The convergence of AI software, edge computing, and IDS uEye XC cameras has paved the way for a modular, plug-and-play inspection system engineered for swift and intuitive visual quality inspections.
Developed by preML, this system does not require extensive expertise in image processing, making it particularly valuable amidst the increasing demands on quality control in industries like automotive, electronics manufacturing, and mechanical engineering.
Streamlined Quality Control Solutions
PreML's inspection solution offers a user-friendly interface that allows operators, even those lacking image processing or AI skills, to develop and employ AI-assisted inspection models efficiently.
The modular kit is comprehensive, containing a camera, lighting, edge-computing capabilities, and pre-installed software, facilitating ease of use in diverse industrial contexts such as electronics and plastic parts production. This complete system positions itself as an accessible plug-and-play option for quality control in varied settings.
Advanced Camera Technology
The foundation of this inspection system is the IDS uEye XC industrial camera
The foundation of this inspection system is the IDS uEye XC industrial camera, recognized for its 13-megapixel sensor which ensures detailed imaging.
With its autofocus feature, the camera maintains consistent clarity irrespective of component height variations, working distances, or surface disparities. In practical scenarios, such as electronics manufacturing, firms like TOP. Thomas Preuhs GmbH employ this technology to inspect manually assembled printed circuit boards, enhancing automation while reducing operating efforts.
AI-Driven Inspection Models
The preML Vision Lab software, integral to the system, facilitates real-time creation, management, and evaluation of test models directly on the device.
Exemplifying its capabilities, the uEye XC can detect anomalies in plastic dowels autonomously. David Fehrenbach, the founder of preML, highlights this ease of use: "Our solution fills a crucial gap in the market. For the first time, skilled personnel without knowledge of image processing or AI can independently, intuitively and directly teach, manage and perform visual quality inspections on the device itself."
Versatile and Independent Usage
This adaptability is enhanced by features such as a macro attachment lens for detecting fine details
Designed to merge the simplicity of a webcam with industrial reliability, the uEye XC is installed with a single cable connection—a notable advantage for manufacturing environments requiring frequent system modifications.
Its 13 MP sensor, supported by AR1335 from onsemi, provides high-definition images, assisting in accurate fault detection. Furthermore, the camera's autofocus and sensor technology, enabling 20 fps at full resolution, adapt effectively to changing lighting conditions. This adaptability is enhanced by features such as a macro attachment lens for detecting fine details, digital zoom, and auto white balance.
Cost-Effective Modular System
According to Jürgen Hejna, Product Manager 2D Machine Vision at IDS, the camera's autofocus capability facilitates optimal distance adjustment along with reliable image quality with minimal integration complexity. These characteristics allow the preML system to function independently, ideal for isolated production settings without requiring internet connectivity.
The software, preML Vision Lab, further distinguishes itself by enabling no-code training and execution of test models, expediting adaptability to new products in diverse production environments.
Future of Inspection Solutions
The modular system by preML addresses the market's call for increased flexibility and self-sufficiency, allowing rapid reconfigurations without reliance on external integration specialists.
The adaptability of the system helps manufacturers deal with price pressures, offering short implementation times and low integration costs. Looking ahead, the system lays the groundwork for more adaptable inspection solutions, setting the stage for automated series testing and self-learning quality controls, with plans for integration into robotics and automation to fully network and automate testing processes.
Modular plug-and-play inspection solution combines AI software, edge computing and IDS uEye XC cameras to enable fast, intuitive visual quality inspection without image processing expertise.
Quality control is under more pressure today than ever before: It must operate flexibly, precisely and economically. Industries such as automotive, mechanical engineering and electronics manufacturing test a growing variety of components – often under changing conditions and with minimal time for complex integrations.
Image processing knowledge
This is precisely where preML's inspection solution comes in. It can be quickly integrated, is intuitive to use and enables even users without image processing knowledge to create AI-supported inspection models. Their modular design has proven itself in electronic assemblies, plastic parts and many other industrial applications. The system is supplied as a complete, modular kit – with camera, lighting, edge computing and pre-installed Software. This makes it a genuine plug-and-play solution for industrial quality control.
