Set up the Inspection Tools

The In-Sight Vision Tools and EasyBuilder Location and Inspection Tools are used for:

Inspection: Presence/Absence, Defect Analysis, Pattern Matching
Identification: Colors, Data Codes, Lot Codes, Serial Numbers, Text
Measurements: Gauging, Counting, Locating

Based upon the image analysis, select the appropriate tools for your inspection:

Blob tools are used when locating splotch-like features, and the feature's size and shape may vary somewhat, from part to part. Blobs can be used in both Inspection and Measurement applications. For more information, see Blob.
Color tools are used to identify and match objects based on their color data. Color tools require an In-Sight color vision system, and these tools can be used in Inspection, Identification and Measurement applications. For more information, see Color.
Edge tools are used to find either circular, curved or straight edges - distinct discontinuities between pixel greyscale values. Edge tools are typically used in Inspection and Measurement applications. For more information, see Edge.
Flaw Detection tools are used to perform advanced pattern matching analysis to verify the presence/absence of defects. These tools are typically used in Inspection applications, while also being used in some Measurement applications. For more information, see Flaw Detection.
Histogram tools return data about pixel values, such as their contrast or average greyscale (or color) value. For more information, see Histogram.
ID tools are used to identify 1D and 2D codes and symbols in Identification applications. Found codes/symbols can also provide position data for other types of inspections. For more information, see ID.
Image tools are used to used to enhance or diminish features in the image, for further image analysis or used by other functions. These tools can be used on their own for Inspection and Measurement applications, or used as input images to other Vision Tools. For more information, see Image.
InspectEdge tools are used to perform advanced edge analysis, measuring the location of edges, the location and spacing of edge pairs and the width of edges, to determine if there are defects or gaps in the edges. These tools are used in Inspection and Measurement applications. For more information, see InspectEdge.
OCR/OCV tools are used to read and/or verify alphanumeric characters, such as ABC/123. These tools are typically used in Identification applications, and like the ID tools, the found text can also provide position information for other types of inspections. For more information, see OCV/OCR.
Pattern Matching is based on area and other geometric criteria. For more information, see Pattern Match.

Tip: When configuring tools, it's best to load several images of the part, so they may be played back and the tools' ranges and thresholds can be adjusted to compensate for the variations. The images should contain the expected range of acceptable variations the part is allowed to exhibit, as well as several of known failure quality.

Color, Flaw Detection, InspectEdge and Pattern tools are typically the slowest, but most accurate, while the Blob, Histogram, ID and OCV/OCR tools are somewhere between, with the Edge tools being the fastest.

Note: The EasyBuilder Location and Inspection Tools are categorized by their application functionality.

Fixtures

If the part will exhibit movement in the image, a fixture, which locates a feature on the part and orients the other vision tools to where they should perform their inspection, will need to be created. The fixture can be based on a pattern, blob or edge feature, depending on the type of movement the part exhibits. In situations where the part moves in only a horizontal or vertical direction, edges may be used to fixture other tools. Where angular orientation is not a requirement, and the shape is roughly the same in each image, blobs may be used. When precise coordinates are required, and the feature may exhibit translation or slight changes in scale or size, patterns are very effective.

Calibration

For Measurement applications, especially, converting the pixel coordinates returned by the vision system into real-world coordinates is very important. In the EasyBuilder development environment, in the Set Up Image step, use the Calibrate Image to Real World Units group box to configure pixel results as real world measurement units. In the Spreadsheet, the Calibration tools are used. For more information, see Calibrate.

Logic

Logic for the job, such as configuring a tool to only function based on the results or another tool or set of tools, can be added through the use of the Math & Logic Tools in the Inspect Part step of the EasyBuilder development environment, and conditional references, cell states and Mathematics Functions in the Spreadsheet development environment. Additional image enhancement and modification tools can also be added to filter and further process the image prior to inspection. For more information, see Cell References - Relative/Absolute, Cell State Dialog and Mathematics Functions.