Feasibility first: ten questions before a vision PoC

Information needed to assess an inspection

A photograph and a request for complete inspection are insufficient to specify a system. The decision, product variation, cycle time, environment and acceptance limits must be defined first.

Ten questions that determine feasibility

1. Which decision is required every cycle? Pass or fail, classify, measure, locate for a robot or read a code.
2. What do acceptable, defective and borderline parts look like? Collect representative production parts.
3. Which cycle time and error limits apply? Define available time and permitted error types separately.
4. What does the station look like? Record working distance, field of view, motion, vibration and space for lighting and cables.
5. Which lighting conditions apply? Test reflections, ambient light, cleaning and available space for backlight or dome lighting.
6. Which measurement method is required? Select only the functions needed for the primary decision.
7. Which interfaces are required? Define PLC, robot, MES, digital I/O and industrial Ethernet.
8. Who manages recipes after commissioning? Assign permissions, test procedures and approval of changes.
9. Which environmental requirements apply? Record temperature, ESD, oil, hygiene class and enclosure rating.
10. When does the trial pass? Define the part mix, speed, measurement method and acceptance limits beforehand.

Use the feasibility checklist with production, controls and maintenance.

Useful input for a feasibility test

Provide photographs of the station, representative acceptable and defective parts, a communication sketch and data on speed and changeovers. Also identify who manages settings after delivery.

Next step

Sedeco can then discuss feasibility as complete delivery, vision integration or components with application advice. Read more under How we work.