FSI Machine Vision: Wood Inspection System (FyrEye 2710)

Posted on January 9, 2013 by FSI Technologies Inc.

Wood Inspection System The FyrEye 2710 family of machine vision system is the ideal solution for handling automatic inspection of your wood products. Designed for your specific application by our vision engineers, this system is capable of handling products such as: moldings, dimension lumber, flooring and tongue-and-groove products. Inspections can include identification or measurement of various criteria. Typical inspections include identification of chips, gouges, voids, surface defects, codes and markings. If you think this type of system would benefit your manufacturing processes, please visit Wood Inspection System (FyrEye 2710) for more information.

Implement Automatic Inspection in 2013 and Make it Your Profitable Year!

Posted on November 26, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

Wouldn’t it be nice to start realizing serious cost efficiencies in 2013? Take steps towards implementing automatic inspection in your manufacturing facility. An informational seminar might be the perfect first step in understanding what benefits machine vision can provide you. Call FSI for upcoming dates on an Introductory Machine Vision course that can give you the information you need – 630-932-9380.

Would your application benefit from a customized sensor?

Posted on November 19, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

Sensor In addition to encoders and machine vision systems/solutions, FSI Technologies Inc. designs and manufactures custom photoelectric sensors too. Many OEMs use sensors as an inexpensive and effective way of assisting in automatic inspection. Sensors are most often used to measure speed (or RPM), presence or absence of a part and as a way to calculate distance/positioning. If you think your application would benefit from a leading edge, specialized sensor product, one of our engineers can steer you in the right direction. For more information about FSI sensors, visit www.fsinet.com/ECS-Sensors.htm

Proper filters can make the difference

Posted on November 12, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

Another important component of a successful machine vision system is choosing the appropriate filter. The right filter can dramatically improve the work efficiency of a vision system. Filters are used to increase contrast, separate color or control camera exposure. When increased contrast is achieved, a system has greater accuracy and can sometimes operate at an increased speed. Filters also help to protect the lenses behind them. FSI Technologies Inc. can offer a wide variety of filters to meet the needs of many different types of applications. Filter types include “bandpass filters”, “polarizing filters”, “longpass filters” and “neutral density” filters.

FSI Machine Vision – High Frequency Florescent or LED?

Posted on November 5, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

High Frequency Florescent or LED A properly engineered lighting solution is one of the most important components of an automatic inspection system. Manufacturers often wonder what type of light will do the best job. LED lights have become a popular choice for machine vision lighting in recent years for a variety of reasons:

Bright, targeted light is emitted
Light never fades, bulbs rarely burn out
Ideal for applications that need a light with a high cycling rate

However, often times the wiser choice is to go with a high-frequency fluorescent light. Advantages to this type of light are:

More economical
Bright, uniform light over a larger emissive area

The type of inspection you are doing, the differences you are attempting to highlight and your overall budget will lead you towards the ideal light for your solution. For more information about machine vision lighting, visit www.fsinet.com/Vision-Lighting.htm.

Product News: FSI/EVT ChipEye 5-Side

Posted on October 15, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

In collaboration with our partners, EyeVision Technologies, FSI is proud to announce our “ChipEye 5-Side” inspection system. This system is designed to inspect components from 5 different angles (top and four sides) at the same time. When used in combination with a specialized software solution, “Chip Control”, this unit is uniquely suited to inspect semiconductor parts. It has a robust, industrial-strength frame and features a 5-megapixel camera that can detect even the tiniest of defects and measurements equal to a micrometer. A standard model supports an image field of 5 x 5 mm, accuracy up to 1 micrometer and resolution of 640 x 480. If you think this system sounds appropriate for your application, please consider speaking with one of our Engineers about it at 630-932-9380.

FSI Machine Vision System – Experimental systems available for purchase

Posted on October 1, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

Experimental systems Are you looking for a fully-equipped and factory tested machine vision system for experimental use at a reasonable price? The FSI Technologies Inc. Experimental system may be right for you. FSI offers four different models to choose from depending on what software and camera-style you need. For more information on the technical specifications of our systems, visit: http://www.fsinet.com/Express/Express-Experimental-System.htm.

Encoders – Usage and Application Examples

Posted on September 27, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

Encoders are commonly used to provide feedback for motor speed control, length measurement and line/product positioning. FSI encoders are built using a rugged aluminum housing that contains precision bearings and electronics. They feature a shaft that protrudes from the side of the encoder. Hollowshaft encoders feature a “hole in the middle” and are mounted over an existing shaft on a motor. A few practical examples for encoder installations are:

Conveyors
CNC machines
Process lines
Rolling Mills
Automatic Welding

Applications

Motor Speed/RPM readout – This is one of the more common ways encoders are used. Here, the encoder is mounted onto the end of a motor via a shaft. The encoder’s shaft measures the speed and direction of the motor and provides feedback to the drive. The drive then uses the encoder feedback to accurately control the speed.
Linear Measurement/Cut-to-Length – In this instance, an encoder is mounted onto roller or motor and is used alongside a measuring wheel. The encoder provides a fixed number of pulses in a revolution. A device (such as a preset counter or PLC) is used with the encoder. This device can then deliver a relay or electrical output which operates when the desired length is reached.

Position Measurement – To assess and control positioning (as necessary for a CNC machine or for a programmable limit switch), often an encoder is added to a motor, to an intermediate axle shaft, or both. The important variable in this set-up is incremental movement. Again, a counter, PLC or controller is used. The use of an encoder allows the operator to control both the speed and the position of the parts within the machine.

FSI Machine Vision/NeuroCheck Training Course

Posted on September 24, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

FSI Technologies Inc. will be hosting its Winter 2012 NeuroCheck/Machine Vision training seminar in the western suburbs of Chicago on November 5-6, 2012. This is a 2 ½ day seminar covers courses MVC-101, MVC-102 and MVC-201 and includes topics such as:

Machine vision technologies, architectures, evolution and purposes
Tips for successful machine vision project implementation
NeuroCheck software – tools and usage including:
- Image acquisition
- Presence verification
- Character recognition
- Print quality inspection
- Robot guidance
- Pattern recognition
- Gauging

Class location will be confirmed closer to the date. Please sign up at least 3 weeks in advance in order to secure your spot in the class. For more information about our upcoming training courses visit: http://www.fsinet.com/Training-Overview.htm.

Product News: FSI/EVT EyeCheck Smart Camera

Posted on September 17, 2012 by FSI Technologies Inc.

FSI/EVT’s latest Smart Camera, the EyeCheck has a CPU core based on state of the art ARM technology with up to 1 GHz target clock and image processing acceleration by DSP. It has a Linux operating system with GUI. In addition, this tiny vision system has:
EVT EyeCheck Smart Camera

Compact size – card-sized
Global shutter CMOS and CCD-Sensors
VGA, WideVGA up to 5 Megapixel grayscale and color sensors
Memory: DDR Ram 512 MB
I/O Interface has SPS 2 In/4-Out with option of 4-In/8-Out
VGA Monitor, RS232, USB 2.0
Lenses: S-mount with option CS-mount, s-mount or motorzoom
Illumination: Optional LED ring light in a variety of colors

If you are interested in more information about the EyeCheck Smart Camera, call 630-932-9380.