20:20 Vision

The demands on electronic components continue to grow. They have to operate correctly at all times, and for that they need to be properly protected by a 100% reliable dispensing process. One that is fully verifiable. This is so important particularly for the automotive and medical industries where safety is paramount.

But how does verifiable inspection of the dispensing process work?

And above all, how does it work efficiently?

It is not just a question of quality. Increasing pressures in terms of automation and efficiency also have to be managed. Optical control systems for adhesive beads have been around for some time. But sometimes such systems are either incompatible or involve the additional time and effort of an extra process step at a separate location. What is needed is a system that guarantees the shortest cycle times, the greatest output and the smallest footprint. Scheugenpflug has therefore integrated the “eyes” in the dispensing cell as an all-in-one package. What needs to be taken into account to ensure that the bead on the component is properly inspected?

Inspection | Quality assurance

Georg brings more than 20 years of experience in industrial image processing. His focus is on the integration of inspection and dispensing system. 

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IMAGE CONTROL PLUS

First of all, the “eyes” in the Scheugenpflug dispensing cell are not just any old eyes. They take image control to a whole new level. Before a component is installed its position is inspected and any coordinate corrections are sent to the robotics. This is called “advance position correction”, and happens before quality control itself. All thanks to state-of-the-art software.

CHECK THE CONTRAST

Appropriate lighting is needed if the features are to be visible at all. It is important to create sufficient contrast between the background and the features of the adhesive bead to be inspected, otherwise no algorithm in the world could detect or inspect anything. All image processing systems stand or fall by the contrast. Note that the effect of extraneous light should not be underestimated. The poorer the lighting, the greater the impact of extraneous light.

There are many ways to improve the contrast, including spectral selection, the use of complementary colors, polarization or fluorescence (UV excitation). Laser light section processes in 2.5 or 3D heat pulse processes such as NIR and IR are more complex. All methods aim to create the best possible contrast for the detection of the desired features. No matter which method you use, it is essential that you carefully select the right lighting in advance and that your hardware is set up accordingly. 

Don't worry, there are experts on hand who will be happy to help you get the best possible contrast for your dispensing bead. Take their advice – it will make all the difference.

EXPERT TIP

Contrast techniques include bright field light, transmitted light, dark field or diffuse daylight illumination. Given the system architecture of RTVision.t and RTVision.3D and their integration in our cells, we use the “bright field illumination” method. The cameras and lighting are in one housing.

We will of course advise you. The lighting should be chosen according to whatever features need to be detected and monitored. After all, you want to see what you need to see, not just anything.

FUN FACTS

You can also select only certain features, such as the color red. Take a box full of pins. Under a red light these pins will appear bright while everything else will remain dark. It’s the same whether you use a white light source and filters or a specific light color. The only important thing is to determine the correct wavelength of the lighting in advance and to design the hardware accordingly. But it is also important to know that although an RGB LED can produce all the colors for the human eye, the wavelength is always only red, green and blue.

BEFORE WE START

We have learned what we need to bear in mind when it comes to lighting. But before we start, it is important to have a detailed description of the project: WHAT is involved? WHAT is the environment? WHAT information do we have about the component? WHAT exactly is to be inspected? The more detailed the preparation, the more accurate the results. Just test it first under laboratory conditions, preferably with original components.

The advantages of inline inspections are obvious.  This definitely increases production quality while costs, time and material are reduced. User friendliness is in line with the latest standards, and once you have already delivered the component, you can answer any questions by referring to the documentation.

So use your eyes!

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