Tuesday, October 9, 2007

A Brief Introduction to Machine Vision

A machine vision camera usually abbreviated by MV is the type of computer vision made available to the manufacturing industry. Computer vision is different than machine vision in that is focuses on machine based images however machine vision focuses on input/output digital devices as well as computer networks to control certain types of equipment like a robotic arm or other similar device.

Machine vision is simply a field all its own that includes engineering topics such as optics, mechanical engineering, computer science, and also industrial automation. The way machine vision is so popular is because it frequently uses an industrial camera to inspect goods like pharmaceuticals, automobiles, semiconductor chips, and food. A fire wire camera, smart camera, digital camera, or other type of image processing to inspect workmanship of different products.

Machine vision systems have very specific jobs to perform. For example, machine vision programs are programmed to simply count items on a conveyor belt or else read serial numbers. In some instances they may search products for defects along the surface of the product. Manufacturers like machine vision programs that provide visual inspection that works around the clock. This includes machine vision systems that offer high magnification and high speed. Humans used to offer this service but humans typically are more easily distracted and do not do as good a job as machine vision cameras might.

Of course, humans are better able to distinguish between certain defects or understand quicker new policies. But, machine vision does a better job in the long run because they are not distracted, work tirelessly, and can work 24 hours per day. The problem is that cameras are not exactly the same as human eyes and the machine vision is programmed to notice one particular problem whereas humans can pick up on a lot of different things. Nevertheless new types of software are being created to help machine vision become even better and be able to pick up on several different problems at once. Manufacturers are really excited about the technology and cant wait for it to improve even more in order to implement it. Only the future knows where the technology will go but the way it looks right now computers and cameras may one day replace many more human jobs in manufacturing positions. Its possible that in the future computers and machine vision may be the only ones with these types of jobs!

Caitlina Fuller is a freelance writer. The way machine vision is so popular is because it frequently uses an industrial camera to inspect goods like pharmaceuticals, automobiles, semiconductor chips, and food. A firewire camera, smart camera, digital camera, or other type of image processing to inspect workmanship of different products. Machine vision systems have very specific jobs to perform. For example, machine vision programs are programmed to simply count items on a conveyor belt or else read serial numbers.