Development Of Automatic Quality Control System Using Vision System.

UNIVERSITY TEKNIKAL MALAYSIA MELAKA
DEVELOPMENT OF AUTOMATIC QUALITY CONTROL
SYSTEM USING VISION SYSTEM
This report submitted in accordance with requirement of the Universiti Teknikal
Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for the Bachelor Degree of Manufacturing Engineering
(Robotics and Automation) with honours

by

CHIN GEE SING
B050710006

FACULTY OF MANUFACTURING ENGINEERING
2011

DECLARATION

I hereby, declared this report entitled “Development of Automatic Quality Control
System Using Vision System” is the results of my own research except as cited in
references.


Signature

:

Author’s Name

:

CHIN GEE SING

Date

:

18 MAY 2011

APPROVAL

This report is submitted to the Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering of UTeM as a
partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Manufacturing

Engineering (Robotics and Automation) with honours. The member of the supervisor
committee is as follow:

……………………………………….
Supervisor

ABSTRAK

Mesin sistem visi banyak digunakan dalam industri untuk tujuan pemeriksaan.
Sistem menyusun automatik dan sistem pemeriksaan visi yang dilaksanakan untuk
integrasi telah membina sistem automasi. Kecekapan ia memeriksa dan menyusun
secara teratur telah member banyak faedah untuk mengatasi kelemahan sistem
konvensional yang dijalankan oleh pekerja. Integrasi konveyor ke sistem yang
dicadangkan adalah untuk menghantarkan objek untuk diperiksa. Kemudian, sistem
pemeriksaan dimulakan dari pengesanan sensor fotoelektrik untuk mengaktifkan
“webcam” menangkap gambar melalui satu PLC. Gambar yang ditangkap akan
didigitalkan oleh “webcam” dan menghantar ke hos komputer untuk pemprosesan
gambar dengan menggunakan perisian Vision Builder Automated Inspection (VBAI).
Konfigurasi untuk perisian VBAI akan dipelajarikan sebelum pemeriksaan visi
dijalankan. Sementara itu, grafik antara muka pengguna direkakan dengan

menggunakan

perisian

Labview

tujuan

untuk

pengguna

mengawasi

and

mengawalkan sistem tersebut. Objek yang diperiksa akan disusun secara teratur oleh
robot. Ia adalah satu robot enam paksi yang mempunyai ruang kerja yang berbentuk
separuh-bola. Namun, integrasi elektronik seperti papan “relay” adalah diperlukan
untuk menyelesaikan masalah ketidaksamaan voltan antara PLC dan prosesor Rhino.

Sebagai kesimpulan, projek ini telah dijalankan untuk mengklasifikasikan objek
dengan menggunakan pemeriksaan secara visual dan eksperimental validasi ke atas
prestasi sebenarnya.

i

ABSTRACT

Machine vision systems are widely used in manufacturing industries for inspection
purpose. The implementation of automated sorting system to machine vision system
has develops an integration of automation system. Its efficiency to inspect parts and
sort according to order offers advantages which against the limitation of conventional
human-operated system. The integration of a conveyor to the proposed system feeds
the inspected parts for inspection purposes. Then, the inspection system is started
from a detection of photoelectric sensor to trigger USB webcam by image acquisition
via a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC). The webcam digitized the image data in
order to send to host computer for image processing by using Vision Builder
Automated Inspection (VBAI) software. The configuration of VBAI is studied on a
personal computer before vision inspection is carried out. On the other hand, a
graphical user interface (GUI) is designed by using Labview for person-in-charge to

monitor and control the entire system. After classification from VBAI software, the
inspected parts are arranged accordingly by Rhino robot. It is a six axis robot arm
which consists of a hemisphere of work space. Though, integration of electronic
hardware such as relay boards are necessary to solve the different voltage signal
between PLC and Rhino controller. As a result, this project is performed to classify
parts by using developed visual-based inspection and experimental validated its
actual performance.

