Sean Fenske, Editor-in-Chief03.21.24
Welcome to another entry in my ongoing #ThrowbackThursday series, an opportunity for me to revisit old Editor’s Letters from my 25 years of covering the medical device manufacturing industry. I hope they are as enjoyable a read as I am having writing them. And I hope it gives you some valuable insight into how different sectors of the industry have progressed over these last 25 years.
With that said, before I get into this edition, I must admit what was a fairly embarrassing mistake at the time. In fact, I was essentially reprimanded at the time for not asking about something I didn’t understand. In this case, may I point your attention toward the headline for the column highlighted—Providing Vision to the Machining Process.
When I first read that headline, I was curious why I had written about machine vision specifically for machining. As I read, I found no further mention of machining, metal working, or any other related process. It then occurred to me; this was around the time I did a product showcase on Machining Equipment. Unfortunately, I was unclear on the meaning of machining and trying to impress, didn’t want to come across as ignorant so I moved forward with what I envisioned machining meant. (You couldn’t just Google the term back then and find out exactly what it was, but I could have certainly asked another editor what it was.) I had done a showcase that contained…well…machines. Injection molding machines, grinding machines, packaging machines, and others. I was completely clueless that machining referred to a specific subtractive fabrication process. As a result, this column was intended to be about adding machine vision to your medical device manufacturing machines.
Now that you hopefully got a chuckle from that, on to this edition’s Editor’s Letter.
Machine vision still provides a great choice for inspection of components and devices, especially when used in line with a complete automation solution, but the capabilities have improved significantly. With the advent of artificial intelligence, machine vision is an integral part of Industry 4.0. This is where machine vision moves beyond inspection applications and into guiding robots and cobots on the production floor. It enables machines to “see” what’s happening around them and respond appropriately.
One option that is slowly increasing in popularity is machine vision. A machine vision system facilitates the high degree of necessary inspection capabilities required by medical device manufacturing companies. The overview of the system is relatively simple. The component to be inspected is illuminated, an image of it is captured with a camera, and it is processed and evaluated for flaws or imperfections. The component is then approved or rejected following this stringent inspection process.
Sure, visual inspection of components, devices, packaging, or labeling can be critical, but what about other capabilities beyond this? Incorporating X-ray functionality into a machine vision system can give even greater insights into the structural integrity of components to ensure they have been manufactured correctly. In addition, a networked machine vision system can ensure bad parts aren’t continually produced as the system can detect a problem, stop the automated line, and provide an alert to human supervisors to intervene.
Flexibility is certainly an advantage when available in a machine vision solution. This way, one system can be used for many tasks and parts, when each requires different components.
There are a variety of factors that must be considered prior to installation of a machine vision system. The type of lens can vary depending upon the application for which it will be utilized. A stock lens can be used for some tasks, but a custom lens, designed for the specific application, is ideal.
Also, proper illumination of the item is extremely important, because if the item to be inspected appears too dark, the part may be flagged as defective when it is, in fact, in perfect condition.
The processing unit must also be selected to meet the specific needs of the application although other accessories may be purchased in order to make customization a simpler process. A “smart camera” is one of the more popular options, which has the processor already built into the camera, or a variety of software packages can be purchased to simplify the process with which to control the system.
Most of this is fairly general information that holds true today. There are many more options, but a company that integrates automation solutions would be better at advising on the different elements and technologies available based on your specific application and needs. And of course, you can get in touch with several through MPO’s directory resource. (Too obvious for a shameless plug opportunity?)
While some machine vision systems are incredibly easy-to-use and quite intuitive, others are a bit more sophisticated. Either way, again, your automation integrator (or even the machine vision provider themselves) are often happy to help get you set-up and going.
Back in 2000 when this Editor’s Letter was written, the medical device manufacturing industry didn’t embrace automation quite as readily as it does today. Sure, there are still those who don’t think automation is the answer for this industry or some tasks still aren’t right for it, but those folks are certainly in the minority now as opposed to 2000. More likely than not, there’s a high quality automated solution that can be used for your needs with a complete vision inspection system to guarantee quality.
As we continue to strive for excellence in the products and components produced for the medical device industry, we must maintain an extremely high degree of quality assurance for the end users—the patients and the doctors who treat them. Is is of paramount importance that the integrity of a component is not sacrificed. Therefore, the purchase of a quality inspection system, such as a machine vision system, should be viewed as a necessary investment and not an option.
I really have nothing more to add to that. See you for the next #ThrowbackThursday edition!
With that said, before I get into this edition, I must admit what was a fairly embarrassing mistake at the time. In fact, I was essentially reprimanded at the time for not asking about something I didn’t understand. In this case, may I point your attention toward the headline for the column highlighted—Providing Vision to the Machining Process.
