2. Commercial Vision Systems

Some companies make vision systems to support the robotics and automation industry. These systems can very quickly process images and provide information for quality control applications. Perhaps the leading such company is Cognex, which uses MATLAB for development of their algorithms and implements product solutions using Python, C/C++ and VHDL.

The most common interface to commercial systems and other machines is via a PLC controllers. Although, they can interface to active robot control systems for Visual Servoing applications.

This Cognex Video describes the important role of commercial vision systems in manufacturing.

2.1. What can they do?

According to literature from Cognex, measurement, counting, location, and decoding are some of the most common applications for machine vision in manufacturing today. Companies use Cognex vision and ID in their manufacturing processes to improve product quality, guide assembly robots, and track items through each stage of production and distribution.

Download this interactive training module to see an example of how one can program a Cognex vision system for product inspections.

2.2. Why study machine vision algorithms?

Without doubt, the engineer needing to use machine vision in a manufacturing environment should work with vendors such as Cognex. In this use case, the algorithms that we discuss in this class will have been implemented by the vendor.

I was once told that I should focus my teaching in this class on how to program and use commercial vision systems and not waste time teaching about how the algorithms work because the algorithms are implemented by the vendors. I can not even begin to tell you how much that I disagree with this recommendation. Here are some reasons why I think it is beneficial to learn a little bit about how machine vision algorithms work.

• An educated person should have a general background in the topics that they work with, even if they do not need to implement them themselves. Learning a few things in college that may never be used directly is to be expected and builds breadth to one’s eduction.
• In robotics research and development outside of the realm of manufacturing, commercial solutions are much less likely to be used.
• Some students may sometime work for companies, such as Cognex, where they will be expected to understand the fundamental algorithms of machine vision.
• It is fun!