‘Revolutionary’ inspection system needs no machine vision expertise
19 November 2024 
At its annual Automation Fair in the US, Rockwell Automation has launched a visual inspection system that uses AI (artificial intelligence) and machine learning to “revolutionise quality control” in manufacturing. Called FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI, it is designed to help manufacturers to improve product quality, maximise yield, and gain insights from real-time production data. The no-code application allows quality personnel and plant operators to train AI models easily and to deploy them across production lines without needing specialised machine vision expertise.
“FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI empowers manufacturers to detect even the most subtle anomalies in product quality, enabling them to take corrective action quickly,” says Rockwell’s vice-president for industry solutions, Arvind Rao. “It offers manufacturers a robust solution to not only detect anomalies with unparalleled accuracy and time-to-value, but also to optimise decision-making through AI-driven insights, ultimately improving operational efficiency”.
Key functions built into the inspection system include:
- Anomaly detection The system finds and classifies previously undetectable defects, delivering actionable insights
- Remote visibility, configuration and management It offers manufacturers remote, centralised configuration and management of all of their inspection systems, and visibility into their quality data from any location, helping them to understand performance trends across production lines
- Out-of-the-box analytics Built-in quality data analysis using pre-built dashboards, automated reporting, and quality event notifications, that drive root cause analysis and continuous improvement
- Automation integration The system integrates with Rockwell’s control systems for closed-loop quality control
- Scalable hardware The system supports real-time inspections at production speeds using off-the-shelf components, and integrates with standard Rockwell hardware such as its ASEM IPCs and Logix PLCs.
This technology is supported by a partnership between Rockwell Automation and Elementary, a Rockwell investment and vision AI company. FactoryTalk Analytics VisionAI is built on secure SOC 2-compliant cloud technology, ensuring enterprise-level manageability and cybersecurity. It integrates with Rockwell’s FactoryTalk Hub and other automation systems, offering a streamlined, scalable way of enhancing manufacturing quality and productivity.
