Artificial vision has become an essential tool in industry to automate repetitive tasks and for precision in quality control. At E2M Couth, we have different artificial vision systems. For this reason, in this post we will be discussing industrial safety with artificial vision, as well as the importance and improvements to this aspect in any industry.
Applying industrial safety with artificial vision
Artificial vision is a high-precision, fundamental tool to automate repetitive tasks in industry, especially for industrial safety. With different cameras and sensors, it allows one to supervise, control, and protect the quality of the product, as well as the occupational safety of workers.
One key aspect related to safety in these settings is inspection with artificial vision, which is capable of detecting any contaminating object or object that should not be there so that the product can be rejected.
Operation and main applications of artificial vision in industry
The operation of artificial vision in industry is based on capturing images or signals that are then processed by specific software. This one, within industrial safety with artificial vision, it is possible to detect defects, classify objects or products, and make precise measurements in real time.
Some of the most noteworthy main applications of artificial vision in industry are automated inspection and quality control, identification of foreign or intrusive objects, product classification and traceability, detection of flaws in production and improvements to the manufacturing and supervision processes for occupational safety in hazardous settings.
Cameras, sensors, and systems used in industrial artificial vision
To achieve a good degree of industrial safety with artificial vision, we use different kinds of cameras and sensors, such as spectral or thermal cameras, which are capable of detecting infrared radiation let off by objects.
We also use specific lighting systems to highlight details or specific areas in the image. We also use systems to capture three-dimensional images, such as laser scanning or stereoscopic cameras, which provide greater precision in detecting volumetric objects.
How artificial vision works to guarantee safety
To understand how artificial vision works within industrial safety, we need to discover its different components. These are:
- Camera: This is the image sensor that turns light into image data for transfer.
- Lenses: This component is responsible for concentrating the light in the image sensor.
- Light: When configuring artificial vision, we can see that you need a certain light. Without this element, the system cannot process and analyse what it cannot see.
- Image processor: This element, also known as the controllers, are in charge of extracting all the most relevant information by using preset algorithms.
- Communication: These artificial vision systems can be connected to other devices to transfer the obtained information.
Types of artificial vision systems that can be applied to industrial safety
Within industrial safety with artificial vision, we can see that there are different types of systems that can be applied to improve all the processes for safety:
Detection of foreign objects
Vision systems can be configured to identify foreign objects, such as fragments of glass, metal, or plastic, that may be present in foods. These systems can quickly and precisely inspect huge volumes of food and raise an alarm for any contaminants they find. This way, you can ensure total control over the products that leave your plant.
Quality classification
Vision systems can assess the quality of food based on its appearance, shape, size, colour, and other visual characteristics. For example, they can classify fruits and vegetables based on their ripeness, detect damaged products, or identify products with visual defects. In this regard, if a food is in poor condition or has a different appearance, it can be removed.
Label control
These systems can also verify whether food products are properly labelled, identifying bar codes, expiry dates, and other information printed on the containers. This is essential to prevent labelling errors, guaranteeing compliance with regulations
Automated inspection systems
These systems use artificial vision algorithms to inspect and assess the quality of products in real time. They are able to detect defects, measure dimensions, and verify that the products fulfil established quality standards, guaranteeing the safety of the manufactured products.
Monitoring and traceability
By using artificial vision techniques, you can track the flow of food along the entire supply chain. From production to consumption. This makes it easy to identify any food safety issue and possible to quickly and precisely recall the products if necessary.
As you can see, there are many elements in industrial safety with artificial vision that can be applied to a factory of production line. These systems can work together, thereby achieving the best safety results, both for products and for employees working at the factory.
The advantages of using artificial vision for industrial safety
As we have seen, industrial safety with artificial vision is a key point for any factory today. Using these cameras and sensors can be essential for all industrial processes. For this reason, we have prepared a list with the different advantages for safety when you use these systems:
Detecting and preventing accidents
As already mentioned, within industrial safety with artificial vision, we see that it can be used to monitor and analyse working conditions in real time, identifying situations of risk and alerting workers of possible danger. For example, it can detect the presence of foreign objects in dangerous areas or missing personal protective equipment.
Automated inspection
This technology is able to conduct quality inspections in real time, detecting defects or anomalies in products or industrial processes. This is especially useful in settings where human visual inspection is prone to errors or is not feasible due to production speed.
Early contaminant detection
With vision systems, you can identify potential contaminants in food before they reach the end consumer, such as foreign objects or undesired chemical products. This helps to prevent safety problems and allows you to take corrective measures as appropriate, as already mentioned with automatic inspection.
Reduced human error
Artificial vision eliminates subjectivity and possible human error in food inspection. The automated systems are consistent and precise in their analysis, which reduces possibility of error related to fatigue, distraction, or the subjective interpretation of human inspectors.
Process optimisation
When analysing visual data, artificial vision can provide valuable information on the performance and efficiency of industrial processes. This allows you to identify areas to improve, reduce production times, and reduce waste.
Regulatory compliance
Within industrial safety with artificial vision, we can see that this helps to guarantee compliance with industrial safety standards and regulations.
Data analysis and ongoing improvement.
Artificial vision systems are in charge of collecting and analysing industrial safety data, which provides valuable information for decision-making and ongoing improvement. Data analysis helps to identify high-risk areas, assess the effectiveness of safety measures implemented, and detect trends that might indicate potential problems in the future.
Compliance with regulations and standards
Vision systems can verify labelling and expiry dates for food products, ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and standards. This is especially important in terms of food safety, since it allows you to identify products that may be potentially dangerous or that do not meet legal requirements.
Applying industrial safety with artificial vision in different sectors
Industrial safety with artificial vision is revolutionising different sectors, detecting different flaws, improving product traceability, and increasing production efficiency in settings that are highly demanding.
So that you can really see how this technology is improving safety in different sectors, we are going to give you some practical cases where artificial vision was essential to improved safety:
Food sector
Safety and quality in the food industry is fundamental and artificial vision is proving to be a key tool. Artificial vision also provides for automatic rejection of parts that do not meet quality standards, improving control and efficiency in production. This way, an industry of this sort can guarantee maximum efficiency and quality in production at all times.
Automobile
In the automobile industry, artificial vision is used to inspect parts, detect flaws or defects, and to verify proper assembly of all the car’s components. Artificial vision systems are able to detect anomalies quickly and precisely. This improves all the production and quality control processes, consequently saving on resources.
Pharmaceutical
In the pharmaceutical industry, product safety is very important. One might say that industrial safety with artificial vision is key to detect irregularities in containers, such as bands, marks, or any other kind of alteration or intrusion. This guarantees product safety and helps to prevent public health problems.
Artificial vision in industry is under constant evolution, thanks to technological progress and ongoing improvements in detection systems. Artificial vision is adapting to each sector’s specific needs, creating tailored solutions to guarantee the safety, efficiency, and quality of products.
This technology will certainly continue to act as a key tool in industry in upcoming years and will become standard practise in industries like food, automobile, and pharmaceuticals.
Find the best artificial vision systems at E2M Couth
We hope that you were able to see how important industrial safety with artificial vision is for all production plants. These systems can guarantee maximum safety at all times for all products that leave the plant, as well as everyone working there.
This kind of system is very necessary in different production sectors. In order to compete on the market, you need to offer the highest degree of safety. At E2M Couth, we have artificial vision systems for inspection, marking, rejecting, and orienting products. They are perfect for use in production plants in all kinds of sectors, such as food, chemical plants, beverages, and industry.
Additionally, if you would like to learn more about these systems or you have any questions, please contact us and our team will be delighted to help you.
