Software/Quality Control

Inspire’s sleek, streamlined interface offers the fastest means to access its new measurement, analysis, and reporting features for greater quality productivity. More software highlights include a new delete noise function to rapidly delete outlier data in point clouds, the addition of measurement triggers, and more data import and export options. The software also introduces the ability to create cross-sections of a point cloud without the need for a CAD model. Inspire’s learning curve is decidedly short for new and existing users with novice to expert skill levels. Hexagon offers a broad range of training materials from online videos and tutorials culminating in nearly four hours of user training resources.

The OpenVINO toolkit plugin from MVTec is based on the new HALCON AI Accelerator Interface (AI²). This generic interface allows customers to use supported AI accelerator hardware for the inference part of their deep learning applications – quickly and conveniently. Such special devices are widely used especially for applications in the embedded environment, but also exist more and more in the PC environment. By abstracting the deep learning models from specific hardware, the AI Accelerator Interface is particularly future-proof. In addition to plugins provided by MVTec, the integration of customer-specific AI accelerator hardware is also possible.

MERLIC 5 contains new and optimized features that further increase usability, robustness, and the field of possible applications. Among these features is included the improved camera handling using the Image Source Manager (ISM), which completely separates the image acquisition source from the image processing part. As a result, machine vision applications can be easily copied and run between different systems without adjusting the camera settings. The graphical user interface allows the image sources to be comfortably managed and configured.

LHInspect offers a unique range of functions and will be used in conjunction with the WGT series of machines for inspecting all types of gears, gear cutting tools and shaft-type workpieces, including size and position determination. LHInspect also supports the manufacturer-neutral GDE interface for exchanging geometrical and measurement data between gear inspection machines and gear cutting machines as the basis for automated correction of setting data (LHOpenConnect).

Traditional condition monitoring algorithms are now also available in TwinCAT Analytics using simple configuration with no programming requirements. This addition optimizes both the standard workflow and spontaneous measurements, such as during machine commissioning or service.

As quality-control processes at separate production facilities are typically disconnected, it can be challenging for global manufacturers to achieve accurate and detailed analyses of quality issues linked to specific components, suppliers, projects, and locations. Through a highly visual, web-based quality dashboard, the new solution enables quality professionals to intuitively analyse aggregate data at a glance from any web browser and rapidly identify cases that require urgent intervention. 

While retaining its user-friendliness, the latest version of Inspekto’s flagship edge device offers new and improved characteristics. The first is the possibility to deploy the system in an even higher number of use cases. As opposed to traditional machine vision solutions, built as a project from multiple components and set to inspect only a specific use case, AMV systems are universal, they include both the required hardware and software, and can inspect a wide variety of parts and use cases. This revolutionary feature has been further extended by the possibility to reliably inspect highly reflective parts, such as metals and plastics.