The Big Six of Machine Vision

Machine vision technology performs tasks that are difficult or impossible for people to do reliably and consistently. Vision systems help to automate and error-proof production to minimize defects and reduce costs. Virtually all machine vision functionality falls into one of these six groups:

1. Inspection - Machine vision technology inspects for assembly errors, surface defects, damaged parts and missing features. It can also identify the orientation, shape and position of objects and features.

2. Guide/Align - Machine vision helps guide automation equipment and robotic devices. It also helps align parts for high accuracy assembly operations and other manufacturing processes.

3. Gauge/Measure - Machine vision gauges parts to check critical dimensions. It also measure components for sorting and classification.

4. OCR/OCV - Machine vision technology reads and verifies alphanumeric characters marked directly on parts and printed on labels.

5. Presence/Absence - Machine vision technology detects the presence or absence of simple features and objects to give basic pass/fail results.

6. Code Reading - Image-based code readers read 1-D barcodes and 2-D matrix codes as part of an overall inspection application.

If you need help in any of these three areas, talk with a Cognex sales engineer.