Vision Processing Right on the Camera: SICK Launches Inspector83
SICK has released a new 2D vision series for high-production environments with ‘out-of-the-box’ AI capabilities, enabling high-quality machine inspections within minutes after installation.
SICK, a leader in industrial sensor-based applications, has recently announced the launch of the new Inspector83x 2D vision sensor series promising to deliver high-precision AI-based results for quality control, inspection, and assembly verifications.
For companies that lack AI-trained engineers and operators, the goal of the Inspector83x system is to be easier to configure on initial setup, with only a few image snapshots required before beginning the real-world tasks. This simplified teach-in process is useful not only for initial task setup, but also for any future change in the process or product configuration.
SICK's Inspector83x 2D Vision Sensor with straight out-of-the-box AI capabilities. Image used courtesy of SICK
SICK’s Inspector83x 2D Camera Hardware
The new vision system is equipped with powerful ring light illumination (white 6,500 K) and the camera element provides a resolution of up to 5 MP, allowing the device to deliver enhanced clarity in poor lighting conditions while maintaining the accuracy of captured images. The series includes 10 models with varying focal lengths between 8 and 25 mm.
The Inspector83x features a dedicated Ethernet/IP port that can easily handle TCP/IP integration, data logging, and the transfer of high-resolution images. The vision sensor features dual 10/100 Ethernet and PROFINET integration and, with its built-in export function, can interface with most common PLC types.
Equipped with seven inputs and five outputs, the Inspector83x can adjust its camera’s image for precision and accuracy, as well as trigger other machine responses.
Inspector83x Processor Hardware
For enhanced performance, the vision sensor boasts a powerful quad-core CPU that supports high-speed data transfer, making it possible to process up to 15 AI inspections per second directly from the device.
Since the sensor processes the images directly onboard, it can relay the output results to the machine controller as either sensor values or as pass/fail results.
Improving upon its predecessors in speed and accuracy, the Inspector83x’s performance is ideal for fast-moving industries including automotive, food & bev, packaging, and any others that need fast and reliable inspections. The Inspector83x is targeted to handle complex inspections including anomaly classifications, defect detection, and character recognition and verification (OCR/OCV).
The new machine vision technology is equipped with sufficient communication and I/O ports for standalone or controller network integration. Image (modified) used courtesy of SICK
Advanced AI integration and Ease of Use
SICK’s Nova foundation software is available as a pre-installed application. Taking the simple, standard set-up a few steps further, this solution includes a host of plug-ins that are used to build custom applications and loaded to a 2D or 3D vision system over a web interface. This eliminates the need for a machine vision expert or long problem-solving to program inspections successfully.
The top of the camera includes a USB-C connector, which allows a PC connector for easy AI teaching, which, according to SICK, can be accomplished with as few as five example images. The ability of the sensor to learn by examples eliminates the complexities involved with a product change because the machine-learning sensor automatically adapts to the new conditions (light, contrast, orientation, angle, etc).
For more extensive projects with a large pool of data and complex scenes, users can train their neural network by leveraging the computational power of the SICK dStudio cloud service, and later, exporting it to the machine vision controller for the actual execution. This cloud service offers simplicity in its use and allows for collaboration and management of data.
Machine Vision: Versatility and Reliability
Designed for versatility, the Inspector83x features an expandable design that supports the integration of accessories, and is projected to have a color imager and a near-infrared variant (NIR) available later this year. Considering the variety of current (and future) capabilities, the new Inspector83x series of vision sensors provides customers with performance, user-friendliness, and flexibility for adaptation to an endless variety of inspection needs.
