2020_2q_omron_e

17/37 - IAB: Sensory Inspection Using Robotics and Image Sensing

The video on slide 16 is an example of a sensory inspection solution for IAB components, using robotics and image sensing technology. There is a camera attached the robot arm which is conducting an external visual inspection. This is a video of equipment which is already deployed in an external visual inspection line at our Kusatsu plant. To date, external visual inspections could only be done using the human eye. An inspector would need to handle the product to be inspected, manipulating it to check 120 different items. Inspection staff would spend hours repeating this burdensome process. By using control technology to coordinate the robot arm to replicate the handling of the test item, and image sensing to replicate the visual process, we have been able to automate this process and eliminate what was an onerous task for inspection staff. The introduction of this automated inspection process reduces tact time by one-third; errors of omission in the inspection process have been virtually eliminated. Going forward, we will roll out this solution to the 50 inspection processes at our Kusatsu plant. An automated solution for external visual inspections represents the advent of a new market. Our aim is to have this solution adopted for all visual inspection or pre-shipping inspection processes for all industries. Next slide please.