The implementation of automated vision inspection systems in amodern manufacturing plant and their effect on efficiency

摘要

This paper describes a joint project between the School ofEngineering, Durham University and Philips Components to investigate theimplementation of an automated vision inspection system. This was toreplace an existing manual inspection system in the aluminising area ofthe Philips colour television tube factory in Durham. A comparison ismade between area-scan and line-scan vision systems in terms of cost,reliability and effectiveness and the deciding factors in the choice ofsuch systems are discussed. The hardware and software of three PC basedsystems are described together with the associated problems ofimplementation in an operational production line. Their predictedeffects on factory efficiency are discussed together with a predictionof future trends in the use of such systems in the `Factory of theFuture'