Computer Vision in Manufacturing Industry

Over the past decade, computer vision has become the most used technology in manufacturing technology. From the use of computer vision in warehouses to sophisticated robotics in R&D labs, it is having a substantial impact at every level of the production process. Furthermore, computer vision-assisted manufacturing decreases production failures, improves product quality, provides operational flexibility, saves time and money, and promotes productivity.
June 17, 2022

In the manufacturing industry, computer vision is already making a significant impact. Human vision can be useful for qualitative interpretations, but nothing compares to the speed, accuracy, and capability of computer vision when it comes to quantitative operations. Large production units can benefit from a CV system that includes high-resolution cameras, lenses, and AI integration. Consider how much time manual inspection takes on assembly lines when inspecting complex machine parts. Modern CV systems aren't just for structural and repetitive duties anymore. They can function admirably in even the most difficult circumstances, putting manual methods to the test.

Computer Vision Use Cases in the Manufacturing Industry

Such chores can be completed in minutes by computer visions without requiring any personal touch with the equipment. While machine vision has a plethora of uses in manufacturing, let's look at a few examples of how CV may assist every manufacturing unit increase productivity and income. The following are some examples of use cases:

  1. Product Assembly

In the industrial industry, computer vision is advantageous to product assembly operations. It's easy to see how automation is becoming more important in the manufacturing sector. Almost every industrial behemoth you're familiar with is employing automated product assembly lines to increase production output. The 3D model designs created using specific software are provided by computer vision. It aids the system in precisely executing the assembly procedures. It also aids in the continuous monitoring of automated machinery and employees to ensure efficient product assembly operations. It also aids manual assembly procedures by giving employees instructions and monitoring progress to verify that all steps are completed correctly. Furthermore, CV can assist you in avoiding product recalls, ensuring customer satisfaction and more.

  1. Defect Detections

When it comes to detecting current or potential flaws in manufacturing processes, production lines frequently fall short of 100 percent accuracy. Manufacturers and customers may suffer losses as a result of these flaws. It can also lead to increased consumer unhappiness, which can be catastrophic to a company. By recognizing macro and micro level flaws in the production line, machine vision is assisting industrial units in avoiding such situations. Investing in computer vision-based defect detection systems can assist enterprises in eliminating flaws from their production processes. Computer vision systems based on AI can assist with cameras and algorithms that can prevent any mishaps caused by faults.

  1. Safety and Security

Worker safety is a big problem for manufacturing companies all around the world. In industries where workers work in high-risk environments, AI-powered computer vision systems can help to lessen the likelihood of unpleasant incidents. The method of having a team member sit in front of a screen to observe workplace movements is prone to errors. To avoid accidents, machine vision can assist in ensuring that proper safety and security requirements are followed on workstations. Even if an accident occurs, computer vision assists management in determining the location and severity of the incident. It aids in the implementation of suitable safety measures for personnel and equipment. A computer vision system aids in the creation of a better working environment while also ensuring our safety.

  1. Packaging Standards

Maintaining packaging standards is critical to ensuring the end items' safety. CV is particularly successful at ensuring that all product packaging is correct and that there are no packaging problems that could result in a product recall. In some companies, counting the number of things before packing them is required. In businesses like pharmaceuticals and retail, relying on these products can become tedious and error-prone. Computer vision can assist in performing these activities accurately and avoiding errors throughout the packing process. It may also assist in preventing damaged packing from exiting the production facility. In addition, enterprises can monitor if items meet packaging criteria for measurements, color, and other characteristics.

  1. Maintenance Needs Prediction

Predicting maintenance needs in manufacturing units that use heavy machinery to carry out production is always critical. Mechanical parts, for example, are commonly degraded in processes that use extreme temperatures and conditions to facilitate manufacture. If the corporation fails to recognize these maintenance requirements, it risks shutting down production lines and potentially causing deadly accidents. Computer vision can assist in the monitoring of machinery and equipment in order to detect maintenance requirements before it is too late. By finding derivations from metrics specified to identify corrosion, degradation, and other issues, the machine vision system may warn the appropriate departments. It compares the new photographs to old images in the database to look for any irregularities that could lead to harmful circumstances at work. It also aids in the avoidance of physical contact with machinery during manual inspections. Limiting physical touch reduces the likelihood of machinery wear and tear throughout this operation.

