What is machine vision?

Machine vision is a technology that, with the help of Artificial Intelligence (AI)detects objects and takes pictures. Vision is technology and at the same time a prerequisite for industrial automation. It is a sub-area of Computer Vision.

An algorithm is used to classify each individual photo and the objects displayed are given their own keywords. Good object recognition is very helpful for automated processing. This way, optical signs, patterns and objects are recognised.

Using computer vision models, objects can now be classified and localised. Large amounts of data are searched to create motion analyses, image descriptions and image reconstructions.

Using these technologies and methods, the Product quality significantly improved and production significantly accelerated become. Machine vision thus contributes significantly to improving the work and process quality of industrial plants. Further applications can be found in security technology (biometrics, camera monitoring) and in material testing such as quality assurance of automation and traffic technology.

What technology does machine vision need?

In the context of machine vision, in addition to automated software based on artificial intelligence, excellent and novel technical solutions are always sought. Important components of optical image capture are:

  • Cameras
  • Objective
  • Image sensors
  • Lighting technology
  • Frame grabbers (circuit unit)
  • Control elements (for data transmission or communication)

Camera types exist for a wide variety of applications. These range from simple two-dimensional images to taking thermal images, thermal anomalies and X-rays to detect microscopic defects and metal fatigue.

What systems and solutions exist on the market?

There are different systems for machine vision. So can extracts extensive information from images and videos with Microsoft Azure be used. With optical character recognition (OCR), printed or handwritten texts are recognised and extracted from images. With image analysis, you can benefit from an extensive ontology that directly uses more than 10,000 concepts and objects to add value to virtual resources.

Other excellent solutions for image recognition are available from companies such as Matrox and Power Arena.