Development of a vision-based inspection system on a micro-computer

The role of inspection in achieving enhanced quality and productivity is of paramount importance. There is a trend towards more reliable methods of inspection—like, machine vision, automated inspection, computer-aided inspection, etc. But, for these newer inspection systems to be attractive, these need to be cost-effective. The present paper is based on a project which was concerned with the design and development of an automated micro-based system integrating machine vision with a robot to carry out inspection tasks. To simulate a real-world industrial process, the inspection of common washers has been carried out using the system. Depending on the outcome of the inspection process, the robot arm gets activated to pick a washer and transfer it in a good/bad bin, or place it on an assembly workstation. The manipulator next returns to its standby position and remains there until a new target is presented. The special features of the inspection are: (i) micro-computer based, (ii) low-cost, being under $7500, (iii) flexible and reprogrammable, and (iv) likely to remain effective at the shop floor.