  1. Robots Vision

The vision-guided robotic deployments in manufacturing units can aid companies implementing the Industry 4.0 strategy by bringing automation and data sharing techniques in the manufacturing industry. CV plays an important part in guiding the robots that work on the assembly lines. It aids in the selection and placement of things by providing accurate positions. Computer vision is also being used to assist industry in doing difficult tasks like rotary die cutting with precise measurements to cut any type of design.

  1. Scrap Management

One of the most difficult responsibilities for manufacturing units is scrap management. Companies may face increased manufacturing expenses as a result of high scrap. Equipment vision allows manufacturing units to keep an eye on assembly lines in order to detect problems and underperformance by any machine, reducing the risk of wasting raw materials throughout the manufacturing process. Manufacturers can use artificial intelligence and computer vision to create advanced algorithms and machine learning to reduce the amount of scrap generated by assembly lines.

  1. Inventory Management

To ensure continuous manufacturing processes, any manufacturing unit must maintain suitable inventories. Thousands of organizations around the world use computer vision to track inventory status in real time. This method also allows managers to receive alerts for things that are out of stock or unavailable. When working with huge industrial facilities, computer vision makes finding stock a breeze. It eliminates human errors and issues associated with inventory management in large warehouses.

  1. Barcode Analysis

In the manufacturing industry, AI-based computer vision systems are playing an increasingly important role in reading barcodes and messages. Manufacturing departments can use computer vision systems to divert any product with defective texts and barcodes. It aids in the prevention of an item circulating in the market with incorrect information. It's not easy to recognize, read, and process the barcode and text on every product. Data encoded in barcodes, optical characters, and images connected to items and packaging might be difficult to process in manufacturing units. Manufacturing departments can assure accurate and readable barcodes by employing machine vision systems. It can also aid in the cross-checking of these messages and barcodes on products that would otherwise necessitate more human time.

  1. Product Labeling, Tracking, and Tracing

Manufacturing units must label their products with extreme caution, as a product with incorrect labels might result in a loss for the company. Furthermore, in businesses such as food, beverage, and medicine, a mislabeled item might be detrimental to customers. Manufacturing facilities can use AI-based computer vision systems to help detect such items. It can also help with matching products to databases and keeping track of them to ensure that market-ready products meet quality requirements.

Conclusion

Industrial details are shrinking, resulting in products that are less wasteful, faster, and on time to market. Even the most manual of operations is becoming more automated. Machine learning, industrial computer vision, and robotics innovations are transforming production lines and supply chains. Artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision, in particular, have a lot of promise for solving real-world problems, from ophthalmology diagnosis with retinal images to content analysis of millions or even billions of texts.

Manufacturing businesses all over the world are eagerly incorporating current technologies into their processes. Manufacturing sectors all across the world have adopted novel production strategies over time. They're all aiming to make industrial processes safer, more cost-effective, and more energy-efficient. As a result, you can examine a wide range of advantages that can be gained by using computer vision systems in our manufacturing facilities. Using this strategy will undoubtedly assist us in progressing to the next level in the manufacturing industry.

In manufacturing, computer vision has a wide range of applications, many of which have their roots in adjacent industries. Person detection and tracking, for example, are already common in retail applications. However, when compared to other use cases, the efficiency savings from streamlining processes and automating safety systems frequently deliver greater value. As deep learning technology advances, making it possible to power computer vision at scale, we predict many more applications to be widely introduced.

Industrial details are shrinking, resulting in products that are less wasteful, faster, and on time to market. Even the most manual of operations is becoming more automated. Machine learning, industrial computer vision, and robotics innovations are transforming production lines and supply chains. Artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision, in particular, have a lot of promise for solving real-world problems, from ophthalmology diagnosis with retinal images to content analysis of millions or even billions of texts.

Written by Denny Fardian
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