Machine vision has evolved significantly over the past forty years, and the demand for specialized solutions has increased in recent years. This article will explore current and future imaging requirements.

The growing use of AI in manufacturing has revolutionized quality control. Traditional inspection methods struggle to keep pace with complex production processes, but AI augments accuracy and efficiency, upholding high-quality standards.

Automated processes are vital in industrial production, with robots handling finished products and sorting parts for quality assurance. Equipped with 3D cameras and machine vision, they accurately identify and grasp items from disordered bins.

Initially seen as science fiction, machine vision in manufacturing faced hesitance due to high costs and lack of awareness. However, interest has surged, shifting the focus from "Can it be done?" to "How will we do it?" This reflects significant transformative changes in the industry.

Manufacturers focus on reducing their operating costs, but cannot afford buying more productive machinery.

79% of organizations are still managing shop floor quality processes with spreadsheets and paper. But the truth is, to remain competitive and reduce risk across your operations, it's time to modernize your programs and say goodbye to the spreadsheets.

Finding new talent can be an extremely difficult process for any organization, in any industry.

Are you a manufacturer researching ways to improve and increase productivity, as your cast parts become more complex?

How can a QMS help your organization to achieve a strategic culture of quality? What can you learn from the unique challenges other organizations face in different industries? 

Today’s manufactured components are more complex than ever, with more parts diversity, more model year changes and tighter tolerances than ever before.

The latest generation of scanCONTROL 30xx laser scanners is extremely powerful, precise and individually adaptable.  

While x-ray inspection of electronics has existed for several decades, the continuous shift in electronics design and manufacturing to smaller, more dense products, is driving x-ray technology forward.

For fast measurements of displacement, distance and position with high accuracy and resolution, laser triangulation sensors can be used in a variety of applications. The reasons are wear-free measurement, a large measuring range, high precision and easy installation.

Starrett is offering a comprehensive white paper that discusses why traditional approaches to measurement data collection are inefficient and error-prone without the ability to support IoT/ Industry 4.0. 

It is impossible to overestimate the critical nature of keen and constant visual inspection in any production process. That’s why an advanced vision system is vital for any of today’s advanced production lines – as well as for “yesterday’s” older and more issue-prone lines. 

Orthopedic implants must function flawlessly even under the most demanding physiological conditions in the human body. Download the white paper here.

A Nikon Metrology XT H 225 ST computed tomography imaging system at the University of Arkansas is enabling non-destructive, 2D and 3D study of the inside as well as the outside of a wide variety of objects. Download the white paper to read more.

In 1968, Zetec won a government contract to inspect steam generator tubing and developed an analog, single-frequency eddy current tester, a state-of-the-art instrument at the time. Over the next 20 years, Zetec’s eddy current testing equipment, training, and methodology became industry standards for nuclear power NDT, then in balance-of-plant and process industry applications.

Computed radiography, a form of X-ray imaging, has been embraced widely by many major manufacturing companies. Its application is now core for testing within a range of sectors including aerospace, oil and gas, industrial gas turbines, medical implants and prosthetics.

Women make up nearly one-third of the manufacturing industry workforce today.

The inspection industry has been critical in ensuring safety in the modern world and will play a key role in the transition to industry 4.0.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced approximately $187 million in funding, including $48 million of cost share, for 55 projects in 25 states to support innovative advanced manufacturing research and development.

Nondestructive testing of large components can be time consuming and requires several people to work quickly to minimize the impact of testing on the large component manufacturing process.

A leading aircraft manufacturer faces $27B in losses due to slow supply chain fixes, aggravated by escalating quality standards like AS9102 Rev C. The solution lies in seamless communication of requirements from buyers to suppliers, streamlining operations for all parties involved.

The thermal properties of polymeric materials are important to the function of components and assemblies that will operate in cold or warm environments.

The Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Thermoforming Division has named Ian Strachan as Thermoformer of the Year.

