Nova provides a way to add, combine and customise machine vision tools. It features a web interface and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, which are said to enable users to build the most challenging machine vision applications without requiring expert machine vision knowledge.
Recent updates to Nova have included new tools and features such as suppress edge artifacts in AI anomaly detection, hardware acceleration to decrease analysis time for the AI classification tool, 3D box detection, and added list functions in the Expression tool. The software platform’s AI functionality is claimed to make machine vision tasks more achievable by teaching with examples instead of manually setting up rules.
According to Sick, the Inspector83x’s integrated AI functionality makes the most challenging machine vision tasks possible with high accuracy and high-speed data transfer over industrial networks. With up to 5 MP resolution, a quad-core CPU and built-in illumination, the Sick Inspector83x is an all-in-one performer, processing AI inspections directly on the device with no need for external machine control.
Using Nova and the Inspector83x, any product design or batch changes can be added in the same way by an operator from the production line. The teach-in capability of the Sick Inspector83x can be used by non-specialists to configure AI inspections at full production speeds for common inline inspection tasks, including complex inspections of medium to large scenes, evaluating products with unpredictable features, and verifying complex assemblies.
For complex scenarios, users can access the computational power of the Sick dStudio cloud service to train their own neural network and export a small file to run on the Inspector83x. The dStudio service also offers colleague collaboration and data management.
Sick product manager Viktor Smedby, the architect of the Inspector83x, said: “The Inspector83x is the ultimate quality control tool. For applications like quality assurance, detection and sorting tasks, the Inspector83x has yet to meet an application it can’t solve. We have designed it to make quality control user-friendly and efficient, offering the perfect solution for demanding inspection tasks, even at high process speeds. In 2024, new capabilities will be added to the Inspector83x, including colour imaging.”
Nathaniel Hofmann, Sick UK market product manager - machine vision and measurement, added: “At Sick our real value lies in our ability to offer full-spectrum machine vision solutions. We’ve got a comprehensive hardware and software range. Tell us what you need and we will use our machine vision expertise to make it a reality.
“The potential of Nova-empowered machine vision is vast and we relish a challenge, working alongside customers to create bespoke solutions. As one of the very first manufacturers of 3D machine vision cameras, we bring Sick’s vast vision sensor experience, knowledge and quality to your operations.”