The big picture

摘要

Smart cameras are playing a key role in applications ranging from engine assembly to intricate cake decorating Machine vision is now an established part of many automated production systems, forming a vital component of the inspection and quality stages. Matrox Imaging provides vision instruments to system integrators in a variety of sectors, from the heaviest engineering to food and drink. One such customer is ThyssenKrupp System Engineering, a US-based business of the large German engineering company that specialises in designing and building assembly and test systems for automotive powertrains. Recently, the company was commissioned by a manufacturer of construction and heavy engineering equipment to build an engine assembly line at a new plant in the south west of the US, with part of the contract stipulating that a vision system had to be included along the entire assembly line. This stemmed from a concern that the final test machines could fail engines owing to operator errors during assembly.