Advanced Technologies Streamline Video Inspection Processes
AI is increasingly being integrated into vision inspection systems to enhance their capabilities.
Posted: April 22, 2024
Automated measurement functions perform complex inspections of both small and large components faster — even while in motion — with greater precision and accuracy.
Metrology Partnership Brings Optical Gauging Products to Manufacturers
AIMS Metrology (Miamisburg, OH) has partnered with OGP, a division of QVI. The 5-axis coordinate measuring machine OEM is a single source provider that builds and assembles machines in the United States. The affiliation with OGP allows AIMS to provide multisensor measurement with optical gauging products including Smartscope E-Series.
“Manufacturers are being challenged to inspect parts where a vision system is the appropriate choice,” said Mark Gearding, vice-president and co-owner of AIMS Metrology. “OGP has more than 75 years of technical innovation behind its non-contact and multisensory dimensional metrology technology. The company also manufactures its products in the United States. Partnering with OGP was a good fit for us.”
In addition to its Revolution Series Summit 10.10.10, LM and HB 5-axis CMMS, AIMS now adds OGP products that include its patented c-vision. The video contour projectors combine video speed and accuracy with the capacity of an optical comparator for 2D measurement. OGP’s TurnCheck systems measure shafts and other cylindrical parts with precision optical instruments. The line also provides high-speed 3D inspection systems that integrate a combination of sensors into one measurement platform.
The optical gauging product line can measure and inspect smaller parts with high precision features as well as bigger components with a large platform multisensory system.
New Plug-ins That Leverage GPUDirect Technology
Kitov has released version 2.7 of its visual inspection software suite.
Emergent Vision Technologies (Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada), a pioneer in high-speed GigE Vision cameras and zero-copy and zero-loss vision technologies, introduces new plug-ins that leverage GPUDirect technology, which supports Emergent’s renowned zero-copy, zero-loss imaging approach. The new built-in plug-ins include polarization, H.265/RTMP (real-time messaging protocol), pattern matching and inference.
Supported by eCapture Pro software, GPUDirect technology enables the transfer of images from the camera directly to the GPU, which bypasses system memory and the CPU, delivering zero-copy and zero-loss imaging capabilities. In addition, Emergent offers optimal flexibility in camera stream routing to any GPU in a system, which simplifies processing distribution. Supported GPUs include NVIDIA RTX A6000, RTX A5000, RTX A4000, RTX 6000 ADA, Jetson Orin and Jetson Xavier.
“With the tremendous amounts of data that Emergent’s GigE Vision cameras capture, users need a means for processing that data with top performance,” said John Ilett, president and CTO at Emergent Vision Technologies. “Our GPU plug-in technology is supported within multi-camera and multi-server systems for maximum performance and ease of scalability.”
In eCapture Pro software, end users can create their own custom plug-ins or use Emergent’s built-in plug-ins, including a polarization plug-in tool. This tool lets users review the benefits of the characteristic outputs of a standard polarized processing pipeline, such as degree of polarization or direction or angle of polarization. End users can even remove the polarized light or output with one of the four orientation options: 0°, 45°, 90° or 135°.
With the inference plug-in, users can easily add and test their own trained deep learning inference model to perform detection and classification of objects. After training a model in a framework such as PyTorch or TensorFlow, users can add the model to the plug-in, instantiate it on the desired GPU, connect it to the camera, and click “run” to begin, allowing the software to detect and classify objects even while in motion.
To use the pattern matching plug-in within eCapture Pro, the user first creates a pattern template, loads the plug-in, and then instantiates it on the desired GPU. Next the user specifies the path to the pattern template, connects the camera to the GPU, and runs the plug-in to begin matching patterns, including those on moving objects.
Emergent’s eCapture Pro software also offers a plug-in for the H.265 video codec, which is the successor to H.264, delivering up to 50% better video compression while maintaining the same level of video quality, making it an ideal option for high-speed, high-resolution video. In addition, the plug-in supports RTMP streaming, which enables users to stream high-speed video to YouTube and other live streaming platforms.
Enhanced Software Platform Improves Automated Visual Inspections
Kitov.ai (Petah Tikva, Israel), a leading company in intelligent visual inspection solutions, has made significant improvements to its flagship software platform with the introduction of version 2.7. The latest version brings about enhanced user experience and expanded functionality, offering a more efficient and user-friendly workflow along with increased control options.
“Since its inception, Kitov.ai’s software has been at the forefront of utilizing AI to facilitate sophisticated quality inspections of intricate components and products,” said Dr. Yossi Rubner, the company’s founder and CTO. “With each update, we’ve made the Smart Planner even more capable. The focus of this latest version is to provide our users with an even greater degree of control, flexibility, and functionality through streamlined workflows and an exceptionally intuitive interface.”
The software suite features multiple components designed to enable smart inspection processes. Its improved AI Trainer permits operators without specialized expertise to rapidly gather and label defect data, thus providing a solid foundation for the software’s neural network learning.
Enhancements in version 2.7 mainly shine in the Planner Tool, which integrates seamlessly with various robotic systems. It uses AI to create optimized inspection strategies and simplifies the process of transferring these plans to the inspection equipment. Improvements include a more accessible interface, equipped with intuitive icons, tool tips, contextual menus, and versatile features like an undo function for reversing unintended actions.
CAD2SCAN functionality, a vital part of the Smart Planner, benefits from refined workflows and additional improvements in the 2.7 update. It allows quality inspectors to define test parameters directly on a CAD model of the part being inspected, making it much easier and faster to handle components with complex shapes. The tool now supports an expanded range of quality tests that can be applied to a CAD model, enhancing its ability to detect missing components; mark part edges, patterns, and surfaces; and more.
Furthermore, the Workcell Configurator has been updated to allow for 70% quicker configuration and validation of robotic work cell hardware through a straightforward and intuitive user interface.
“The launch of version 2.7 represents a significant leap forward, not just an incremental update,” Rubner said. “By making the interface more straightforward and enhancing the efficiency of workflows, we’re vastly improving the productivity and accuracy possible with AI-powered inspection in automated quality control processes.”
New Enhancements Added to Vision Machines
The QV Pro Series from Mitutoyo America Corp. (Aurora, IL) features a newly developed StrobeSnap vision measuring function that speeds up run time by approximately 35%-to-45% regardless of measurement position or continuity while achieving higher throughput and high-precision measurements. Quick Vision Pro Series machines have high-performance technologies that greatly improve 3D non-contact measurement and productivity.
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