Introduction to Vision Sensors

In today’s fast-paced world, companies must keep up with the demands of their customers. Speed is often used as a differentiating factor in the business world, as it is mainly measurable.

Vision Sensors are meant to conduct simple error-proofing tasks, such as presence/absence inspections, and deliver pass/fail results. Vision Sensors combine the capability of a camera to take a picture with the processing power of a computer to make decisions about a manufactured part or product, based on its position, quality and completeness.

As the parts are moving along the production line, the Vision Sensors are able to dynamically detect the targeted area in specific parts. Multi-point inspections can be done with a single sensor, ensuring that all components of the part are of top quality before being delivered to the end users.

Vision Sensors perform inspections first by locating the part in the image, then by looking for specific features on that area. Once the field of view (FOV) is set, an operator can run vision tools within the entire range of the target to inspect multiple features for their presence, completeness, or orientation—all in a single image. Unlike any other sensors, a Vision Sensor can handle misalignment and predictable variability in a work cell, so operators can use them in pre-configured cells without needing to make a number of costly and time-consuming changes. An object can therefore be inspected in any position on the belt.

Components of a Vision Sensor

      1. Lighting
To illuminate the part that is being inspected so its distinctive features are easily visible by the camera to detect.

      2. Lens
To capture the image of the part being inspected.

      3. Image Sensor
To analyse the images captured to determine the accuracy of assembly on presence of defects.

      4. Vision Processor
In charge of running the machine vision algorithms.

      5. Communication
Connects the other parts of the vision system, ensuring that data is transmitted properly.