Like any sizable or complex manufacturing project, also the fasteners production involves so many processes that attaining zero defects is technically not possible but today we can LEARN FROM DEFECTS and improve the quality control.

Dimensional characteristics and material structure can be 100% controlled with the state of the art inspection and sorting machine technology, but there are still defects of aspects which often require a final visual inspection which only the human eye can guarantee by manual sorting.

AI – Artificial Intelligence comes to our aid together with the incredible computer power, available today with the latest generation of graphic controllers based on advanced microchips.

In 2020 the Dimac R&D implemented new AI algorithms to process the images taken from the surface digital cameras and to support the operator in the defect teach-in process. Defective parts are positioned below the surface cameras, the system acquires the images and the operator highlights the defect in the image on the touch screen by the available tools.

Defects like cracks, stains, deformations, hints, dents and lack of material which could not affect the part dimensions are highlighted by the operator and taught-in in the system. After the preliminary fast teach in process the system will be capable to recognize similar defects in the batch and the machine will be able to sort the parts.

Indeed the AI algorithms require the availability of an exhaustive gallery of NOK samples, in order to create a library of images of visual defects which becomes the reference for the training of the system.

The benefits of Artificial Intelligence are not limited to inspection: the Algorithms interact with the company ERP systems to exchange a large amount of data regarding the sorting cycle of every batch of fasteners: measured characteristics, attribute defects and tracking statistics about the defect distribution in the batch.

AI features are included in the last generation Dimac MCVx vision inspection software optimized for the brand new MCV6 high speed inspection & sorting machine, based on a glass rotary table.

The MCV6 represents another important step ahead of Dimac along the path to zero defect, it is an AI native machine, running with a fanless controller based on a processor of the 8th Intel generation 2660 Mhz DDR4 with GigE ports for high resolution digital cameras and ultimate USB ports for external devices.