Increasing Throughput with an Embedded Vision System

THE CHALLENGE

A large agricultural corporation was seeking a better way to inspect a tray of 600 seeds. Each seed in the tray needed to be analyzed individually and identically, but current self-developed methods were heavily reliant on human input. These methods were too slow and results varied from inspector to inspector.

THE SOLUTION

Our solution was multi-faceted in nature and driven with an embedded vision system. Three individual, high resolution cameras using multiple lighting solutions image the entire tray and provide feedback almost instantly. Trays and tray wells are analyzed individually by self-adjusting inspection criteria as the inspection region scans trays under multiple cameras.

THE RESULT: A SELF-ADJUSTING INTELLIGENT INSPECTION

Inspections, including counting the number of seeds per tray well, surveying the seed surface for fractures, and analyzing the seed color distribution, became consistent across plants. To maintain a level of objectivity while accounting for natural variations, the inspection criteria self-adjusts to handle differences among the seeds. The recipe management system is able to store, recall, and share individual seed inspection parameters, providing data and feedback in seconds. Quality Assurance personnel can automatically capture all data and images and store them on the company network for future use and continuous analysis.

Massive Throughput Increase

Inspections that were previously taking hours per day are now taking seconds to complete. The vision system generated results in milliseconds, while keeping the complex inspection logic hidden from the operator with a simple, but detailed interface.

Reduction in Labor Cost

Now a single operator, rather than a team of employees, can perform the task of seed tray analysis. Inspections are now non-subjective 24-hours a day, seven days a week for 365 days a year.

Consistent Inspections

Because seed data can be stored, recalled, and shared among locations, inspections are now consistent across all plants. Seed count per well in a tray, surface texture, and color distribution can now be analyzed individually with consistent results.

MACHINE VISION SYSTEM ENGINEERING

You can make more when you can measure the product of your process. Machine vision systems bring emerging technologies to the entire factory to empower your team, and drive performance and savings.