Automated Inspection Setup Using Stored Part Parameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automated inspection technologies are inefficient and costly, often requiring skilled personnel and dedicated hardware, making them unsuitable for low-volume or low-margin productions, and they frequently capture sub-optimal images due to complexity and lack of adaptability for different parts.
Innovation Solution
A universal inspection system configured with illumination devices, sensors, and articulating arms that can be intuitively set up for various parts using stored inspection parameters, allowing for optimal image capture and processing without extensive training, enabling efficient transition between different inspection tasks with minimal downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If automated inspection technologies are used, then inspection accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal inspection system that can inspect multiple part types using a single configured system. The system stores inspection parameters for different part types and automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate parameters when a part is placed on the inspection platform, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated inspection systems for different part types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes inspection parameters (such as illumination settings, sensor configurations, and analysis criteria) based on the specific part type being inspected. By storing pre-configured parameter sets for different part types and automatically selecting the appropriate parameters, the system maintains high inspection accuracy across diverse part types without requiring complex manual reconfiguration.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware is used for each part type, then inspection quality is improved, but productivity and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
A single inspection system is designed to handle multiple part types by incorporating a database of stored inspection parameters. When a new part type needs inspection, the system retrieves the corresponding parameter set from storage and applies it automatically, allowing one system to perform the work of multiple dedicated systems while maintaining inspection quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Inspection parameters for different part types are pre-configured and stored in the system before actual inspection begins. This preliminary setup eliminates the need for time-consuming manual configuration when switching between part types, thereby maintaining high inspection quality while significantly improving productivity and reducing changeover time.
3Ease of manufacture
If manual inspection is used, then cost is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is designed to be self-configuring by automatically retrieving stored inspection parameters based on part type identification. This automation eliminates the need for skilled personnel to manually configure complex inspection settings, reducing operational costs while maintaining high measurement precision through consistent, error-free parameter application.
4Measurement precision
If complex inspection systems are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
All complex inspection parameters are pre-configured and stored in the system for different part types. When inspection is needed, the system automatically retrieves and applies the appropriate pre-configured parameters, eliminating the need for operators to manually configure complex settings. This maintains high measurement precision while dramatically simplifying operation and reducing the need for skilled personnel.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and related technologies for automated inspection are described. In certain aspects, one or more images of a reference part can be captured and the one or more images of the reference part can be processed to generate an inspection model of the reference part. One or more regions of the inspection model can be associated with one or more analysis parameters. An inspection plan can be generated based on the inspection model and the one or more analysis parameters. Based on the inspection plan, one or more images of a part to be inspected can be captured and the one or more images of the part can be processed in relation to the analysis parameters to compute one or more determinations with respect to the part. One or more outputs can be providing based on the one or more determinations.