When I first read that headline, I was curious why I had written about machine vision specifically for machining. As I read, I found no further mention of machining, metal working, or any other related process. It then occurred to me; this was around the time I did a product showcase on Machining Equipment. Unfortunately, I was unclear on the meaning of machining and trying to impress, didn’t want to come across as ignorant so I moved forward with what I envisioned machining meant. (You couldn’t just Google the term back then and find out exactly what it was, but I could have certainly asked another editor what it was.) I had done a showcase that contained…well…machines. Injection molding machines, grinding machines, packaging machines, and others. I was completely clueless that machining referred to a specific subtractive fabrication process. As a result, this column was intended to be about adding machine vision to your medical device manufacturing machines.
Now that you hopefully got a chuckle from that, on to this edition’s Editor’s Letter.
Providing Vision to the Machining Process—Medical Design Technology, February 2000
Currently, only a small portion of the medical device manufacturing community utilizes machine vision. However, as many companies will discover, machine vision may be their optimal choice for inspection. Once programmed, a system can detect surface flaws identify defective parts, verify packaging integrity, along with a number of additional, cost-effective applications.Machine vision still provides a great choice for inspection of components and devices, especially when used in line with a complete automation solution, but the capabilities have improved significantly. With the advent of artificial intelligence, machine vision is an integral part of Industry 4.0. This is where machine vision moves beyond inspection applications and into guiding robots and cobots on the production floor. It enables machines to “see” what’s happening around them and respond appropriately.
A Superior Inspection System
As always, maintaining product quality in the medical device industry is of utmost importance since a vast majority of the finished products produced by manufacturers will have a direct impact on the treatment and recovery of patients. Therefore, investing in a superior inspection process is a high priority for many device manufacturers. However, with the number of systems to choose from, a company may not have the resources to fully research all of the options.One option that is slowly increasing in popularity is machine vision. A machine vision system facilitates the high degree of necessary inspection capabilities required by medical device manufacturing companies. The overview of the system is relatively simple. The component to be inspected is illuminated, an image of it is captured with a camera, and it is processed and evaluated for flaws or imperfections. The component is then approved or rejected following this stringent inspection process.
Sure, visual inspection of components, devices, packaging, or labeling can be critical, but what about other capabilities beyond this? Incorporating X-ray functionality into a machine vision system can give even greater insights into the structural integrity of components to ensure they have been manufactured correctly. In addition, a networked machine vision system can ensure bad parts aren’t continually produced as the system can detect a problem, stop the automated line, and provide an alert to human supervisors to intervene.
Elements of the Systems
Composed of a camera, a dependable light source, and a processing unit, the machine vision system may be utilized to inspect a variety of medical related components, from machined parts to package labeling. For further customization of the system, a company can interchange different components, such as a different type of camera or processor, to meet the needs of their specific application.Flexibility is certainly an advantage when available in a machine vision solution. This way, one system can be used for many tasks and parts, when each requires different components.
There are a variety of factors that must be considered prior to installation of a machine vision system. The type of lens can vary depending upon the application for which it will be utilized. A stock lens can be used for some tasks, but a custom lens, designed for the specific application, is ideal.
Also, proper illumination of the item is extremely important, because if the item to be inspected appears too dark, the part may be flagged as defective when it is, in fact, in perfect condition.
The processing unit must also be selected to meet the specific needs of the application although other accessories may be purchased in order to make customization a simpler process. A “smart camera” is one of the more popular options, which has the processor already built into the camera, or a variety of software packages can be purchased to simplify the process with which to control the system.
Most of this is fairly general information that holds true today. There are many more options, but a company that integrates automation solutions would be better at advising on the different elements and technologies available based on your specific application and needs. And of course, you can get in touch with several through MPO’s directory resource. (Too obvious for a shameless plug opportunity?)
Programming the System
Prior to operation of the inspection unit, a machine vision system must be programmed. Most companies that sell the system will offer programming services, however, the purchasing manufacturer can program some systems themselves. A specialist can also be utilized for the task, although this may limit any future applications with the system without additional investments.While some machine vision systems are incredibly easy-to-use and quite intuitive, others are a bit more sophisticated. Either way, again, your automation integrator (or even the machine vision provider themselves) are often happy to help get you set-up and going.
Applications
While it may seem obvious, selecting the proper applications for machine vision is not an easy task. As with any procedure in manufacturing, a company has to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the system. Will the system improve production? Will it maintain quality at a satisfactory cost? There is a wide variety of applications for a machine vision system but it must be determined if the application requires this level of inspection. As more companies aspire to utilize this technology, advances will be made to enable costs to be reduced in order to provide an even broader range of applications.Back in 2000 when this Editor’s Letter was written, the medical device manufacturing industry didn’t embrace automation quite as readily as it does today. Sure, there are still those who don’t think automation is the answer for this industry or some tasks still aren’t right for it, but those folks are certainly in the minority now as opposed to 2000. More likely than not, there’s a high quality automated solution that can be used for your needs with a complete vision inspection system to guarantee quality.
As we continue to strive for excellence in the products and components produced for the medical device industry, we must maintain an extremely high degree of quality assurance for the end users—the patients and the doctors who treat them. Is is of paramount importance that the integrity of a component is not sacrificed. Therefore, the purchase of a quality inspection system, such as a machine vision system, should be viewed as a necessary investment and not an option.
I really have nothing more to add to that. See you for the next #ThrowbackThursday edition!