Product category:
Imaging/Image processing software/VR
News Release from: Matrox Imaging | Subject: Matrox Imaging Library software kit at IMS
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 January 2008
Imaging software inspects micro products
A multi-purpose, modular system for the supply and recognition, inspection, handling, and placing of micro-assembly parts uses software for product recognition and inspection tasks.
Very small, almost weightless components in the micro-assembly and testing industry are difficult to handle They are also very sensitive to electrostatic charge
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 18 Jul 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Inspecting and sorting these parts for assembly is equally difficult.
Traditionally, an operator places parts into a vibratory ridged bowl feeder.
When the bowl is switched on, the parts jiggle and separate themselves on the ridges.
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The problem is that micro-assembly components tend to stick together or have too little mass to be transported by vibration.
Other alternatives, like robotics systems or manual supply, often lack either speed or accuracy.
Micro-assembly required a system that combines the functions of feeding, orientation and inspection of parts.
IMS (Almelo, The Netherlands) specialty is in micro-assembly and testing.
The company looked for a system for feeding and inspecting micro-parts.
Together with the University of Twente (Enschede, The Netherlands) and Bosch Rexroth (Lorh am Main, Germany), IMS developed its Vision Inspection Feeding System (VIFS).
* VIFS system - IMS marketing manager, Jasper Kerkwijk, described the VIFS as a multi-purpose, modular system for the supply and recognition, inspection, handling, and placing of parts.
VIFS is based on a standard frame and equipment control system called ProMicro, also by IMS.
Bosch Rexroth supplied most of the other hardware components such as the linear motors, motion controllers, and vacuum components.
For recognition and inspection, VIFS uses two cameras: a Basler for recognition, and a Thales Optem for inspection.
The Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) software development kit performs all the product recognition and inspection tasks.
To use the system, a technician calibrates the VIFS with a part that is within tolerance to create what's known as the 'Golden Template'.
Then the camera takes pictures of the parts on the inspection stage.
Finally, specific processing modules in MIL analyse the parts.
First the Geometric Model Finder (GMF) module locates the parts in the image, so the Metrology module can measure the features of each part.
The results, both good and bad parts, are displayed on the monitor.
Parts that pass inspection can be used for assembly; parts that cannot be recognized are most likely lying on their sides or too close to another part, so they are re-fed into the system by the vibratory tray.
If the inspection shows a part to be out of tolerance, the system tags it; if the system is feeding parts for assembly, the non-conforming parts will be kept out of the assembly step.
The system can also be programmed to find surface defects.
The VIFS needs a high-level software tool for complex vision recognition and inspection functions.
"The Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) is ideal for us," said Kerkwijk, "Because it has all the functionality we require.
MIL offers many possibilities for these types of measurements." The Metrology module figures prominently in the system, and is used for finding dimensions and checking tolerances, complex operations that are processing-intensive.
With the appropriate optical system the measurement results are accurate to +/-0.01mm.
Lighting for machine vision - Kerkwijk said that lighting was a great challenge.
Without appropriate lighting, the cameras is unable to produce usable images.
The VIFS features a dome with blue light above the tray where the products are fed to the system.
The inspection of the parts' dimensions, the fundamental task of the system, is backlit.
"The right combination of illumination and zoom lenses gives us the accuracy we need for such tiny parts," added Kerkwijk.
Like most assembly applications time is important, and all the visual inspections and data processing has to be completed within the allowed cycle time, typically 1 to 5s, depending on the complexity of the inspection operation.
Kerkwijk noted that the support they received from both Matrox Imaging and DVC, their local Matrox Imaging distributor, were instrumental in reaching their targets.
* From prototype top production - IMS built two prototypes in 2004 and 2005.
The first industrialised version of the system was delivered in January 2007; a second was delivered in Q3 2007.
IMS wanted to make VIFS a standard product for the micro-assembly industry.
Market introduction was made at the Hannover Messe 2007.
In order for IMS to achieve their future goals, they must work with well-established, reliable suppliers like Matrox Imaging, said Kerkwijk, He believed IMS has an edge on the competition.
"Most feeder systems can't offer the combination of accuracy, speed and flexibility that the VIFS has," he explained.
"Substitutes like bowl feeders are not flexible and reliable enough to meet the challenges of micro assembly." What's more, the modular build-up in functionality of the VIFS means the system can be customized for their customers with little effort. Request a free brochure from Matrox Imaging ...
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