AI-Supported Fully Automated Visual Quality Control
Hufschmied Zerspanungssysteme GmbH, in collaboration with VisCheck GmbH, a leader in intelligent image processing solutions, has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-powered quality control system for tool blade production. The innovative ‘OPDRA Quality’ solution drastically reduces the effort required for quality assurance by integrating advanced artificial intelligence and automation technologies.
The newly implemented system fully automates both the measurement and optical inspection of tools using a collaborative robot, enabling continuous operation around the clock. Each tool blade undergoes meticulous examination, with all measurement data stored in a digital twin for seamless tracking and analysis. By integrating a data matrix code on each blade, the test results are unequivocally linked to the respective tool, ensuring comprehensive traceability and documentation.
Beyond conventional milling tools, Hufschmied’s Winterlingen facility specializes in producing precision-engineered cold-cut blades, which are crucial in the automotive industry for airbag trimming applications. Given their delicate structure, measuring just 20 × 5 mm, these blades require an exceptionally detailed optical inspection. Utilizing an AI-driven image processing system, enhanced with machine learning capabilities, the solution scrutinizes the blade tip for potential defects within a microscopic grid of 50 × 50 µm. Subsequently, the system records the complete geometric profile, capturing all lengths and angles with pinpoint accuracy.
To achieve full automation in quality assurance, a collaborative robot seamlessly extracts the blades from a specialized rack containing over 150 slots and conducts optical measurements autonomously throughout the night. The generated high-resolution images and precise measurements are securely stored in the cloud, ensuring instant accessibility and streamlined data management.
“For high-precision products like those manufactured by Hufschmied, the demands of quality assurance can often surpass those of production itself,” explains Lutz Schaufuss, a member of the management board at VisCheck GmbH. “With our intelligent, adaptive image processing systems, we enhance the efficiency of inspection processes, making them not only more precise but also fully automatable.”
This cutting-edge AI-driven quality control solution marks a significant leap forward in precision manufacturing, reinforcing Hufschmied’s commitment to innovation and efficiency. By integrating automation with intelligent image processing, the company is setting new industry standards for high-precision tool manufacturing and quality assurance.
For more information: www.vischeck.de
