3D Robot Guidance for Decorating Gingerbread

Posted on June 10, 2015 by FSI Technologies Inc.

3D Robot Guidance for Decorating Gingerbread
The EVT (EyeVision Technology) EyeScan AT 3D uses a three-dimensional sensor, whose data evaluation is carried out with the EyeVision image processing software. Using the 3D commands of the drag-and-drop programmable software, robot guidance becomes an easy-to-solve application.

For robot guidance, the 3D-positioning of the measuring object and its geometrical characteristics are detected. Additionally, the position discrepancy is calculated and the corrected data is forwarded to the robot system.

At the same time, the EyeScan AT 3D can inspect the surface of the objects, such as the surface texture of gingerbread cookies. During the baking process the gingerbread becomes slightly uneven and therefore has to be measured again separately one by one. The robot needs the orientation and height information for the subsequent sugar icing decoration of the pastry. For this application, the robot should position itself with the camera system above the gingerbread and then could measure and decorate the cookie.

Further application examples for the EyeScan AT 3D and EyeVision software are the adhesive bead and weld seam inspection, solar cell control, as well as tire and rubber inspection.

OCR can also be combined with 3D-surface inspection of embossed and debossed surfaces. The z-values of the 3D-inspection is recognized by the OCR-tool as lettering.

“Intelligent” sensors such as the EyeScan AT 3D are becoming increasingly relevant in industrial applications. By equipping an industrial robot with the proper sensors, the robot can carry out the task largely by itself.

Counting Eggs – not only on Easter

Posted on April 24, 2015 by FSI Technologies Inc.

These days “Image Processing” is a topic in many industries and it is de rigueur in industrial applications. Hardly a production line can manage without industrial camera and evaluation software such as EyeVision. This also the case with Agribusiness.

One example is the counting of eggs on a conveyor belt. In modern chicken houses to handle this, camera-based systems are installed.

The difficulty here is, that the eggs on the conveyor belt are not in any order and sometimes are touching each other and sometimes not. In this current case the eggs on the image captured by an industrial camera, have to be separated not only from each other – egg between egg – but also from the background. Only then an accurate counting of objects can be guaranteed.

Counting Eggs
For this the EyeVision uses a series of filters, which allows it to separate and count the eggs under these conditions. Due to the intuitive drag-and-drop programming of the EyeVision software, these filters are easily applied and can be used in other cases, where other similar objects have to be counted.

But before that, there is the question of a suitable illumination or respectively an image, which is high in contrast. Additionally the shadow of the eggs should be as little as possible, as the separation of the eggs from the background and from each other can become blurred. A strong contour is essential to count objects.

For illumination e.g. a back light can be considered. This will have the result, that the eggs appear dark against a bright background. Alternatively the eggs can be illuminated from above with a strong incident light, which will show the eggs bright on a dark background. In both cases a daylight shielding is recommended.

Counting Eggs
In our case, the second option was chosen – white eggs on black background – where the eggs are also separated clearly from the background. Several different filter commands are needed to separate and count the eggs, which are similar to each other in shape and color. The result are properly separated eggs, as shown in the Camera Viewer of the EyeVision software.

BrainLight R for a smart illumination

Posted on April 13, 2015 by FSI Technologies Inc.

BrainLight R for a smart illumination
The BrainLight R is a smart ring light developed by EVT. This LED illumination is easily configurable and has a RS232 connection for industrial use. With this light any combination of illumination patterns can be created. Additionally, the light not only regulates the illumination patterns, but also controls that the camera captures only one image per illumination scene.

Programmed patterns, called Frames, can be saved and can be automatically reloaded after each restart. The ring light is equipped with a RS232 or TTL UART interface and power supply of +5V or 12-24V.

There are also predefined light patterns available and the possibility to regulate the brightness of the LEDs. The ring light is divided into 8 segments, each with 3 LEDs. Each segment can be controlled individually and dimmed in its intensity.

The control for the camera is done via strobe, and a PlugIn for EyeVision software makes the illumination completely graphically programmable.