Automated Part Inspection
Automating part inspections is commonly done with the use of cameras or sensors or a combination of both. They are used to detect flaws in the product such as missing holes or components, improper edges or contours, or damaged surfaces. Cameras and sensors can be fixed mounted or mounted on a robot depending on the application and can be programmed for many different parts.
Advantages of Automated Part Inspection:
Quality: Because of the programmability of robots, cameras and sensors, flaws in parts can be detected that may sometimes be missed by an operator.
Efficiency: By automating part inspection, flawed parts can channeled away from the normal production process to be repaired or removed from the operation with minimal to no interference to the other processes.
Reducing Scrap: By detecting and removing flawed parts from the process will prevent those parts from continuing on further in the process, possibly wasting material and energy to a point where they may not be able to be repaired.
Increased Output: By increasing efficiency and reducing scrap can easily equate to increased output.
Safety: Automating part inspection can increase safety by the early removal of damaged parts that if left in a process may cause damage to machinery or other equipment which could possibly injure to an operator, or by removing an operator from an environment that may cause injury.