Wieland-Werke AG (Ulm, Germany), a copper-strip manufacturer, has integrated Cognex Corp. (Natick, MA; www.cognex.com) SmartView ICN web-inspection system into its copper pickling line. This system can automatically detects, identifies, and displays defects in metals and other production-line materials. Pickling is a special treatment used to remove impurities from the surfaces of metals during the manufacturing process.
The web-inspection system was completely installed and running on the copper-pickling line in two days. It is being used to check the copper sheets for any particles of dirt remaining from the rolling process and acid bath.
