Impact of Industrial Cameras on Automation and Quality Control in Manufacturing Processes

Industrial Cameras are an indispensable, reliable, and strong choice for production automation. They are the key to machine vision as they capture valuable information, store, and archive it. This allows software to make decisions based on the image information. As a result of this improved manufacturing quality and performance, manufacturers reduce production costs and increase customer satisfaction.

Industrial Camera Industry Overview

Embedded systems with on-device processing

Embedded vision has gained popularity in the field of industrial inspection. It refers to camera usage and other imaging technologies with on-device processing, such as industrial machines and robots. They capture and process images instantly and inspect products, components, and process quickly. With its help, machines detect anomalies in products and materials. It also monitors production lines for quality control and performs predictive maintenance to prevent breakdowns and downtime. This not only saves time and money but also improves efficiency and safety in the workplace. The adoption of imaging technology in industrial inspection is a consequence of the industry 4.0 revolution.

Enhanced quality control and increased efficiency

Industrial cameras inspect and immediately identify product defects. It helps them to meet high standards before reaching customers. They streamline inspection processes by quickly capturing and analyzing images and outpace manual checks. This speed allows manufacturers to assess a high volume of items each hour, which boosts efficiency. Companies reduce waste and lower costs by automating quality checks. It leads to better products and increased customer satisfaction as businesses deliver consistent quality to their customers.

For example, Tipteh’s network cameras have strong surveillance capacities appropriate for exterior use or monitoring difficult interior spaces. These IP cameras stand out for their extremely rapid frame rates and high resolutions. They are easy to install and guarantee outstanding image quality and high performance in low-light situations. This makes them eligible for various applications in the industrial camera market.

Teledyne acquired FLIR to expand its portfolio in imaging and sensing technologies in 2021. The merger combined expertise in thermal imaging and industrial cameras, enhancing automation in quality control. Basler also partnered with HIK Vision to integrate advanced camera technologies into their industrial solutions in 2020. This collaboration aimed to elevate quality assurance in manufacturing through better imaging solutions.

Improving safety in the production process

Industrial cameras observe manufacturing processes remotely. They also identify hazards without putting workers at risk. In addition, the cameras trigger alerts before accidents occur, detecting chances like equipment malfunctions or unsafe working conditions. Moreover, they are used to monitor compliance with safety protocols, ensuring that employees follow guidelines. These cameras help create a safer workspace, reducing dangers and improving oversight in environments where security is the main concern.

Honeywell’s collaboration with Intel® Vision Products in 2019

Honeywell announced a first-of-its-kind technology integration with Intel in 2019 integrating new AI functions in its MAXPRO® connected security platform. The new security platform, which supported MAXPRO Network Video Recorders and Video Management Systems, incorporated Intel® Vision products that enabled advanced analytics, deep learning, and facial recognition. These greatly enhanced security solutions saved time and cost by significantly reducing false alarms and met compliance requirements such as the General Data Protection Regulation through identity anonymization.

The incorporation of Intel Vision Products into the Honeywell MAXPRO NVR and VMS products resulted in solutions that enhanced site security and operator productivity. These customizable products accelerated the processing time of each video stream and increased the number of cameras that stream in real-time through a single device.

The crux

In the automated industrial landscape, the use of industrial cameras is becoming a standard. They have notably upgraded inspection, increased efficiency, and reduced costs of the production process. Moreover, they assist in providing security, support automation efforts, and allow data-driven decision-making. Camera technology has thus become indispensable for the implementation of inspection tasks in thousands of applications, as billions of products worldwide need to be inspected each day.