At the heart of the system is the IDS uEye XC industrial camera. Its 13-megapixel sensor delivers detailed images, while the autofocus ensures consistent sharpness – even with changing component heights, variable working distances or different surfaces.
AI-based inspection model
In live operation of the preML Vision Lab software, the uEye XC captures a plastic dowel, for example, and automatically checks it for deviations. Test models can be created, managed and evaluated in real time directly on the device. Automated quality control of a plastic dowel with the IDS uEye XC and preML Vision Lab: Test model and presentation of results in live view.
Electronics manufacturing provides a practical example: TOP. Thomas Preuhs GmbH uses the flexible inspection system to check manually assembled printed circuit boards. The combination of powerful camera technology and an AI-based inspection model opens up a new level of automation with minimal operating effort. David Fehrenbach, founder of preML, emphasises its ease of use: “Our solution fills a crucial gap in the market. For the first time, skilled personnel without knowledge of image processing or AI can independently, intuitively and directly teach, manage and perform visual quality inspections on the device itself.”
Varying object distances
The uEye XC combines the ease of use of a webcam with the reliability of an industrial camera. A single cable connection is all that is needed for installation and commissioning – an advantage in manufacturing environments where systems are frequently converted or expanded. Inside, the 13 MP sensor AR1335 from onsemi delivers high-resolution images for reliable fault detection. The autofocus sharpens automatically and maintains consistent image quality, even with varying object distances.
Jürgen Hejna, Product Manager 2D Machine Vision at IDS, describes it as follows: “The uEye XC is designed for users who require reliable image quality without significant integration effort. The autofocus camera automatically focuses and enables perfect distance adjustment. Its sensor delivers 20 fps at full resolution and, thanks to BSI technology, can also cope with changing lighting conditions.” A quick-change macro attachment lens extends its use at close range: It reduces the minimum object distance and enables the precise detection of small structures, from conductor tracks to material defects and geometric deviations. Features such as digital zoom, auto white balance and color correction support reliable detail checks.
Isolated production environments
“Depending on the inspection requirements, up to four uEye XC cameras can be used per system to map multi-sided inspection processes, complex geometries or combined surface and detail inspections,” explains David Fehrenbach. “The uEye XC fits perfectly with our system philosophy: It automatically delivers images without our users having to struggle with optical parameters.”
The system is supplied with a compact edge computing unit. It operates completely independently, requires no internet connection and is therefore ideal for isolated production environments. The pre-installed preML Vision Lab software runs as a web application directly on the device. It is designed as a no-code solution and enables the training and execution of test models without programming knowledge. Models can be adapted to new products in just a few minutes, which saves time, especially in production with many variants.
Changing lighting conditions
TOP GmbH & Co. KG uses the system to inspect manually assembled printed circuit boards – an environment in which a wide variety of variants, different surfaces and changing lighting conditions are commonplace.
“For over two decades, TOP has been assembling components and end devices of all kinds, from prototypes to small and large series. Production follows the principles of lean production. Many assemblies are produced by hand, followed by inductive soldering. Because TOP stands for the highest quality, all manufactured parts undergo a 100 per cent inspection. To this end, the company uses the preML GmbH system, among other things,” explains Emil Kurowski, TOP Managing Director.
Customisable software functions
The solution can be adapted to new products in just a few minutes; test models can be created and expanded without any programming knowledge. Fehrenbach explains: “Our solution combines the best of both worlds: the performance of turnkey inspection systems with the flexibility of customisable software functions. At the same time, it impresses with the operating logic and cost-effectiveness of a smart camera.”
“The market is clearly moving towards greater flexibility and independence – away from heavy dependence on integrators,” says Fehrenbach. Many manufacturing companies are clearly feeling the effects of this development: They want systems that can be adapted without external specialists, can be quickly reconfigured and can be operated economically.
Flexible inspection solutions
At the same time, price pressure is increasing due to a growing variety of available solutions, making short implementation times and low integration costs increasingly important. The modular preML system addresses these requirements and offers a correspondingly high degree of adaptability.
The system thus opens up new possibilities not only for today's testing processes. It also lays the foundation for future, even more flexible inspection solutions, ranging from automated series testing to fully self-learning quality control. The next step in development is integration into robotics and automation solutions in order to further network testing processes and fully automate them.
