Vision sensors monitor tiny antennas

The Cognex In-Sight 5401 incorporating PatMax can match the PCB assembly on the part with a 180 degree tolerance.

With the overriding market trend for smaller products across many industry sectors, companies are obliged to review and redesign their products on a regular basis.

Particularly relevant for devices such as mobile phones and personal navigation devices (PND), the demand for more compact units is continually on the increase.

Sarantel develops and manufactures miniature filtering antennas for mobile, wireless and handheld devices.

Changes in the required size of antennas have led the company to invest in a vision system which could offer higher resolution capability.

The main issue with the original vision system was lack of flexibility within the programme and with the size of the product ever-decreasing, the sensor's ability to identify filters and pattern matches was being compromised.

Sarantel began looking for a new vision sensor which would accurately read the required patterns and investing half a day in a vision seminar at Multipix certainly reaped its rewards.

Following a demonstration on the Cognex products available, Sarantel realised it had found the sensors capable of reading the required patterns on each antenna.

The sensor chosen was the Cognex In-Sight 5401 incorporating PatMax which offers the ability to match the PCB assembly on the part with a 180 degree tolerance.

The system also recognises the individual part and offers easier on-site programming as well as the ability to access the system remotely.

Two Sarantel managers attended the free In-Sight training at the Cognex offices in Milton Keynes and following their training, were able to integrate the system internally.

Each cylindrical antenna is 9mm in height and 7.5mm in diameter and each tray containing the antennas is placed under the sensor for reading.

The sensors are used specifically to identify four location co-ordinates, or fiducials, on each part.

These fiducials are used for part tuning and laser trimming so there can be no room for error.

The positions are so small that accurate part location readings are vital, with the added challenge of a part arriving in a slightly different orientation each time.

Ian Green, Maintenance Manager at Sarantel commented, "We have been able to experiment a lot more with the quick nature of the programming".

"Overall, it has given us more flexibility and the ability to find the part itself more accurately".

"Cognex has allowed us to look into the future without forgetting our past".

"With the proven success of the In-Sight sensor, we intend to replace the existing sensors used on our production lines".

Sarantel are just one of the many companies that have benefited from attending a Multipix imaging seminar.

These free-to-attend seminars are held on a regular basis and Multipix welcomes anyone that is keen to learn more about machine vision.

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