Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing 23 (2007) 630–637
Design and application of industrial machine vision systems
H. Golnabia, , A. Asadpourb
a
Institute of Water and Energy, Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
b
Plasma Physics Research Center, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
In this paper, the role and importance of the machine vision systems in the industrial applications are described. First understanding of
the vision in terms of a universal concept is explained. System design methodology is discussed and a generic machine vision model is
reported. Such a machine includes systems and sub-systems, which of course depend on the type of applications and required tasks. In
general, expected functions from a vision machine are the exploitation and imposition of the environmental constraint of a scene, the
capturing of the images, analysis of those captured images, recognition of certain objects and features within each image, and the
initiation of subsequent actions in order to accept or reject the corresponding objects. After a vision system performs all these stages, the
task in hand is almost completed. Here, the sequence and proper functioning of each system and sub-systems in terms of high-quality
images is explained. In operation, there is a scene with some constraint, first step for the machine is the image acquisition, pre-processing
of image, segmentation, feature extraction, classification, inspection, and finally actuation, which is an interaction with the scene under
study. At the end of this report, industrial image vision applications are explained in detail. Such applications include the area of
automated visual inspection (AVI), process control, parts identification, and important role in the robotic guidance and control. Vision
developments in manufacturing that can result in improvements in the reliability, in the product quality, and enabling technology for a
new production process are presented. The key points in design and applications of a machine vision system are also presented. Such
considerations can
be generally classified into the six different categories such as the scene constraints, image acquisition, image pre_xFFFE_processing, image processing, machine vision justification, and finally the systematic considerations. Each aspect of such processes is
described here and the proper condition for an optimal design is reported.
r 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Keywords: Design; Application; Industrial; Vision system; Image
1. Introduction
The introduction of the automation has revolutionized
the manufacturing in which complex operations have been
broken down into simple step-by-step instruction that can
be repeated by a machine. In such a mechanism, the need
for the systematic assembly and inspection have been
realized in different manufacturing processes. These tasks
have been usually done by the human workers, but these
types of deficiencies have made a machine vision system
more attractive. Our expectation from a visual system is to
perform the following operations: the image acquisition
and analysis, the recognition of certain features or objects
within that image, and the exploitation and imposition of
environmental constraints [1].
Scene constraint is the first consideration for the
machine vision system. The situation of the scene must
be recognized by the machine vision designer and accord ing to the required application such a machine should be
developed. The hardware for this sub-system consists of the
light source for the active imaging, and required optical
systems. Different lighting techniques such as the struc tured lighting can be used for such purpose. The process of
vision system starts with the image acquiring in which
representation of the image data, image sensing and
digitization is accomplished. Image sensing is the next step
in order to obtain a proper image from the illuminated
scene. Digitization is the next process in which image
capturing and image display are accomplished. The last
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doi:10.1016/j.rcim.2007.02.005