Examples
Machine Vision

Machine vision applications ranging from factory automation to 3-D surface measurement and automated surveillance has been developed by Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Examples below illustrate measurements and scene analysis results obtained from single frames or image sequences. Specialized lighting and sensor technologies are utilized, as appropriate, for each application.

Infrared Imaging Examples

SwRI has developed methods for nondestructive inspection and detection of defects using thermal infrared imaging and automated image analysis. This capability provides detection of defects that are difficult or impossible to detect using conventional imaging approaches. Infrared imaging also provides simplified analysis and greater signal strength for outdoor applications including security, worker safety, and highway safety.

Vision-Based Motion Control and Guidance

image: Position and orientation of hot billets are checked against process tolerances before forging.

Position and orientation of hot billets are
checked against process tolerances before
forging.


Image: Weld porosity is compared with specifications to ensure product quality. Width, length, and thickness of welds may also be measured. Robotic material handling allows optimal part presentation and system adaptability for inspection of a large variety of parts.

Weld porosity is compared with specifications to validate product quality. Width, length, and thickness of welds may also be measured. Robotic material handling allows optimal part presentation and system adaptability for inspection of a large variety of parts.

Inspection of Injection-Molded Parts

image: Compare this visible-wavelength image of an injection-molded image: Reduced rubber thickness at a deep sprue defect is detected using conductive heating.image: Flash lamp heating is used to detect a blister defect.

Compare this first visible-wavelength image of an injection-molded rubber part with the infrared images (right) acquired during thermal excitation.

Middle image: Reduced rubber thickness at a deep sprue defect is
detected using conductive heating.

Right image: Flash lamp heating is used to detect a blister defect.


image: infrared inspection of a brake seal revealing that an internal component is in the wrong position.

Infrared inspection of a brake seal reveals that an internal component is in the wrong position.

Motion Detection and Image Sequence Analysis

image: A frame from an infrared video sequence shows how automatic; image analysis identifies and tracks four people.

A frame from an infrared video sequence shows how automatic image analysis identifies and tracks four people.


image: Infrared imaging and image analysis identify lanes of traffic, edges of highway, and stalled vehicles or traffic accident.

Infrared imaging and image analysis identifies
lanes of traffic, edges of highway, and stalled
vehicles or traffic accident.


image: Infrared image analysis identifies and tracks deer crossing a road. Automatic driver alert could be posted on roadside message display.

Infrared image analysis identifies and tracks
deer crossing a road. Automatic driver alert
could be posted on roadside message display.
View video: Windows Media

Related Terminology

computer vision  •  machine vision  •  image processing  •  scene analysis  •  pattern recognition  •  model-based vision  •  sensor fusion  •  motion analysis  •  infrared image analysis  •  dimensional inspection  •  industrial inspection  •   process control

Benefiting government, industry and the public through innovative science and technology
Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®), headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a multidisciplinary, independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 11 technical divisions.
05/03/13