerably smaller and lower cost product that opens up the power of automatic vision inspection to a much wider audience", says Festo product manager Bob Jackson.

Compact Checkbox integrates all the electronics, camera and a scanning laser illumination source in a compact enclosure measuring less than 6x15x37cm including connectors.

This small form-factor allows it to be mounted easily over virtually any production line or process.

The vision system offers an imaging resolution of up to 0.2mm, allowing it to identify minute discrepancies from a learnt ideal, along with tiny details such as the thread pitch of screws, angles, spaces, gaps and critical dimensions.

It can operate at conveyor speeds up to two metres/second, and check up to 100 parts/second.

Compact Checkbox will also operate three actuators as a result of a check, providing for example: eject wrong orientation, eject incorrect part, and pass signals.

A strength of Compact Checkbox lies in the suite of powerful software included with the system.

This toolsuite includes CheckKon - an image capture package that facilitates easy learning of objects, and offers product configuration facilities including utilities that link with an encoder to understand the motion profile of the conveyor.

A further package called CheckOpti is available for advanced recognition, and provides a powerful wizard-style facility offering two ways to optimise product recognition to determine correct orientation and up to eight incorrect orientations.

Three versions of Compact Checkbox are available, offering varying levels of capability with storage memory for between one and 16 component parts.

Prices range from GBP 2990 for a simple system, to GBP 4525 for one with an integrated PLC.

The new Festo vision system has already been field proven in Europe at two sites: with a power tool manufacturer where it is used for checking motor brushes, and at a medical manufacturing facility where it inspects the angles of screws.

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