Quality assurance in the press shop
through artificial intelligence (AI)

AI.SEE™ is a artificial intelligence based, visual Quality control and error detection system for producers in the Pressing plantwhich can be easily integrated into both new and existing outfeed conveyors thanks to its modular mounting technology.

Live recorded test images of components with typical errors of a pressing plant - like Cracks, Constrictions or Fractions – werden bereits an der Linie ausgewertet und nach der Prüfung entsprechende Folgeprozesse angesteuert.

Digitalisation in the pressing shop of Industry 4.0

The introduction of advanced artificial intelligence in all parts of the production process also opens up new possibilities for modernising quality assurance in the press shop. The limits of conventional quality control have been reached, particularly in terms of the time required for a visual inspection. If you want to guarantee an efficient and 100 per cent inspection of the production part in production, you cannot do without technical means. However, even these quickly reach their limits without artificial intelligence. Fixed digitalisation algorithms that are used to analyse sensor data for quality-relevant features are extremely complex and costly to develop. However, they cannot be used flexibly, as their procedure must be precisely defined in advance and a consistent situation must be guaranteed by the producer.

In contrast, optical quality assurance can increase efficiency and guarantee complete in-line quality control thanks to intelligent inspection processes. For a pressing plant, this means that every production part can be fully inspected for quality defects at the press exit, enabling direct error correction.

Digitisation of press shops with AI.SEE™
Press Shop Retrofit

With the help of AI.SEE™, the quality assurance of your pressing plant can be fully modernised. It is not absolutely necessary to replace the entire pressing plant. After analysing the pressing plant, automation experts will find the right solution to optimise quality control. AI.SEE™ from elunic offers the option of relying on purely optical quality assurance thanks to AI. This means that the pressing plant does not have to be extensively rebuilt. The installation of standardised cameras is sufficient to guarantee quality assurance that can make decisions at the level of a trained quality management employee. The retrofit can also mean that your press shops can once again achieve longer maintenance intervals. These maintenance intervals often become a costly factor for systems that have been in use for a long time. Modernisation therefore not only achieves success in terms of efficiency and productivity, but also results in lower maintenance and servicing costs.

AI.SEE inspection cell in the press shop
The all-in-one solution from a single source

The AI.SEE™ inspection cell supplements existing outfeed conveyors with a fully automated quality inspection. The inspection cell is adapted to the production environment in the pressing plant with a high degree of contamination and high production speed.

AI.SEE™ – An innovative solution customised for your press shop

100% Inline

Minimally invasive addition to the existing EOL outfeed conveyor

Robust

Long-lasting and low-maintenance image capture thanks to static camera system

Fast

Cycle time-neutral testing and evaluation in motion or in cycle.

Economical

Cost reduction by relieving the workers on the outfeed conveyor and reducing returns.

Expandable

Surface defects such as constrictions can be added independently without any problems

Data Ownership

Full access to AI models and image data also leads to competitive advantages in the future.

Manufacturing processes in pressing plants

To optimise the Quality control on Sheet metal parts optimised in the best possible way, it is essential to know the applied Procedure in the manufacturing process. With the Production of sheet metal parts is dominated by the production process of forming. Consisting of Rollers, Open-die forging, Drop forging, Impact extrusion, Extrusion moulding, Deep drawing and Bending is that Reshaping a manufacturing process in which no material is added or removed. As a result, it retains its mass and cohesion.

However, before machine forming can take place in the Pressing plant the plastic material must be brought to the correct size. In the Cutting one pressing plant are realised by means of Cutting plants, Cutting systems or Lasering the raw materials are precisely prepared for further processing by forming.

Typical fault patterns in a pressing plant - necking, cracks, etc.

Conventional defects include cracks, punch marks, constrictions, breaks and scratches. If, for example, the quality of the material is already inadequate on delivery, this can easily lead to defective workpieces in the pressing plant. In addition to the general quality of the materials, other factors also play a role in production. Tarnishing effects or tolerances in the mould can mean that quality requirements cannot be met during the production of a component.

Find out if AI can automate your quality inspection

In addition to the fully automated quality inspection, the system can also be installed in-line using a test facility, allowing artificial intelligence to be tested with a low investment. If you are interested, please fill out the questionnaire and get in touch with our contact person.

Significant cost savings through early fault detection

Different experiences often lead to different interpretations when inspecting the components and if a defect is not detected, further production steps result in high costs for the customer.

Kosten Presswerk — Kostenfaktoren in Presswerken

Retrofit: Integration into existing systems

The inspection cell can either be integrated into an existing sound insulation system or attached to an existing outfeed conveyor.

In order to integrate AI.SEE™ into existing IT architectures, elunic provides APIs that provide functions such as image upload, download, evaluation, reports, ERP connection and much more.