Radiant Vision Systems has launched its new automated visual inspection system, INSPECT.assembly, for in-line assembly verification.
The product is fully integrated with Radiant technology and configured to precise tolerances to meet the production-level inspection needs of complex electronic assemblies.
The system detects the presence, position and integrity of components, including screws, cables, connectors and other critical features before final device enclosure to automate assembly inspection.
Radiant’s assembly verification applications regional account manager Davis Bowling said: “Electronics manufacturing processes today are largely automated. However, final inspection for board-based connected assemblies has lacked an effective automated solution that ensures both consistency and accuracy.
“At the final stages of production where internal components are verified – before electronics are enclosed before or after functional testing – human inspectors remain the primary inspection method. This is due to the human’s superior visual acuity and judgment over typical machine vision systems for complex visual analysis.
“Humans can quickly detect very subtle defects in a variety of assembly contexts, even as parts change. However, human inspection lacks an automated system’s repeatability.
“To apply an automated solution in these contexts, the technology must offer the same level of visual acuity and judgment to ensure failures do not escape or result after goods are shipped.”
Radiant’s new INSPECT.assembly system is a turnkey inspection station that employs ProMetric® Y imaging systems with camera resolution (up to 29mp) and dynamic range (above 70dB), exceeding the specifications of typical machine vision systems.
Applied in the photometric measurement of light and colour in displays and backlit components, ProMetric cameras capture fine-detail images with a level of precision that rivals human visual acuity.
As INSPECT.assembly is fully-integrated with Radiant camera, lighting, fixturing, and software, Radiant engineers are able to design each INSPECT.assembly to match the specifications of each customer application. This advanced vision technology solves critical inspection challenges through a combination of the image registration and analysis functions of the camera with proprietary machine vision “super tools” in INSPECT Software.
These tools blend multiple machine vision software algorithms in a single tool to enable comprehensive analysis of specific features. For instance, a tool can be engineered with the unique algorithms required to locate the routing path of a cable to ensure that it is properly seated around guides on a board-based assembly.
Bowling added: “Capturing precise feature flaws during final inspections is critical not only for preventing functional failures in the manufacturing process, but also latent failures that may occur after shipment.
“A cable that is routed away from its guide may be pinched or damaged with repeated device use. A loose connector may detach with vibration. These issues may cause a device to fail after it has left the manufacturing facility, resulting in a return or potentially a broader product recall.
“The INSPECT.assembly’s imaging capability combined with custom-configured software allows manufacturers to catch subtle errors like these that human inspectors, standard machine vision systems, and functional testing may miss.”
Radiant’s new INSPECT.assembly system rivals human visual acuity and judgment for detecting defects while quantifying visual data for automated operations, bridging the gap between human and machine vision inspection for the most challenging assemblies.
Occupying the same physical footprint as a human operator on the line, the INSPECT.assembly system easily rolls onto moving conveyers, adjusting to heights from 525-950mm.
The system features touchscreen capability for results monitoring, adjustment of inspection tolerances, and part changes. The system’s INSPECT Software is pre-configured with multiple inspection tool recipes specific to each part, enabling adaptability to line changeover.
The system also offers reporting functionality, barcode reading, and a data output for traceability of inspection results and process control to improve operations for reducing product returns and recalls.
For additional information about the new INSPECT.assembly system from Radiant Vision Systems and other advanced vision solutions, please contact the company via the enquiry form.
