A recent machine vision project in our vision evaluation lab, utilizing lasers, highlighted the versatility of laser-illuminated camera solutions. The turnkey vision system that EPIC developed utilizes one camera and two lasers to detect unwanted objects in plastic totes. The laser solution provided several advantages over other smart-camera applications: Immune to Color Variation – the color […]
Top 5 Things to Look for in a Vision Integrator
There are more and more people offering machine vision system integration services each year. With so many companies vying for a share of this rapidly growing market, how do you determine which integrator is best for you? Below are the top five things we think any good machine vision integrator should demonstrate. 1. RELATIONSHIPS WITH […]
Mobile Manufacturing: Tablet Takeover
The speed at which we acquire and share information is increasing daily. Consumers across America can access email, check social media profiles and text, all while holding a conversation. Smart phones, tablets and laptops make it easy to share information and to have constant access to it. Manufacturing plant floors are no exception to this […]
EPIC’s Safety Scorecard
One of the first implementations of EPIC’s New Safety Program, headed by Paul Kirksey, Quality and EH&S manager, is a new Safety Scorecard prominently displayed in EPIC’s fabrication shop. The Safety Scorecard places an emphasis on the fact that safety is EPIC’s number one priority and it makes the safety record visible to every EPIC employee and all […]
OmniView Vision Technology
EPIC’s machine vision engineers have recently been working with a technology called OmniView from Cognex. OmniView uses four or five stationary cameras to achieve one complete image of 360 degrees of an object. It eliminates the need to spin parts in order to inspect them, and is a less expensive solution in many cases. The Cognex […]
The New Integration Landscape
(Source: Harmonizing Line Integration by PMPNews.com) Line integration has changed over the years. It’s not just about making several machines work together through controls and mechanical adjustments. New technologies such as machine vision and robotics have made more possible with less, but have also created new challenges for automation experts. New emphasis on line efficiency analysis, demands for validation assistance and […]
Machine Vision App Store
The App Store from Apple allowed people from all over the world to share applications with each other, creating a database of easily accessibly tools, games and programs for Apple users. Many have followed in Apple’s footsteps, with application databases for everything from phones and tablets to Internet browsers and computer desktops. It seems that […]
PLC vs. DCS
At EPIC Automation, every practical, beneficial and cost-efficient automation solution we develop is based upon industry research and trends. Before any design or development takes place, our engineers take the time to research and gain a thorough understanding of the process. In October of 2011, Bill Lydon, Editor of Automation.com wrote an article called “PLC […]
Quick History of Machine Vision
Machine Vision is a branch of computer science that has really grown over the last 20 years to become an important feature of manufacturing. Today machine vision systems provide greater flexibility and further automation options to manufacturer’s, helping to find defects, sort products and complete a number of tasks faster and more efficiently than humans […]
“Kinect”-ing With Your Production Line
HOW GAMING TECHNOLOGY WILL CHANGE MANUFACTURING The gaming world has been revolutionized by games that track a player’s natural body movements and translates them into the virtual environment. By using gesture and voice recognition, gaming consoles such as the Xbox Kinect allow players to kick a ball, shoot an arrow, and actively participate in the […]
EPIC Vision Systems
EPIC MACHINE VISION SYSTEMS