The networking of machines is increasingly becoming the standard in modern factories. The more consistently all components involved in the various production phases can communicate with each other, the more autonomous, intelligent and efficient the processes can be. An important building block is cameras that not only keep an eye on everything that is happening and deliver direct results, but can also trigger subsequent processes.
Industrial image processing is therefore a key technology that enables continuous process control and quality inspection, among other things. Industrial cameras also help machines and robots to react adaptively to their specific situation. They therefore make a decisive contribution to automation in production. But what does this mean in concrete terms?

Wide range of applications for industrial cameras in various sectors

In quality inspection, industrial cameras quickly capture all conditions from classification to anomalies - even at high cycle rates.

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Industrial cameras are already used in a wide range of industries: from equipment, plant and mechanical engineering to medical technology, agriculture and logistics. They perform a wide range of tasks, such as inline quality inspection and general quality control. For example, they inspect and analyze products for deviations so that they can be sorted out before they leave the production hall. Compared to the human eye, vision systems work faster, more accurately and more reliably, as they do not miss any details even at high cycle rates. In addition, employees can be relieved of "monotonous", albeit important, sorting and inspection tasks and can be deployed elsewhere instead.

Embedded vision systems and AI for flexible applications

Data processing "on edge" can directly trigger subsequent processes in the production chain.

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In embedded vision systems, the "seen" data is processed directly on the device. When artificial intelligence comes into play, the application and evaluation options become particularly diverse. Whether object recognition, segmentation or anomaly detection: as not all eventualities have to be hard-coded, they can be used very flexibly. Intelligent cameras, such as those in the IDS NXT series, can perform image evaluations directly "on edge" and trigger subsequent processes thanks to interfaces such as REST and OPC UA. This eliminates the need to transfer the data and results to an external PC and have them evaluated by it. Another advantage is that the corresponding systems can be integrated into the production chain in a space-saving manner.

Simple development of AI vision solutions with IDS NXT

Compact industrial cameras are important components of factory automation.

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But how do you come up with an AI vision solution? Development usually requires specialist knowledge, programming effort and investment in computing and storage hardware. Not so with IDS NXT: the AI vision system includes all the necessary tools and workflows. This offers both beginners and professionals enormous scope when designing deep learning-based image processing applications.
The range of tasks performed by the industrial cameras is determined by apps. They can be created with the associated AI vision studio IDS lighthouse and executed directly on the models. Data security also plays an important role in the industrial use of AI. Communication between cameras and system components can therefore be encrypted via HTTPS.

Important advantages at a glance:

• AI runs directly on the camera
• Communication with machines thanks to REST and OPC-UA
• Free function updates, new in 2023 e.g. with anomaly detection

Machine vision and AI as a key technology

But why use AI at all? Rule-based image processing quickly reaches its limits if the objects to be analyzed vary frequently and the differences are difficult or impossible to describe analytically. How can reliable automation be ensured in such cases? If you ask yourself this question, you quickly come across the possibilities of artificial intelligence. With the help of trained neural networks, for example, cameras are able to recognize objects and draw conclusions from what they have learned. This expands the application possibilities of image processing across all industries.

Get started right away with the IDS NXT ocean Creative Kit

The IDS NXT ocean Creative Kit also enables users without prior knowledge to use AI vision.

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Anyone who wants to test the system and evaluate it for their applications should take a look at the IDS NXT ocean Creative Kit. It provides users with all the components they need to create, train and run a neural network. In addition to an IDS NXT industrial camera with 1.6 MP Sony sensor, lens, cable and tripod adapter, the package also includes six months' access to IDS lighthouse.
The kit is available from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH, one of the leading industrial camera manufacturers and pioneers in industrial image processing. The owner-managed, carbon-neutral company develops modular, high-performance USB, GigE and 3D cameras as well as the IDS NXT complete AI system with AI. The almost unlimited range of applications for the products extends across a wide variety of industries, such as device, plant and mechanical engineering. With visionpier, IDS also operates an online marketplace that brings together suppliers of ready-made image processing solutions and interested end customers.

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