Market: Machine Automation
Location: Italy
Client: UTP Vision
Advantech iPlanet Online Customer

Project Introduction:
Industrial artificial vision is a field that includes methods for acquiring, processing, analyzing, and understanding images and high-dimensional data from the real world in order to perform a range of tasks such as: control processes, e.g. an industrial robot; detecting events, e.g. for visual surveillance or people counting; for automatic inspection, e.g. in manufacturing, as well as many other applications and other systems that are application dependent. There are, however, typical functions which are found in many artificial vision systems such as: image acquisition, feature extraction, detection/segmentation, high-level processing, and decision making. Because many functions are unique to the application, flexible system integration is essential as well as necessary for providing fast and easy access to a broad range of industrial hardware products.

System Requirements:
Our client, UTP Vision, has developed a quality checking system based on images/pictures from whose integration the software in their machines is able to tell if given products/components are aligned to specific production requirements (i.e. shape, color, dimensions) or not. Their machinery is usually installed into production lines and, depending on the result of their visual inspection, they either allow the production process to continue or send an alarm signal highlighting there are some anomalies to correct. For this visual inspection system they needed reliable and long lasting communication cards to manage the signals between the PC and the equipment. UTP Vision was looking for a reliable solution for their real time system and found Advantech PCI cards fitted their needs as connection/communication devices. They needed cards that were: compatible with their real time system; an ability to ensure the quality and efficiency of their visual inspection system;long lasting with industrial features so that they can be used in any kind of environment, even where there is dust or the level of environmental “protection/safety” is not high.

Project Implementation:
For this project, UTP Vision purchased PCI cards in order that they would fit correctly in to the real time management system computers. The PC’s are installed with a PCI-1713 and the electrical boxes use PCI-1750/1756 cards to transfer signals from the computer to the machines and these signals activate the equipment (video cameras, engines etc). These are then connected to the vision inspection machines via the ADAM-3951-BE.

System Diagram:

Conclusions:
Over the years UTP Vision have bought about 300 units from Advantech and have used them in a range of industries: automotive and gas (production lines for rubber, metal bits, gaskets, washers) their installations are not only in Italy but also in Europe and non European countries like Taiwan, China, South Africa, Brazil. The main reason for this is that UTP Vision need to have a solution which they consider extremely reliable and of a high quality, and available at very short notice to meet their tight deadlines. UTP Vision evaluated Advantech as the most cost effective solution for industrial measurement.