Wittmann Battenfeld Bets by PowerVision

The strict quality standards imposed on products manufactured by moulding by injection make the requirements for the quality inspection increasingly older. Due to the demand for a 100% quality inspection, and a simultaneous reduction of costs, the monitoring of optical quality through digital cameras has become the norm in recent years.

In addition to being present in the majority of Wittmann automations, the visualization of the function of measurement in the Unilog B6 control will also allow the user of the machine monitor the results. This integrated concept, after various automation projects, has been implanted for the first time on the machine of micro injection Wittmann Battenfeld MicroPower.

Measurements are carried out through the In-Sight Micro ISM 1403-11 Cognex smart camera. As soon as the program has loaded, it is able to perform the measurements required automatically.

The user interface PowerVision has been created specifically for the MicroPower with software Explorer Cognex In-Sight. It undertakes the majority of the usual audit tasks in practice. During development has paid particular attention to simplify the operation to make it more clear. The current version of PowerVision allows customers to perform on-site checks, as well as inspections of quality in up to 8 cavities of mould halves placed on the turntable of the MicroPower.

The display is based on a connection between the VisionView user interface and Unilog B6 control configured with Windows XP. Cognex and Wittmann Battenfeld have applied all its efforts to optimise the coordination of the two systems. Access times for Power Vision and Unilog B6 control system are already almost as short as the VisionView panel.

Unilog B6 control system only allows access to the PowerVision once the user has been registered in the system. In this way we avoid involuntary alterations of the measurement or the limits of your camera program.

In addition, the fuel transfer has VGA and USB connectors. This allows the user to connect an additional monitor to see the PowerVision software, for example, near the area of rejected parts. The USB connector also lets you modify values through also save images in a USB memory stick or USB mouse.

Access to the camera is using a vertical robot Scara W8VS2 of Wittmann. To provide customers with greater ease, the functions of the learning programme that should be monitored in relation to specific products in the "Quick Editor" R8.2 Wittmann control function have been installed. In this way, the settings of parameters based on images can be adjusted step by step.

The robot transmitting the signal for the capture of the image along with the number of the corresponding cavity. As the MicroPower has been equipped with a turntable on the side of the ejector for short cycle, the respective mold half of the piece that has to be measured, is also transmitted to the camera. Below, the relevant information is transmitted to the robot, starting with 'image recorded' signal. At that time, the robot can begin to move in order to minimize cycle times. The selection of good or bad parts communicates the robot after the evaluation of the image. For the future are expected to make specific types of defects are definable, so that they can document and keep statistical records.

Many of the usual lighting systems require an external transformer for controlling the intensity of the light necessary to record the image. In this case, the correct light intensity is adjusted manually with the help of a potentiometer. On the contrary, the continuous light of the In-Sight Micro of Cognex connects directly and is controlled by the camera. In this way, through the application of the latest LED technology, intensive lighting systems have been replaced by the flash device with significant saving of energy. This system even allows to avoid unintended changes in the intensity of the light.