Pipette Vision Inspection System

There was a need for a vision inspection system to examine clear plastic pipettes for eight distinct defect categories.

AAE North America undertook the design and construction of an automated machine designed to deliver components to the vision system. This vision system's primary task was to identify various defects in the pipettes, including cracks, end cuts, contamination, tip imperfections, weld integrity, scuffs, concentricity issues, and flash.

The initial obstacle involved the mechanical orientation and separation of the tubes, ensuring their proper presentation to the system cameras. To address the different defect types, various lighting configurations and backgrounds were chosen for multiple cameras. Six images of each component per camera were captured as the components were rotated in front of the cameras to identify defects on the cylindrical outer surface of the pipettes.

Features of Pipette System

• 300 parts/min, 6 images of each part

• 5000 part infeed hopper and lift conveyor

• Double chain servo-driven conveyor with custom cleats

• Pipettes rejected by servo-actuated gate based on results

• 6 PPT cameras running on 4 vision processors

• Detects 8 defects on pipettes

• Custom vision user interface displays inspection results and gives user control of system parameters

• Allen Bradley HMI/PLC controls