New Devices Are
Revolutionizing Fixed Scanning and Machine Vision
With demand for manufacturing production, quality, and
supply chain performance at all-time highs, there’s some good news on the way
with a big change in the world of industrial automation.
More than ever, companies need to boost high-quality output
and do it as efficiently as possible, with minimal labor. Thankfully, it’s getting
a lot easier due to a major shift in fixed scanning and machine vision
technology.
Historically, manufacturers and other industrial operations
have used fixed barcode scanners, imagers, and machine vision cameras to
automate data capture and visual inspections. Instead of relying on
labor-intensive and error-prone manual scanning or inspection processes,
scanners and cameras can capture data and images automatically, for everything
from component traceability and high-speed sorting to visual inspections for packaging
validation, assembly checks, and ensuring that products are free from contamination
or defects.
However, there’s often been one major obstacle to realizing
the benefits of fixed scanning and machine vision, and that’s complexity.
Setting up fixed industrial scanners or machine vision
cameras and configuring them to capture the right data and images under the
right conditions has often required multiple hardware platforms and multiple
devices with multiple software applications to learn. This typically adds up to
more time, more cost, and more effort to get these industrial automation
solutions up and running.
For example, you might need to deploy and mount multiple
scanners at the same production stage to capture multiple barcodes on the same
target, especially in difficult lighting conditions or at varying angles and
distances. Or you might need to buy a completely different set of hardware with
differing software to add machine vision image capture and analysis to your
processes.
But all of that is changing with Zebra’s entry into the
fixed scanning and machine vision industry with a groundbreaking new approach
to these technologies. And
at FPE Automation, we’re thrilled to be partnering with Zebra to bring this
streamlined solution to industrial operations across North America.
As a global leader in barcoding, data capture, identification,
and sensor technologies since 1969, Zebra has developed an unparalleled
reputation in helping companies automate more processes and increase supply
chain traceability, quality, and visibility. But recently Zebra turned its
sights to fixed industrial scanning and machine vision, working with leading
manufacturers and technology partners to develop a better way to do both.
The end result is Zebra's new singular hardware and software
platform for both fixed scanning and machine vision, which offers the easiest
setup and integration of any solution on the market. And its powerful data
capture and vision-enabled capabilities are poised to compete with the leaders
of the industrial automation industry.
Our team
at FPE Automation has been working with Zebra on rolling out this exciting new
family of solutions, and we’re already working with our clients to help them take
advantage of Zebra's game-changing innovation in their automation and
inspection jobs.
The first big difference with Zebra's new hardware is that
it can deliver either fixed scanning or machine vision from the same device. In
fact, you can start with a fixed scanner, such as Zebra's FS20 or FS40, and later
unlock its machine vision sensing capabilities with a simple software license
upgrade.
Speaking of software, you can set up and configure jobs with
these devices using a single software application. Zebra's Aurora software
provides all the tools, settings, and guided tutorials you need to set up even
the most sophisticated fixed scanning or machine vision jobs—all
in a simple, user-friendly, and modern interface.
All settings and configurations can be modified with sliders
and radio buttons, and you get access to image auto-tuning and other features
to simplify setup, along with guided tutorials and videos to help you learn as
you go.
For example, with
Zebra's Object Locate, you can rapidly and
accurately locate objects right out of the box with optimized settings,
regardless of orientation, position, or other variances. With its QuickDraw
feature, you can draw a box around the area you want to inspect, right on the
image, and then choose and configure your preferred image capture tool.
This means beginners can get a fixed scanning or machine
vision job up and running quickly. But experts can also easily access all the
powerful analysis tools and settings they need, including filters, polarizers,
pattern recognition, edge detection, pixel counting, a blogs tool, and much
more.
Another big advantage of Zebra's hardware is that you can
capture up to 16 different images of a single target, each with its own image
settings. You can conduct more inspections and scan and check more data with
fewer devices. There are multiple exposure settings for targets that require
different lighting, and there are multiple focus plane settings for objects at
different distances.
In addition, Zebra supports all the lensing and optics
options you might need, including liquid lenses; C-mount lenses; internal lighting
with blue, white, red, infrared (IR) or multi-color; and external lighting
options including front, back, and low-angle illumination.
Zebra's devices also provide dual-Ethernet connectivity, so
you can send instructions to your devices through one Ethernet connection and
send images for cloud storage, sharing, and analysis with the other. You can
connect to virtually any network, system, or hardware device with industry
standard protocols including TCP/IP, Serial, Profinet/Modbus, and CC Link.
Additionally, since Zebra's devices also have USB-C
connectivity, you can output your results directly to a display monitor,
without having to buy and set up a separate industrial PC for this purpose.
If all of
this sounds a bit overwhelming, don’t worry. We have experts at FPE Automation who can guide you to the right solutions and help you set up your jobs with all
the right tools, settings, and hardware for the results you need.
Plus,
with the simplicity of one hardware and software platform to learn and use, and
the ability to capture more data and images with less setup time and fewer
devices, Zebra's fixed scanning and machine vision solutions will help you
learn and get up to speed faster. You can quickly start to set up and configure
jobs without outside assistance or support. But, if you need it, we’re still
there to help.
For companies that need a simpler, easier, and more
affordable way to automate data-driven or image-based production and quality
assurance processes, Zebra's new technologies are the solution.
To learn more about Zebra's revolutionary new approach to
fixed scanning and machine vision, download this brochureto
learn more about these devices and Zebra's Aurora software. Also, feel free to
connect with the industrial automation experts at FPE Automation to get more details and answers to your questions.
About FPE Automation
As leaders in industrial automation since 1963, FPE Automation has decades of extensive and proven experience in helping companies
automate more processes, boost quality output, and gain a competitive edge
through the power of technology. Visit
us now to learn how we can help your business.
DOWNLOAD THE FULL BROCHURE
