A discussion with Erik Goethert of Boston Engineering
VSD: How are you using machine vision and automated systems?
Goethert: Boston Engineering uses machine vision to improve many industrial tasks, from process monitoring and control to predictive maintenance and quality control. One area in which we see a multitude of applications for machine vision is inspection. A large percentage of the automated systems we design for our customers are built around the inspection station. Many of these are for process control and quality control inspection.
Because the inspection step is such a critical component of the entire manufacturing-automation process, the design and reliability of the vision system used must be carefully considered. Not only must the individual components of the machine-vision system-the camera, vision processor, software library, lighting, and optics-work together for the inspection process to be successful, but the inspection system must be well integrated with the rest of the manufacturing process to ensure an efficient and accurate outcome.
That's why when designing systems for manufacturing and automation, we treat the machine-vision system as a critical piece of the bigger machine puzzle. Boston Engineering takes a systems approach, considering the entire machine design from mechanical, electrical, and software engineering to the specific machine-vision needs. As visual inspection becomes more complex, the accompanying components and electro-mechanical machine has to evolve as well.