SwRI: Examples of machine vision technologies

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.

 

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.

 

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.

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Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) is an independent, nonprofit, applied engineering and physical sciences research and development organization with 12 technical divisions using multidisciplinary approaches to problem solving. The Institute occupies more than 1,200 acres and provides nearly two million square feet of laboratories, test facilities, workshops, and offices for more than 3,300 employees who perform contract work for industry and government clients.