S Square Automation & TechPack

Karad, Satara, Maharashtra

Vision systems reduce costs, increase performance and productivity in a variety of industrial and non-industrial systems.

Automated systems reduce costs, increase performance, productivity and ensures quality. In many applications a vital component of an automated process is the vision system, which interprets real-time images. Using pre-defined criteria, an integrated vision system makes a judgement or series of judgements and then performs a specific task or set of tasks.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing machines are operated through the interaction of sensors, PLC’s, servomotors, and other devices. Vision Systems check orientation and part position; the results are used to control the operation of Machines.

Inspections Systems

Inspections Systems inspect the product in order to determine how to handle it, verifying for damage and orientation, and ensuring the quality of the product going in and leaving the machine.

EtherCat

The EtherCAT is a high-speed open network that is ideal for machine control. You can use the EtherCat to connect to NJ-Series Machine Automation Controllers and motion control G5-series Servomotors and Servo Drives to increase control speed over everyday communications protocols from workpiece detection to starting axis motion.

Common tasks performed by vision systems include:

• Identification of flaws in manufactured items
• Precise and accurate measurement of items
• Location, recognition, sorting and counting of items
• Correct positioning of items

The high speed processing capability of a vision system, within an automated process, ensures high-level, repeatable results 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. High speed image input contributes to increasing throughput.

The characteristics of a high-end vision system include complex image processing algorithms and real time, continuous data acquisition and analysis. The high resolution and sensitivity of high end vision systems make them a real world solution to manufacturing optimisation.

Benefits of vision systems

From a production point of view there are 3 benefits of using high-end vision systems as part of an automated process:

Better quality control – Defect free products avoid product or lot returns, reduce overheads and increase brand image by identifying errors during the production process

Faster production line – reduces manufacturing costs and production times leading to greater production and increased profits

Fewer injuries – reduced repetitive or dangerous tasks lead to reduced work related injuries

From a corporate point of view, there are two key benefits in using a high end vision system:

Greater profits – increased quality control, reduced manufacturing and production times, all result in a higher return on investment (ROI)

Higher employee satisfaction – less injuries and boring repetitive or dangerous tasks improves employee retention and satisfaction

Applications of vision systems

• The integration of high-end vision systems can increase productivity or efficiency within the following industries:
• Packaging & Palletising: This includes making sure that the correct labels or barcodes are affixed to the packaging, the labels are placed correctly, the integrity of the packaging is complete and that the packed items are correctly stacked on pallets.
• Plastics & Moulding: Defects such as particulates, bubbles and blisters in plastics can be identified; and container conformity parameters such as the dimensions, presence of threads, the finish, size of neck etc., can be checked. The integrity of injection moulding product can be checked allowing the process to run in automatic mode, eliminating the need for human checks and speeding up production.
• Food & Beverage: Visual systems can check on barcodes, expiry dates, packaging integrity, the presence or absence of items and labels. Fruit and vegetables can be inspected and sorted by colour, size and ripeness, with defects such as cracked skin, shape defects, mould or blemishes identified. Fill levels in bottles can ensure that packaging contents are guaranteed.
• Pharmaceuticals & Neuroceuticals: Used to inspect the quality and integrity of blister packs, bottles, vials, cartons and packaging; lot and batch codes, barcodes, tablet and vial counting, etc.
• Metal & Steel Works: Used in robotic assembly lines to increase production, task completion times, quality assurance, packaging and palletising. Ideal for parts recognition, precision measurements, repetitive tasks and the identification of defects.
• Mining: As an alternative to grading using the belt-cut technique – vision systems can measure the dimensions and detect faults rapidly in real time, evaluate the integrity of the conveyor belts, operate in harsh environments and are suitable for both open-pit and underground mines. Bucket payloads can be optimised by ensuring accurate positioning of the shovel with respect to the dig face and remote operation of equipment can be optimised

Paintingg

• Increased savings and waste reduction: Automated robotics provide a consistency and quality that is unachievable with traditional painting methods. The paint application is precisely applied, resulting in complete coverage and a flawless finish.
• Increased safety: Automated painting systems can perform repetitive tasks, operate at heights and in enclosed or dangerous environments. These advantages reduce the health and safety hazards for employees.
• Complex painting: Specialised painting cells can be designed to paint different materials such as metal, wood or plastics (requiring different paint types) and to use a variety of colours.