Through its memberships in America Makes, WMT&R joins other leading member organizations from industry, academia, government, non-government agencies, and workforce and economic development resources that are working together to innovate and accelerate additive manufacturing and 3-D printing.

This show hosted the highest number of exhibiting companies ever (2,407). After move in, the building was 76 million pounds heavier.

U.S. House vote is a step toward closing the skills gap.

The event will focus on the industrial applications of AM for making functional components and end-use production parts. Attendees will gain practical knowledge on AM adoption and implementation and can network with AM industry leaders.

A quality management system program ensures that products and services meet predefined standards, customer expectations, and company-wide benchmarks. One key principle is "first time right," addressing errors immediately at every step.

Liquid penetrant testing (LPT) is a versatile, portable, simple, and sensitive method for detecting surface defects. It can be used on a wide range of materials and is excellent at finding surface discontinuities such as defects, porosity, lack of fusion, or surface-breaking cracks.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries power many of our daily devices. However, manufacturing them requires scarce base metals and has supply and sustainability challenges. Battery recycling is vital for the supply chain. This article discusses using analytical technologies to maximize Li-ion materials and optimize production.

Accurate assessments of military and defense assets, especially ballistics, are crucial for battlefield success. Advanced CT X-ray nondestructive testing (NDT) and robotic systems integration have revolutionized inspections, enhancing quality control and safety.

FTIR is the primary method for material and contaminant identification but lacks sensitivity to metallic components. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) can fill this gap and improve identification accuracy.

Eddy current inspection is one of the five main non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in the industry, alongside liquid penetrant, magnetic particle, ultrasonic, and radiographic testing. Due to its complex theoretical basis, it is the least used and hardest to understand.

Corrosion prevention is vital for quality assurance in metal goods manufacturing. It helps avoid production delays and customer complaints from rust. Key strategies include four types of corrosion testing: VIA, humidity and salt fog, and iron chip testing. These tests aid in selecting effective protection methods and the right rust preventative dosage.

InspectionXpert Corporation announces the release of the new InspectionXpert OnDemand for CAD, a new quality planning and documentation software platform that supports both 3-D model-based and 2-D print-based formats.

Renishaw’s new EZ-IO software for the Equator Flexible Gauge makes it easy for automation integrators to configure communications between Equator systems and a cell controller.

The Renishaw Equator flexible gauge is now offered with the new INTUOTM gauging software, combined with a range of industry standard Renishaw probes.

FARO announces the release of CAM2 Measure 10.5, its latest software for the FaroArm, FARO ScanArm, FARO Laser Tracker, and FARO 3D Imager.

Mitutoyo America Corporation announced the latest version of MeasurLink software with a variety of functional improvements.

British coordinate measuring machine (CMM) manufacturer LK Metrology, Castle Donington, has announced the release of the latest version of its measurement, programming, simulation, analysis and reporting software.

Verisurf’s New Inspection Planner Suite lets users quickly and easily create and execute inspection plans for arms, trackers, scanners, and manual CMMs, including executing proven inspection plans on CNC CMMs.

QT9 Software launched QT9 QMS Version 16.0, adding two new modules and numerous improvements to its quality management software (QMS).

Enhanced LWIR thermal performance with leading SWaP provides low-risk integration for unmanned platforms, security applications, handhelds, wearables, and thermal sights.

The L.S. Starrett Co. will be demonstrating the latest in quality control inspection technology at IMTS Booth #134130 located in the Quality Assurance Pavilion, East Hall in McCormick Place, Chicago IL from Sept 9-14, 2024.

Verisurf Software, Inc. demonstrated its new Machine Tool Probing (MTP) suite at IMTS 2024. 

The new campus will focus on battery research, manufacturing, and recycling, with the West Midlands Gigafactory as its anchor tenant.

ROME—Automation firm Comau and aerospace supplier Leonardo S.p.A. are working together to develop self-adaptive robotic technology that can autonomously inspect helicopter blades up to 7 meters long.