Automatic industrial inspection for on-line factory control
Automatic industrial inspection for on-line factory control
Keywords Manufacturing,Siemens
Automated manufacturing processes can now benefit from a high throughput industrial image inspection system, which can be linked directly to programmable controllers (PLCs) and computerised factory management systems.
The Videomat IV from Siemens Automation is an advanced image processing module designed to act as a co-processor in a Siemens SIMATIC S5 or S7 PLC (see Plate 4). Videomat IV can also be operated as a stand alone system with 32 bit imaging at a clock frequency of 100MHz, and sampling frequencies of up to 20MHz, inspection rates of up to 60 pieces per second are achievable. Up to six monochrome or two RGB cameras can be connected, three monochrome cameras can be operated simultaneously, and an integrated PCMCIA II interface allows programs, data and images to be transmitted automatically, to anywhere in the world.
A software library which includes; image recording, window, vector, circle and contour elements allows the operator to set an image window of any size and position as the input parameter. Depending on the level of image processing required, these inspection elements can carry out: pre-processing, feature extraction, complex inspection or identification.
Plate 4 Videomat IV an advanced image processing module for automated manufacturing processes
Control or communications functions, or results parameters, can be linked directly into the computer system which controls the factory processes.
Videomat IV has been designed in such a way that reconfiguring an industrial inspection system is straightforward. The flexibility offered by the Siemens Simatic PLC architecture and the ease with which Videomat IV can be reprogrammed using window based software, a standard keyboard and monitor make it ideal for industrial plants whose automated inspection requirements are dictated by changing production processes.
For more information contact: Gary Provis, Siemens Automation, Tel: +44 (0) 161 446 5874; Fax: +44(0) 161 446 6201.
