Automated Part Enrollment for Flexible Inspection Path Setup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manual inspection methods for manufactured products are inefficient and prone to inaccuracies due to human error, and existing automated inspection technologies are often complex and require skilled personnel for configuration, making them costly for low-cost and low-margin parts.
Innovation Solution
A universal inspection system configured with hardware elements such as illumination devices, sensors, and articulating arms, which can be intuitively configured and calibrated for various parts, enabling efficient and automated inspection with minimal downtime between inspections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual inspection methods are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but inspection accuracy and efficiency deteriorate due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system performs self-calibration and automatic part enrollment without requiring skilled operators. The system automatically captures images, enrolls parts, and configures inspection parameters, eliminating the need for manual configuration by expert personnel while maintaining high inspection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
Manual inspection operations are replaced with automated image capture and processing systems. The mechanical/manual processes of positioning, imaging, and analysis are substituted with automated computational methods that maintain precision while reducing operational complexity
2Productivity
If dedicated automated inspection systems are configured for specific parts, then inspection accuracy improves, but system adaptability and productivity deteriorate due to lengthy reconfiguration downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The inspection system is designed as a universal platform that can inspect multiple different parts without requiring dedicated configuration for each part type. The system automatically adapts to different parts through rapid enrollment processes, maintaining both versatility and high productivity across various inspection tasks
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs rapid part enrollment and configuration in advance before actual inspection begins. By pre-enrolling parts and automatically generating inspection plans, the system eliminates reconfiguration downtime between different part types, enabling continuous high-speed inspection across multiple part varieties
3Measurement precision
If complex automated inspection systems are deployed, then inspection accuracy improves, but ease of operation and manufacturing cost deteriorate due to skilled personnel requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration and automatic part enrollment without requiring skilled operators. The system automatically captures images, enrolls parts, and configures inspection parameters, eliminating the need for manual configuration by expert personnel while maintaining high inspection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs all necessary configuration, calibration, and enrollment actions before inspection begins. This preliminary automated setup eliminates the need for skilled operators to perform complex manual configuration tasks, making the system easy to operate while maintaining high precision
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed for automated inspection and part enrollment. In one implementation, a selection of an area of a part is received within a graphical user interface depicting a representation of the part. Based on the selection of the area of the part, a location of the selected area is determined. Image capture parameter(s) are determined based on the determined location. Based on (a) the determined image capture parameters and (b) the location of the selected area, an inspection path is computed with respect to the part. The computed inspection path is executed with respect to the part via an inspection system.