Industrial image processing

in the quality management

of the automobile industry

The requirements made of industrial image processing in the quality

management of the automobile industry and its component suppliers
Industrial image processing is
being applied increasingly in the
quality management of the automobile industry and its component suppliers. It is an excellent
instrument for making tests and
doing monitoring.

Industrial image processing essentially consists of two components:

1. recording the image and 2. evaluating the image
The image recording building block is responsible for gathering data. A
camera records the shape, colour and size. The image evaluation building block is the digital processing of the data in a computer to get a precise statement on whether the testing object may be classified as belonging to a specific quality class with regard to shape, colour and size.

The advantage of industrial

image processing is clearly to be
seen in the non-destructive
testing process. This means that
all objects to be tested are scanned and evaluated contactlessly.

If a product is going to be assessed for its qualitative features using an

industrial image processing system, it is necessary to deposit good and
bad, large or small, correct or incorrect, etc. in the system with the corresponding parameters. Apart from these parameters, the correct
components such as the cameras, lenses, lighting and electronic components for the evaluation, interfaces and evaluation programs (software) have an important role to play.
The software is generally adapted to the customers specific testing
needs. This means that it is necessary to have great core competence
in the area of software development.

We would like to illustrate what

demands are made of industrial
image processing these days
using the example of a cylinder
head.
For instance, such things as hairline cracks or threads that are
not properly cut render the cylinder head useless for further
assembly. Beyond this, residues
such as chips in cavities and
thread turns have to be located,
identified and removed to prevent
damage down the line. All cylinder heads have to be checked to
guarantee their functionality. And
industrial image processing is the
ideal instrument to make a very
fast test where inspection with
the human eye is often impossible or uneconomic.

ASENTICS industrial image processing

means great expertise and know-how in
the automobile industry and component
supplier industry.

These cylinder heads tests are only one example for demonstrating the
various products and applications. On the following pages we will be
showing you various testing problems on widely differing products that
the automobile industry posed ASENTICS and that it has successfully
solved.
ASENTICS offers industrial image processing systems with all of the
necessary components for complex testing requirements in the automobile industry and its component suppliers.
ASENTICS can also master the corresponding integration of feeds or
special machines in existing systems.

Some example of testing problems

Centre Consoles
position control and
surface inspection

Electrical Motors for

Sun Roofs
completeness check

testing for:
correct assembly, fitting, scratches, damage and shape control

testing for:
correct positions,
completeness of subassemblies,
correct assembly and damage

Motor Blocks

Crankshafts

complete motor block inspection

check of dimensional accuracy

testing for:
dimensional accuracy of drilling
holes, threaded and cooling
water passages, damage and
residues, checking the flat and
sealing surfaces for blowholes
and scratches

testing for:
position accuracy, distances,
diameters, scratches and blowholes

Car Body Assembly

Brake Fluid
Containers

assembly check
testing for:
positions, completeness, welding
seams
checking for:
damage

Door Locks for

Central Locking
Systems
assembly check
testing for:
correct position, completeness
of subassemblies, correct
assembly and damage

housing inspection
testing for:
correct assembly, labelling, sizes
and shapes, inclusions and
break-outs, welding seams and
spit-outs

Pre-Mounted Front
Axles
completeness inspection
testing for:
correct assembly, completeness,
position accuracy and damage

Applications with the industrial image processing

system from ASENTICS vision technology
Checking the flat and sealing surfaces of
cylinder heads
The flat and sealing surfaces are inspected
for surface faults to prevent early motor breakdown and avoid expensive repairs.

Subassembly Inspection of radiator modules

Only correctly pre-mounted subassemblies
allow the shortest assembly times. They guarantee fast installation with a limited number of
movements.

Cameras and illumination are positioned vertically and to the side of

the test component. All of the components and positions are selected
to ensure suitable physical resolution and to make sure that the

The relevant testing areas of the radiator with the coolant recovery
bottle, condenser, transmission oil cooler and cooling loop for the
power steering are checked with a total of 28 cameras from

relevant testing features contrast as much as possible from the rest of

the image to be able to identify even the smallest faults. When the correct testing position has been reached, a trigger signal starts image
recording with the cameras.
A special software module does image evaluation. Any surface faults
or impermissible deviations from size, contour or position are tracked
down and analysed. The information gained makes it possible to make
a statement on whether the cylinder head can be used based upon
precisely defined characteristics.

various perspectives and a variety of details. They are illuminated with

halogen projectors.
These image processing systems process the various testing jobs in
parallel while being linked with one another through a network. The
results of testing are transmitted to the upper-level machine control
unit through TCP/IP. This means that faults identified are clearly visualised at a repair station in addition and they can be quickly corrected.
It is also possible to remote service the entire image processing unit.

