{"id":116468,"date":"2024-08-30T10:27:10","date_gmt":"2024-08-30T02:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tm-robot.com\/?p=116468"},"modified":"2024-08-30T11:52:21","modified_gmt":"2024-08-30T03:52:21","slug":"case-sharing-automated-defect-detection-for-screen-printed-metal-castings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.tm-robot.com\/en\/case-sharing-automated-defect-detection-for-screen-printed-metal-castings\/","title":{"rendered":"Case Sharing: Automated Defect Detection for Screen-Printed Metal Castings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Client:<\/strong> A leading manufacturer of handcrafted sleeve components<\/p>\n

Application:<\/strong> Automated defect detection for screen-printed metal castings<\/p>\n

Challenge:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The client specializes in producing high-quality sleeve components that are distinguished by their unique screen-printed designs, which are used to differentiate between metric and imperial units. Screen printing is a key branding element, and maintaining its quality is essential. The client encountered several challenges in their manual inspection process, which included:<\/p>\n

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  1. Inconsistent Defect Detection:<\/strong> Manual inspection struggled to identify defects such as misaligned prints, overlaps, scratches, and blurriness.<\/li>\n
  2. High Labor Costs:<\/strong> The manual inspection process was labor-intensive and costly.<\/li>\n
  3. Human Error:<\/strong> Variations in inspection results due to human error led to inconsistencies in product quality.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Solution:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To overcome these challenges, the client implemented an automated inspection line using three TM AI Cobots to perform automated vision inspection. The automation process includes the following components:<\/p>\n

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    • Feeding and Screen Printing:<\/strong> Robotic arms are used to automate the feeding of cylindrical metal castings and their subsequent screen printing. This ensures precision in the placement and alignment of the screen-printed designs.<\/li>\n
    • Drying Process:<\/strong> After screen printing, the robotic arms automatically transfer the sleeves to a drying station, ensuring consistent drying times and quality.<\/li>\n
    • AI Inspection:<\/strong> Once the screen printing is complete and the castings are dried, they are imaged using a line-scan camera in conjunction with a rotator. The TM AI Cobot’s built-in vision system then conducts a detailed inspection to detect any defects, including:\n
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      • Surface Scratches:<\/strong> Ensuring the surface is free of any damage that could affect the print quality.<\/li>\n
      • Misalignment:<\/strong> Verifying that the prints are correctly positioned on the sleeve.<\/li>\n
      • Printing Overlaps:<\/strong> Identifying any issues where screen prints overlap incorrectly.<\/li>\n
      • Blurred Printing:<\/strong> Detecting areas where the print is not sharp and clear.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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