I'll start writing again.
It has been 20 years since we started our company. We are still trying to figure out why automated visual inspection doesn't work. However, compared to the past, we have a clear idea of the direction in which we should be heading. On the other hand, as the labor shortage becomes an issue, those who are working on the automation of visual inspection are [...].
After the 2017 International Robot Exhibition
The 2017 International Robot Exhibition has recently concluded successfully. IoT, AI, deep learning, self-driving technology, cooperative robots, etc. The latest technologies are often featured in the news. This may be the reason why there were so many visitors, both domestic and foreign [...].
after a long time
Here comes the boss. The staff has been working hard and I was left in charge. My apologies. We will be exhibiting at the Image Sensing Expo in June for the first time in five years. And also a seminar. The major change in the past five years has been in the automation of visual inspection [...].
Lighting conditions
IF IT IS A VISUAL INSPECTION, THE BASIC IDEA WOULD BE TO INSPECT WITH SCATTERED LIGHT. WHEN WE ASK UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE APPEARANCE OF AN OBJECT, IT IS USUALLY IN THE PRESENCE OF NATURAL LIGHT (SCATTERED LIGHT). OF COURSE, IN A DARK PLACE, THE APPEARANCE DOES NOT BOTHER US. IN OTHER WORDS, NG IS [...].
Use the same lighting conditions as when a person inspects.
The appropriate lighting conditions will vary depending on the application, and the choice of lighting is difficult to make unless you are experienced. As I have mentioned many times in this blog, the basic idea is to use the same lighting conditions as those used for human inspection. The viewer [...].
Wavelengths of Light, Part 2
In the last issue we discussed lighting in general terms. We have been experimenting with various wavelengths of lighting. In terms of visible light, we have tried red, green, blue, white, etc. We have also tried ultraviolet light, and in terms of visible light, we have tried red, green, blue, white, etc. The conclusion we have reached is that white light is basically the way to go. Of course, it's not as easy as it looks [...].
Wavelengths of Light Part 1
This is a general discussion of light wavelengths. Sunlight is white, so it can be divided into long and short wavelengths, and even within white it contains many different kinds of light. You can separate the colors through a prism, but red light, which has a longer wavelength, is not refracted as much and is scattered to a lesser degree [...].
Solder or solder leakage inspection
When soldering or brazing by hand, the shape is often unstable. I had a theme of visual inspection to see if the soldering was actually done properly, so I tested the work sample. As I expected, there was a large variation [...].
Industries where robots can be utilized
The other day, I was talking with the president of a company that deals with deburring and polishing robots, and he mentioned several similarities with the visual inspection industry we are in. What he meant was: 1) Basically, they are trying to use robots to replace work that can be done by humans [...].
Inspections are speedy
The other day, I had the opportunity to talk with a manager of a contract visual inspection company. He told me that the first step in training inspectors is to get their eyes accustomed to the high speed at which good products are being produced. As they do this, they learn to adjust their eyes, body movements, and awareness [...].