ASENTICS equipment for the testing problem:

computer:
2 Videolab G6M
cameras:
12 standard cameras
opt. equipment:
12 standard lenses with great focal distance
lighting:
fluorescent tubes and homogenous dark field
illumination
software modules: Detect with Blobanalyse, Search, Logik Editor

ASENTICS equipment for the testing problem:

computer:
3 Videolab G5
cameras:
28 standard cameras
opt. equipment:
lenses with 16 / 25 / 50 mm focal distance
lighting:
halogen projectors
software modules: Detect / Verify / Search / Blob

testing duration:

testing duration:

300 ms

900 radiator modules per hour

Checking brake linings

Brake linings are extremely sensitive components and they are of enormous importance for
vehicle safety. This is the reason why zero-fault
production is an absolute priority.

Checking door locking systems

Industrial image processing is used to prevent
confusion of more than 40 variations and guarantee complete and correct assembly.

The things checked are dimensional accuracy, completeness and the

printing image in the top view with 14 standard cameras, standard lenses and conventional illumination. The linings are positioned under the

8 cameras are used with lenses of varying focal distances to make

inspections on the more than 40 different door locking systems. Testing
is done with impinging light using pole filters. Industrial image proces-

cameras in the running production process. Now the image processing

system checks whether all of the parts are present, properly positioned
and mounted. Then it queries the dimensional accuracy of the individual components and finally it checks the printing image for reasons of
identification. The results of the individual tests are communicated
through the upper-level control unit that then transfers the faulty parts
outward.

sing simultaneously inspects 2 locks at a time. The system receives

information on the various types of locks for testing through a centralised control system. Industrial image processing checks to see if the
correct components are actually there and if they satisfy the criteria. If
a fault is discovered, the lock is transferred outward and shuttled to a
repair workstation. Industrial image processing systems from ASENTICS vision technology control everything in this system, including the
sensory mechanisms so that you dont require an SPC.

ASENTICS equipment for the testing problem:

computer:
3 Videolab G6M
cameras:
14 standard cameras
opt. equipment:
standard and telecentric measuring lenses
lighting:
LED impinging light, transmitted light and
telecentrically transmitted light
software modules: Detect, Measure and Verify

ASENTICS equipment for the testing problem:

computer:
Videolab G6M
cameras:
8 standard cameras
opt. equipment:
8.5 mm, 16 mm, 25 mm, 50 mm focal distance
lighting:
fluorescent tubes with impinging light and
transmitted light
software modules: Logic Editor and Detect

tests: 1,320 brake linings per hour

tests: 1,800 door locking systems per hour

What benefit does ASENTICS industrial image

processing bring the customer?
Optimising processes and quality management The benefits of ASENTICS industrial image
processing
Having your employees do visual inspection has become uneconomical in many cases because the defect rates are no longer acceptable.
This generally comes from a lack of concentration, improper optical
assessment, mistakes or fatigue.
In contrast, ASENTICS industrial image processing records every
defect, be it ever so sporadic. It assesses every testing object completely objectively without fatiguing, without a lack of concentration and
day by day, around the clock without taking a break.
Our systems are also capable of solving various testing problems at the
same time with 8 cameras per computer (for instance, geometric or
dimensional checks). Using several cameras also allows you to also
increase the cycle rates significantly.
Integrating our industrial image processing systems and the knowledge gained from this make it possible to control and accelerate a number of internal processes.
A precise check and assessment in the automobile industry is increasingly becoming the prerequisite for optimising other processes. For
example, think of subsequent sorting according to sizes, colours or
quality classes. They can be designed more efficiently and automated
using ASENTICS industrial image processing so that manual interference by your employees becomes superfluous.
Quality management systems are absolutely necessary these days to
be able to measure up to customer requirements. Depending upon the
direction of your companys production, there not only are national, but
also international directives that you have to satisfy.
For instance, national and international standards demand a complete
testing certification. If you are lacking a certificate or if it is incomplete, your competitors will have the edge on you.
ASENTICS industrial image processing offers you an almost perfect
solution to documenting these testing or individual certificates.

ASENTICS industrial image processing is extremely compact and built

modularly.
At the customers request, our system can be re-configured according
to requirements again and again.
Furthermore, our system can be excellently adapted to the customers
convenient specific operating interfaces.
ASENTICS offers you all-round one-source applications in quality
testing and quality assurance for the automobile industry.
We also offer comprehensive service and excellent detailed consultation either ahead of time and as a follow-up service.

Your benefits when using ASENTICS industrial

image processing
We ensure your customers quality requirements for you.
We solve your problems.
We help you avoid rejects.
We offer you 100% control
We help you to reduce costs.
We help you increase your production rates.
We help you to utilise your human resources in a more useful fashion.

This means
that you save money!

ASENTICS industrial image processing systems are

extremely efficient tools

to comply with even the highest quality demands for
your products.
Take advantage of our know-how.
Have our staff give you detailed non-binding advise.
Challenge us!
Were looking forward to it.
Your team from ASENTICS vision technology.

Schaden & Partner, www.visuellekraft.de

Telefon:
Fax:
E-Mail:
Internet:

+49 271/303 91- 0

+49 271/303 91-19
[email protected]
www.asentics.de

KFZ/GB/1000/Ni/03.04

Asentics GmbH & Co. KG

Birlenbacher Strae 19 - 21
D-57078 Siegen (Germany)