If we were to give an answer to a question about the price of a vision system, we would be forced to say, "We have implemented systems worth 2 thousand and 2 million EUR. The price depends on what objectives the system should meet, and what elements it consists of.
So, how to find out what the price of a vision system for your purpose will be? It's worth knowing a few hints that will make the fog disappear. It will help you to understand what to look for when making a decision.
For it, contractors need to obtain detailed knowledge about the plant or get some samples at the inquiry stage. The reason for it is simple - without specification, we cannot start our work. The question about the price of a system can be compared to questions like How much does a car cost? A number of questions immediately spring to mind, trying to narrow down the offer of a large automotive market. A new or used one? Commuting or long-distance travel? To be able to give a specific answer we have to get some information from the source. Bearing in mind that the number of parameters defining the price of the system is huge and it is the information from the customer - i.e. you - that allows to specify it.
In theory, a system consists of a minimum of 3 things: an information acquisition sensor (camera or camera array), a data acquisition and processing device, and an analysis device (processor or computer with software). Mainly these components make up the price of a vision system. So that is the theory and in practice… it is related to what your system will do. You may only need one device, such as a smart camera or a set of specialized cameras, illuminators, and a separate processing unit. Additional functionality means additional equipment, and thus additional costs. So the rule of thumb is: the more complex the system and its tasks, the more expensive it will be.
It's important to know that being well prepared makes the task easier for us and speeds up the process of getting an accurate quote. Use the tips to prepare your request, and if you have questions - just contact us!
The most common approach in the making of vision systems is the use of sets of one or more cameras with lighting, optics, and appropriate software. They work very smoothly and adapt to the moving production line while recording the image. The software performs an analysis and refers to the recorded pattern, verifying the shapes, dimensions, and colors of the tested object. The system verifies that there are no deficiencies or that the product has been properly assembled. In case of any inconsistencies, the software informs about detected deviations from the norm. Thanks to that in the final stage of production we receive the highest quality product.
Industrial cameras are perfect for high-speed production lines in a compacted space. They generate high-resolution images without a need to stop the line. We can choose from linear, 2D, and 3D cameras, which additionally provide information about the shape and geometry of the product. This set of information definitely develops the quality control process.
In the process of vision quality control, it is also possible to use 3D scanners. They are able to create three-dimensional models based on an existing object. The device maps the shape of the object by combining a set of points and creating digital clouds from them, which are then processed and combined into a complete mesh model. This allows even very complex geometry to be mapped quickly and accurately. However, in order to be able to get information about the whole object, several measurements have to be made.
3D scanners can use two technologies: laser or structured light. Laser technology is characterized by high precision and allows the analysis of objects in difficult lighting conditions, which, however, is associated with longer data processing time. Devices based on structured light projection are characterized by high speed and lower price but are more sensitive to lighting conditions than laser scanners.
One of the biggest advantages of 3D scanners is their high accuracy and resolution. The precision of measurement can reach up to the order of thousandths of a millimeter. As with cameras, the technology allows us to detect an object and compare it with a model. However, by comparing not the image but the 3D model, we can evaluate the geometry and check whether it is compatible with, for example, a reference CAD model. The data obtained in this way can be used to decide whether to accept or reject the product. When purchasing a scanner, it is necessary to consider the specific operating conditions on the production line. Variable temperature, humidity, and lighting, significantly affect the quality of the obtained results. This type of system works best where lighting can be controlled. When deciding to buy the equipment, one should also take into account its cost, in this case, higher than cameras. Depending on the parameters and type of the device, it ranges from several to several hundred thousand EUR.
Each of the described technologies has undoubted advantages and it is not a good practice to unanimously settle the superiority of one over the other. Both cameras and 3D scanners improve the quality of the control process with very high accuracy. However, the choice of an appropriate solution depends on individual expectations and conditions in which the system would work. The most important thing is to adapt the choice of appropriate equipment to the needs and requirements of your own implementation.
Do you have any Questions about camera or scanner selection? Contact us!
There are many advantages of vision systems, but this article is a base of specifics, not a laurel - so let's highlight the strongest four.
It is this feature, coupled with accuracy, that makes machine vision work so well. Machine vision can capture and analyze data from the production line ten times faster than a human eye can do with 95 - 99% more accuracy. Checking 50 product features in 15 seconds is easily achievable for vision systems.
The vision system works continuously and its accuracy is constant. This is valuable to assure quality control in a round-the-clock production system. Market experience makes it clear: there are many areas where a human is better than a machine, but quality control on high-speed production lines is not one of them. In this case, it is recommended to relieve the quality control stations (e.g. with vision systems) and to redirect the human team to more comfortable work.
The vision system performs its tasks in a non-contact manner. This means that there is no risk that the object of inspection will be deformed or its measurement will be disturbed by e.g. heat. This is an important argument for the food & pharma industry, among others, where any contact with the product other than necessary is inadvisable.
With no doubt, a big advantage of vision systems is their hygienic safety. Wherever there is a need to exclude the human factor due to biological risks/hazards- a vision system is perfect.
About the monetary value. A vision system may seem like a large investment at first. But by making a proper calculation - including, for example, reduced downtime and the cost of issuing defective products - you can see a quick return on investment.
About the data: A vision system is an excellent source of generating valuable data. With a bit of will and work, the database can be analyzed and conclusions are drawn to improve the production process. This added value should not be underestimated.
There are many more advantages of machine vision systems. If you have questions, or would like to calculate the benefits of implementing machine vision systems in your plant - please contact us!
A vision system is a set of devices dedicated to machine vision. What kind of vision is that? The easiest way to imagine it is to see it as an artificially constructed sense of sight. Machine vision, like human vision, converts photons into information. The "eyes" in this case are specialized cameras, the "brain" is a powerful computer and advanced software. Thanks to it, the set of devices works like a very accurate human eye - it acquires information from the environment by "looking" at predefined areas or objects, and processes information and transfers it to the database.
Technically speaking, a vision system consists of a sensor that collects information, an illuminator, a lens, as well as a data acquisition device, and the software that processes the data.
At production lines with high speeds or for long inspection processes that last for several hours, the human eye is not capable of accurate and careful observation - those are only a few of the advantages of a vision system over the human eye. The next one is that vision devices can reach a speed that the human eye cannot match- for example, inspecting 50 product features in 0.1 seconds per one.
Vision systems, being more accurate than the human eye, are of great benefit for the industry. Why? Because there are plenty of situations in the manufacturing processes where advanced observation is required. An example of such a situation is quality control. The need to measure an object, angles, form, color, surface quality, the presence or absence of certain features, and inclusions or foreign matter - this is a task for a vision system and efficient support for product quality control and manufacturing process.
All depends on the task to be done, and on the system itself. There are 5 main types of systems depending on the mechanism of operation:
The possibilities are endless, because a vision system can support processes where the human eye is inadequate/insufficient. Contact us to find out more about the potential of our solutions for your production.
Wskazówki:
Efekty pracy systemów wizyjnych:
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