Vision Automation can deliver solutions for most vision inspections. More than 95% of all applications are solved using our standard systems. On occasion we see an application where our standard tools are insufficient. We then consider whether a solution is possible be modifying a standard tool or if a new tool needs to be added to the system toolbox. Throughout a standard system's life cycle we add many improvements, extensions and new tools.

In certain cases the application is so special that it does not fit the framework of a standard system. Such applications are often found in connection with natural products, unstructured products and in cases, where the borderline between accepted product and rejected product cannot be described in a straightforward manner.

Slicing - Meat in slices

Products:

Bacon of different types both streaky and back in different styles, sizes and cuts. Other speciality meat products, cheeses etc.

Inspections:

Inspections on the section surface. Area of the section surface and the lean fat ration is found. The information determines how thick the next slice should be cut to give all slices identical weight.
Other inspections as fat thickness, fat distribution and the position of muscles are used to grade the product into different grades.
The camera sees the surface under a somewhat complex geometry implying that perspective corrections must be made.

System:

Special system MKII with 1 camera.

Speed:

Up to 2000 slices / minute.

Advantages:

Saving raw material. The system ensures that the extra amount of bacon in each pack can be minimised to still reach the 'correct' weight.

Note:

VA has a similar system for automatic inspection of hams.

Automatic sorting of ice cream sticks

Products:

Ice cream sticks of different styles and sizes - normal ice cream sticks, 'Magmun'/paddle sticks, tongue depressors, corn dogs etc.

Inspections:

Geometric measurements as length-, width-, and thickness profiles and inspection for deformities as 'sweep', 'propeller', 'banana shape' and others.
Surface measurements of wood colour, knots and discoloration.
The system sorts in first grade second grade and waste.

System:

Special system OS3/OS4 with 3 cameras incl. custom optics og laser cell.

Speed:

Up to 2000 sticks / minute.

Advantages:

Fast, consistent, and untouched by human hand sorting of different types of ice cream sticks.

Note:

VA has a similar system for automatic sorting of chopsticks.

VHI - Identification of hangers for hog carcasses

Products:

Hangers with number plates - the hangers are used to transport the hog carcasses through the abattoir. The number plate is a small stainless steel plate with a serial number.

Inspections:

The system reads the number plate under different 3D rotations, scaling and mirrored.
The system has a number of additional functions as gender determination and rejection of damaged hangers.

System:

Special system VHI with 4 independent cameras housed in protective housing with video transmission for large cable lengths.

Speed:

Up to 4 readings per second.

Advantages:

Used for transportation logistics in the abattoir. The identification concept is very robust, since the number plate is undamaged by below zero temperatures as well as open fire - and further human readable.

Note:

Vision Automation holds a patent for this system.

One of Vision Automation's major customer groups is manufacturers of pharmaceutical packaging machines, where we act as partner or preferred supplier to many of the leading European machine manufacturers. The co-operation with these customers has brought us a lot of invaluable experience. We use this experience to continuously develop better systems. Such customers normally use our standard vision systems in certain case under their own name. We are known to deliver highly flexible and reliable solutions that work every time the first time.

Vision Automation can deliver solutions and vision systems for most applications. We do however try to minimise the amount of development we put into a single special application. We know that our resources are best used when we focus on developments that can be used in a number of systems. We thus always try first to find a solution using a standard system or by adding a new functionality or tool to a standard system. If the application does not fit the framework of a standard product we will evaluate on a case by case basis if we want to enter into a development project for a custom made vision system.