The ET Xpro is equipped with a Pixel Count tool for calculating the Total Pixel of the image. For using the Pixel count tool, the user must choose the colour that needs to be picked. This is done to eliminate the unwanted areas in the image i.e only the region to be inspected is picked. The colour that is picked is considered as a white pixel and the rest is considered black. The number of white pixels in the reference image and the current images are compared and the judgment is made. This judgment is made by adjusting the upper and lower threshold. The number of pixels higher than the upper threshold is NG and also the number of pixels lesser than the Lower threshold is also NG.

As shown in the above image, the orange colour is picked. The orange colour is considered as white pixels and the rest becomes dark. The number of white pixels is counted and is displayed as Total pixel count. Based on the total pixel count in the reference image, the upper and lower tolerance is set.

The Find shape tool in the ET Xpro is used to compare the contours on the products based on size, shape, and position. A Rectangular box is drawn on the region of interest and is chosen as the reference image. After the reference image is stored, the region of interest for all the current images are compared. The output is provided in terms of match %(with respect to the reference image). Based on the threshold set for the match %, the judgment is provided(OK/NG).

As shown in the above image, the word “juice” is selected using the rectangle in the find shape tool. The shape of “juice” from the reference image is considered as 100% match. The current image is compared with the reference image and the match % is found. Based on the tolerance set for the match %, the judgment is made(OK/NG)

Each bar code contains data encoded in it. The data is usually the model name, Date of Manufacture, Price, etc. Manufacturers print the 1D codes on their products for easier traceability and reduced human errors. The ET Xpro has the capability of reading the bar codes at high speeds printed on the products. This not only reduces the time consumed for manual inspection but also prevents the products with faulty bar codes into the delivery line. The faults include Bar code mismatch, Poor print quality, missing bar codes, etc.

The ET XPro can read a wide range of 1D codes that includes :

The ET Xpro comes with a 2D barcode tool to decode data from various impressions that range from labels to Direct Punch marking. This tool uses an advanced algorithm and technology to ease the traceability and increase efficiency. The tool is designed for reading codes printed on different surfaces, quality grade and size. The tool has been designed to read a wide range of codes which includes

• QR
• MicroQR
• DataMatrix (ECC200)
• GS1 DataMatrix
• PDF417
• MicroPDF417
• GS1 Composite (CC-A/CC-B/CC-C)

OCR is trusted for reliable inspection of printing defects, print quality, missing characters, character mismatch, and misprints across the manufacturing industry. Our OCR tool is finely crafted to read the characters that are commonly used/printed on products. It can be integrated with high-speed packaging and printing machines to check the accuracy of data such as MRP, manufactured date, batch code, and chassis number.

OCR Inspection is executed in simple steps

Image capturing: The Preliminary step for the OCR tool is image capturing. This is done by using a camera or using pre-captured images in a specified file location. The image captured is adjusted for brightness and alignment for better visibility. This can be done using image-enhancing filters in the software.

Processing: The next step is image processing. In this, each character is classified into individual blocks, and the outline of the characters is stored. The Software uses a special algorithm to compare the stored character with the available library of fonts. It is also checked for a mismatch, misprint, presence/absence.

Output: The final step is output processing. Afterimage processing is completed, the output is generated as OK/NG. OCR tool has the capability to maintain a record of the OK/NG products. After the completion of the above steps, the tool will provide signals to reject the NG products.

A blob is defined as a region of connected pixels. It a region of an image with the consistency of certain properties such as shape, intensity, or color. These tools can be used for pattern matching techniques. The main advantages of this technique include high flexibility and excellent performance. This tool helps in counting the products or sorting multiple items in the specified region.

The Measure position tool helps to measure the position of the region of interest-based on the user specification. In the above figure it is observed that when the measure position tool is applied, we are able to determine the position of the cap in terms of rows, columns, and angles. If there is an absence or shift in the position of the cap, there is a variation in the values of the rows, columns, or angle. By detecting this change in value based on the position of the product, the products are classified as good or not good products.

The width measurement tool helps in measuring the width of a product. This tool also helps in the identification of gaps between the product/area of interest. To calculate the width, the user has to draw the outline of the product using the rectangular shape provided in the drop-down box. This tool uses either a black or white region to measure the width of the product. The tool measures the distance between the edges of the black region or the white region to calculate the width. The pixels calculated using the width measurement tool can be converted to a millimetre.

The fuzzy measurement tool is an excellent tool to measure the width of the profile. This tool measures the distance between multiple edges measured in the inspection region. This tool is used to measure the maximum and minimum width in target images. It is possible to measure the width in both the X & Y directions. We can even measure the width of the product at a particular segment of the multiple edge points that are detected. This tool will pass or fail the product of the product if the dimensions get out the range.

This tool can be used to measure many edge points in a profile and detects the maximum and minimum points from among the multiple edge points detected in the inspection region and it gives the position of either the maximum or minimum edge point or a specific edge point. It can also find a best fit circle or a best fit line through the information of the edge points detected. The fuzzy position tool can also detect the angle of the edge points of a profile.

This tool helps to determine the diameter of the product. To calculate the diameter, the user has to draw the outline of the product using the circle / oval shape provided in the drop-down box. Using the outline the tool divides the product into several quadrants and determines the diameter of the product. The average diameter, the maximum diameter and the minimum diameter of the product can be found. It is also possible to fine the diameter of the product at a particular segment.

The color tool is used to find the difference in color on the target sample. This tool will differentiate the color based on the changes in the RGB Values and also HSB values. Thus it makes it possible to differentiate the difference between the same color with different shades. (i.e.) this tool can differentiate easily between light blue, mild blue, and dark blue. Which makes color detection more effective.

In many machine vision applications, there is a necessity to convert the image to binary. The Binary filter converts a color image into binary (black and white). This is done by converting the coloured image into a grayscale(0-255 bit). After the image is converted to the grayscale, the upper and lower threshold is set by the user. The range of pixels lying outside the threshold is considered as black pixels and the range between the threshold is considered as white.

The images are converted into pixel blocks of 3×3. When the expand filter is used, the sub-pixel block with the largest bright intensity is considered and is applied as the value for the center block thereby increasing the number of white pixels in the image.

The images are converted into pixel blocks of 3×3. When the shrink filter is used, the pixel block with the largest dark intensity is considered and is applied as the value for the center block. This process reduces the number of white pixels in the image.

In the Blur filter, each pixel is computed as the average of the surrounding pixels. It’s a weighted mean of the surrounding pixels that gives more weight to the pixel near the current pixel. This kind of filter is also called a smoothing filter or low-pass filter. This filter blurs the image and the edges. This will reduce the noise in the image can be due to external factors like poor lighting or environment or internal factors like a few pixels have gone bad.

In sharp filter, the pixel is boosted when the neighbor pixels are different. The details of an image can be emphasized by using a high-pass filter. Using the sharp filter we can enhance the edges and bring out more of the underlying texture. This filter increases the contrast between bright and dark regions to bring out features.

Changing the luminosity of a picture in a RGB mode can be done by adding a constant to each colour component. It is also possible to change from RGB to HSL to modify the luminosity easily. Thus by using this filter the brightness of the image can be either increased or decreased.