Cognex Corporation

05/10/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/10/2024 12:45

Redefining Inspection with the New In-Sight L38

Redefining Manufacturing Inspection with the New In-Sight L38


In the dynamic landscape of modern manufacturing, precision and efficiency are paramount. As the industry evolves, the tools and technologies within these industries must evolve too - and Cognex is leading that next step in evolution with the launch of the In-Sight L38 3D Vision System. It's the first - and only - vision system of its kind.

This solution merges AI, 2D, and 3D vision technologies to tackle a wide range of inspection and measurement challenges. The In-Sight L38 creates unique projection images that combine 3D information into easy-to-label 2D images for simplified training and to reveal features not visible with traditional 2D imaging.

The In-Sight L38 creates a new look for automated inspection with its unique combination of AI and advanced imaging capabilities.

Harnessing the Power of AI

At the heart of the In-Sight L38 lies the power of AI that's making machine vision systems easier to use and more powerful than ever before.

AI's ability to solve incredibly challenging production problems with simplicity is making a difference in the manufacturing world today. Thanks to AI, even smaller manufacturers who thought AI solutions were out of reach can now start taking advantage.

  • The technology performs exceptionally with minimal training, solving challenges in minutes. Traditionally, inspection systems relied on rule-based algorithms that required extensive programming.
  • It greatly boosts inspection performance. The In-Sight L38 can analyze complex 3D images with speed and accuracy to detect subtle defects seamlessly.
  • It's fast and easy to integrate into any manufacturing environment, with no prior machine vision knowledge required. The In-Sight L38 is more intelligent, adaptable, and capable of handling a wide range of inspections with little human intervention.
  • The In-Sight L38 learns and adjusts to inspection changes, ensuring performance and reliability for higher throughput rates and reductions in production costs.

Advanced Imaging Technology

Another huge advantage of the In-Sight L38 is its advanced imaging technology. Equipped with powerful optics and high-resolution sensors, the system can capture detailed 3D images, catching those hard-to-find defects.

One of the unique features of the In-Sight L38 is its laser line scanning technology. Thanks to its patented speckle-free laser optics, it minimizes noise and glare to capture higher-resolution images than traditional laser displacement sensors, while a high-powered laser delivers fast acquisition rates to support high line speeds. This ensures that the system generates clear, high-contrast images, even with challenging lighting conditions or on reflective surfaces.

Despite the many advantages and abilities of this laser technology, it still meets Class 2 safety standards. While its power and speed are impressive, equally important is its ability to maintain worker safety by reducing the risk of eye damage.

That Class 2 safety standard rating reduces the need for expensive enclosures, which lowers exposure requirements and allows for increased line speeds. This makes sure that inspections can be performed quickly and efficiently, reducing downtime, and raising productivity.

Insider Insights from Cognex

In an industry where speed and reliability are vital, the In-Sight L38 delivers. We heard from Mary Wang, a Product Marketing Specialist at Cognex, about her thoughts on the In-Sight L38: "I'm very excited for this launch. I expect the In-Sight L38 to be a very easy to use 3D product, almost like using an In-Sight 2800!

I think of 3D technology as having more functionality and the ability to solve very complex vision applications.

Typical scenarios that require 3D technology applications with robot arms: picking up objects or doing assembly tasks. The In-Sight L38 also really shines with DOT reading on tires, inspecting things like crimped toothpaste, and EV battery surface inspection to name a few.

The point cloud is the most valuable information we can get from 3D technology - the height and width and length after one scan. I also think the OCR tool is an exciting development for the future, as 3D OCR is more difficult, than parts inspection."

The Evolution of AI and 3D Technology

As we look ahead, it's clear that AI and 3D technology will continue to play a crucial role in shaping the future of manufacturing inspection. With the In-Sight L38 leading the way, we're not just solving today's challenges - we're paving the way for tomorrow.

The applications for AI and 3D technology reach far and wide, ranging from defect detection and quality control to automation and process optimization.
Here are some examples of applications the In-Sight L38 can handle:

DOT Tire Code Reading - Automotive

Read the DOT code on tires is challenging because those characters have very low-contrast black-on-black molding. With the In-Sight L38, running OCR in combination with 3D technology, characters can be read reliably.

EV Battery Inspection - Automotive

Inspecting the surface of batteries is critical for safety and reliability. Even though the reflective surface of batteries is challenging for inspection, 3D scanners like the In-Sight L38 can correctly detect bumps or scratches on the battery surface.

Crimped Toothpaste - Packaging

Reading characters on a surface like a crimped toothpaste tube can test many vision systems. The ViDi EL OCR tool can handle variations in character height, size, and font - detecting even the most miniscule characters on an uneven surface.

Packaged Food

Manufacturers of food products like candy bars or croissants need to locate, count, and inspect their products - but they can be highly variable. With the In-Sight L38, the combination of ViDi EL Segment and ViDi EL Classify, plus 3D imaging, is up to the challenge.

PCB - Electronics

Electronics manufacturers routinely need automated assembly verification. Using the high-quality image formation system in the In-Sight L38, designed for very small components and complemented by user-friendly, best-in-class edge learning tools, can effectively address this application.

Embracing the Future of Manufacturing Inspection

As manufacturers continue to face challenges and opportunities, the In-Sight L38 stands ready to meet their needs and expectations.

The introduction of the In-Sight L38 emphasizes Cognex's commitment to constant innovation and excellence in machine vision manufacturing. By setting new standards for 3D inspection and leveraging AI, Cognex continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in automated quality control and inspection.

Experience the future of manufacturing inspection today.

Bridgette Paredes | 05-10-2024

Content Marketing Specialist, Marketing Communications, Cognex

A new Cognoid recently graduated from the Gradnoid program with experience in product marketing and creating guided ease-of-use user training content for Cognex products, such as the In-Sight SnAPP and In-Sight 3D 4000. Also specializes in simplifying complex technical ideas into easy-to-comprehend content.

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