SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Machine
Vision

Examples
 

Search SwRI

    

SwRI Home | Print Version

Request More Info

Research

Capabilities

Examples

Contact Us

SwRI Information

Home

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has developed machine vision applications ranging from factory automation to 3-D surface measurement and automated surveillance. 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.

 

Vision-based Motion Control and Guidance

image of position and orientation of hot billets being checked against process tolerances before forging.

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

 

image of weld porosity, which is compared with specifications to ensure product quality

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.

 

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.

 

Inspection of injection-molded parts

 

image of visible-wavelength image of an injection-molded rubber part image of reduced rubber thickness image of flash lamp heating, which is used to detect a blister defect

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

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

Flash lamp heating is used to detect a blister defect.

 

image of 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 of a frame from an infrared video sequence showing 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 of infrared imaging and image analysis that identifies lanes of traffic, edges of highway, and stalled vehicles or traffic accident. image of infrared image analysis that identifies and tracks deer crossing a road.

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

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

 

For more information about machine vision examples and capabilities at SwRI or how you can contract with SwRI, please contact Michael Rigney, Ph.D. at mrigney@swri.org or (210) 522-5104.
 

Contact Information

Michael Rigney, Ph.D.

Machine Vision

(210) 522-5104

mrigney@swri.org

Related Terminology

automation

machine vision

robotics

process review

custom systems

facility integration

applied research

| Manufacturing Systems Department | Automation and Data Systems Division | SwRI Home |

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.

September 30, 2008