A user-friendly approach for high-quality productionMachine vision serves as an integral part of your process control system, operating without the need for a separate PC or image processor. There is no PC-based operating system, there are no drivers to load, no boot times, no crashes and no software incompatibilities – making machine vision as reliable as your existing process control system. Suitable for most industrial applications, Easy Vision performs basic as well as advanced measurements with its sophisticated features, adaptability, flexibility and accuracy. The strength of Easy Vision lies in the fact that it is based on your existing process control production system and the technology behind it. Easy Vision technology is compatible with and easily integrated into widely used manufacturing systems, facilitating smooth, automated inspection and operation, as well as further development by production personnel or machine operators. The display unit shown above is not required in order for Easy-Vision machine vision to operate successfully. However, should you wish to inspect the production process visually, the system can easily transmit an image to the display unit, which can be placed anywhere. It is evident that machine vision is vastly under utilized, and that industries do not have enough information and knowledge of how the system can be applied in order to improve specific production processes. Easy-Vision machine vision provides opportunities and applications for industrial/production processes that were not viable in the past due to technological or financial limitations. Advantages Speed & Accuracy – Only essential information is transmitted into the process control system – not the whole image. The high performance capacities of the camera and the process control system ensure fast and accurate information transfer, enabling the use of Easy Vision in highly demanding machine vision applications. Reliability – All components used in Easy Vision are produced by well-known manufacturers and are in use around the world. Easy Vision can be connected to a PC-unit, which enables the system to store data and generate history reports of inspection statistics and about the system status. One of Easy Vision’s strengths is that hardware faults or software crashes have absolutely no impact on its operation. Easy Vision is based on the idea that a process control unit runs the camera, which in itself operates as an intelligent sensor and is an integral part of the production process. The process control system is able to further analyse information received by the sensor and may also make new queries based on the analysed information. Easy Vision machine vision Easy Vision’s applications are not restricted to specific industries, but can be widely applied. To ensure complete compatibility with a given customer’s requirements, Euroelektro performs feasibility studies that look at the information required by the customer and focus on practical ways of achieving the best results. It is essential to test the application with a customer’s products in a similar manufacturing environment – in order to ensure the success of a given project. Products Euroelektro has developed a number of standardized products to meet the most common requirements of its customers. If these standard products do not meet your specific needs, Euroelektro would be happy to develop a customized solution specially for your company. Euroelektro’s latest standardized offering, Easy Vision Research, is a unique product designed for R&D departments and for use in commercial applications, as well as for educational and research purposes at colleges and universities. Surface analysis
Surface analysis (homogeneity measurement) is the most common application of Easy-Vision. The camera records the item, processes the information required in the analysis and sends this information to the process control unit. Based on the measuring information, the process control unit controls a separate apparatus or a whole production line. As EasyVision is such an integrated part of the process control system, it is suitable for demanding, high-speed surface analyses with which dimension measurements can be combined.
 Typical applications: demanding surface figuration analyses, for example:
Robot for inspecting small items Our linear robot is suitable for the inspection of details and dimensions of items. The item being inspected is recorded by the camera as it moves along while fastened in the linear conductors. Based on the optical information, the robot classifies, accepts or rejects the item, or otherwise handles it in the required way.
The robot in the picture is inspecting the sharpness of the needle points (Ø 0,0015-0,003 mm) in a 600x1200 mm-sized needle plate at a speed of 15 needles/sec. There are 2000 needles in one plate,
so inspection of the whole plate takes 5 minutes and removal of the blunt and broken needles takes approximately 1 sec./needle. The inspection includes reporting of the measurement results, which makes it possible to follow-up on and further develop production.
 Picture 1. Robot for inspecting small items Robot for inspecting large items
While recording, the camera moves above the inspected item fastened in the linear conductors, typically completing inspection of a single element in 1-2 minutes. Applications are, for example, the dimension measurement of concrete elements and their openings. The system has been developed for industrial purposes and is thus able to handle dust, changes in temperature and variations in light, as well as heavy immovable items.
 Picture 2. Dimension measurement system for large items (ex. concrete elements) Dimension measurement
The Easy Vision dimension measurement tool, which moves in a lengthwise direction, is used for continuous measurement of the width of a product in objects that require high speed and precision. Easy Vision’s precision is +/-0,1 mm. The cameras are installed close to the inspected product so that vibrations, dust or other external disturbances have no influence on their recording. In many applications this system replaces the line scan camera and has none of the measurement errors typically caused in line scan cameras by the pixels in the periphery of the window. Based on the measurement results, the production equipment can be regulated in real time.
Picture 3. Simultaneous width measurement of several products on the production line
 Picture 4. Width measurement by following the edge Collecting ON/OFF information in demanding conditions The system is based on the use of optical fibres Ø 1 mm at the measuring point. It is even possible to combine 400 optical fibres with a single camera. This method can be used as a limit switch in the paper and pulp industry, for example, as well as in the control of production equipment. Based on the optical information, the system is able to regulate the equipment. Common uses of dimension measurement The measurement system is suitable for almost all rectangle dimensions and materials. The same production line can be used to produce items of different size, while measuring accuracy (which is +/-0,1-0,2 mm) does not vary when the size of the measured item changes. Typical applications include the dimension measurement of planed timber and profile control within the plastic and metal industries. When necessary, the production equipment can be regulated on the basis of the measurement information. Dimension measurement also identifies deviations in form. Measurement of deviations in form
Measurement of deviations in form is suitable when inspecting the profile of the item. The measuring system is based on the usage of laser light, which helps to ascertain the profile of the inspected product. The result is compared with the permitted values and, based on this information, the item is accepted or rejected. The system can regulate the equipment on the basis of the optical information.
 Picture 5. Measurement of deviations Inspection of printed items
A recently introduced and easy-to-use piece of equipment for the inspection of printed self-adhesive labels. The equipment is configured for each label, so that the permitted colour deviation and alarm level action are separately determined in every view port window. It is also possible to connect a monitor to the equipment in order to follow the printing process visually.
Picture 6. Label and configuration
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