High speed parts inspection from tiny package

A Panasonic Electric Works UK product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Aug 4, 2000

In addition to its exceptional performance, Matsushita's A-Series vision system is easily the smallest in its class, so much so that it makes its camera seem big by comparison.

It is not often that a true milestone in technology and product development is witnessed, but Matsushita Electric Works' latest vision system is one of them.

The product is the company's new ultra-compact high-speed A-Series vision system that boasts an unmatched performance from the most compact of sizes.

In addition to its exceptional performance, Matsushita's A-Series is easily the smallest in the world in its class, so much so that it makes its camera seem big by comparison.

The A-Series represents the first in a new generation of vision systems.

Not only is it tiny - measuring just 120 x 74 x 40mm - but it features performance parameters previously only found in far larger and more expensive vision systems.

The A-Series allows extremely fast parts inspection with high-quality pictures yet with no image degradation.

A novel feature for such a relatively low-cost vision system is the special image trigger function.

This allows the usual timing sensor to be dispensed with and makes the A-Series ideal for the inspection of very small objects where, previously, detecting them was critical and difficult.

This is just one aspect of performance that distinguishes Matsushita's A-Series from the competition.

Another aspect is that this very powerful inspection tool also allows the simultaneous operation of two cameras, a feature that makes for highly detailed measurement and inspection where required, and all at very high speed.

Speed is one of the key aspects of the A-Series.

It is very much the fastest in its class with its high-speed sub-pixel detection of objects within a processing time envelope of around 10ms.

The A-Series vision system is unique in its capabilities, pound for pound, both in terms of weight and cost.

Matsushita has given it a broad spectrum of powerful features.

For example, it has been designed - despite its high functionality - to be easy to set up and use.

It has been equipped with various communication channels (two RS232C and a PLC link function), and is highly effective at detecting edge positions with its sub-pixel grey-scale edge measurement and counting.

In addition, the A-Series provides automatic adjustment and precise inspection of objects even if they have been tilted or displaced on, for example, a conveyor belt.

Moreover, parts inspection is made even easier, more accurate and more versatile through the use of the exposure correction function.

This automatically corrects for variation in illumination or background brightness that can so often make objects difficult to inspect consistently.

Yet another advanced feature is the improved binary processing function.

This provides the user with benefits such as inspection area/ object shape matching and a range of inspection disciplines.

All of these functions, many of which can only be normally found on much larger and more expensive vision systems, make for a system that is highly flexible in use, efficient, simple to configure and easy to use.

Matsushita's A-Series vision system, which measures a just 120 x 40mm (footprint) and which can be DIN-rail mounted, allows multiple object detection and the detection of objects of varying sizes and shapes, and all at high-speed with great accuracy.

This highly innovation new introduction by Matsushita really does give it an important lead over its competitors.

It also gives tremendous functionality and value for money to its users.