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank for peoples who guided and contributed in various ways to this
PSM I report. This report would not have been possible without the expert advice
and suggestion of my PSM supervisor, Dr. Zamberi bin Jamaludin. Thank you Dr.
Zamberi for the invaluable information and suggestions that you provided and your
willingness for contribute your precious time to this effort. Besides that, I also thanks
to laboratory technician, En. Faizul and Pn. Norhafisah for giving me technical
support.
Thanks also to the Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM) for offering PSM

as a compulsory subject for students to gain skills on organizing a project.
Beyond the professional involved in this report, my coursemate and family were also
quite influential in this work. Thanks to my coursemate for sharing their precious
opinion, experience, comments and resources. Thank you for being there to listen to
my gripe about my work. Thanks for my beloved family unending support and
motivation.
Finally, thanks for the peoples who were there to lend a hand along the way. Thank
you.

iii

DEDICATION

I dedicate this report to my beloved parents, without their patience, support
understanding and most of all loves, the completion of work would have not been
possible.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENT


Abstract

i

Abstrak

ii

Dedication

iii

Acknowledgement

iv

Table of Content

v


List of Tables

ix

List of Figures

x

List Abbreviations

xiii

1. INTRODUCTION

1

1.1

Background


1

1.2

Problem Statement

2

1.3

Objectives

2

1.4

Scope

3


1.5

Expected Result

3

1.6

Content

3

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

5

2.1

Introduction


5

2.2

Vision System

5

2.3

Machine Vision Component

7

2.3.1

Vision Sensor Types

9

2.3.1.1

CCD

9

2.3.1.2

CMOS

14

2.3.1.3

Comparison between CCD and CMOS

17

2.3.2

Image Processing Technique

18

2.3.2.1

Smoothing Technique

20

2.3.2.1.1 Lowpass Filter

20

2.3.2.1.2 Local Average

21

2.3.2.1.3 Gaussian Filter

21
v

2.3.2.1.4 Median Filter

21

2.3.2.2

22

Edge Detection Technique

2.3.2.2.1 Prewitt Operator

23

2.3.2.2.2 Sobel Operator

24

2.3.2.2.3 Roberts Operator

24

2.4

Sorting System

25

2.4.1

Robot

26

2.4.2

Types of Robot Manipulator

27

2.5

Conveyor

29

2.5.1

Traditional Conveyor

30

2.5.2

Evolution of Conveyor

30

2.6

Measurement Devices

31

2.6.1

Analogue-to-Digital Converter

32

2.6.2

Photoelectric Sensor

33

2.7

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

36

2.8

Summary

38

3. METHODOLOGY

39

3.1

Introduction

39

3.2

Overall Research Strategies

39

3.3

Project Structure

43

3.3.1

Image Processing Procedures

45

3.4

Characterization of System Components

46

3.4.1

Conveyor

47

3.4.2

Rhino Robot Arm

48

3.4.3

Webcam

49

3.4.4

Personal Computer

49

3.4.5

Photoelectric Sensor

50

3.4.6

Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)

52

3.5

Summary

52

4. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP AND PROCEDURES

55

4.1

55

Introduction

vi

4.2

Experimental Setup

55

4.2.1

Hardware Component

55

4.2.2

Software Component

58

4.2.2.1

Logic of Electrical Control System

58

4.2.2.2

PC Access

60

4.2.2.3

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

62

4.2.2.4

Image Processing Configuration

63

4.2.2.5

Pick and Place Configuration

66

4.3

Experimental Setup Procedures

67

4.4

Summary

68

5. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

69

5.1

Introduction

69

5.2

Results

69

5.2.1

Ladder Diagram

70

5.2.2

Development of I/O Server

71

5.2.3

Graphical User Interface Design and Data Binding

72

5.2.4

Vision Inspection

74

5.2.5

Sorting

75

5.3

Discussion

75

5.3.1

Circuit Board for Relay

76

5.3.2

Matched Timing and Sequence between Robot Arm

77

and Image Acquisition
5.3.3

Numeric Indicators

77

5.4

Suggestion

78

5.4.1

Robot Feedback

78

5.4.2

Robot Efficiency

79

5.5

Summary

79

6. CONCLUSION

80

REFERENCES

82

vii

APPENDICES

85

A

Ladder Diagram

86

B

Rhino Robot Programming

90

C

Block Diagram of GUI

92

viii

LIST OF TABLES

2.1

Feature and Performance Comparison of CCD and

18

CMOS
2.2

Correction Factor for Direct Reflective Photoelectric

35

Sensor
3.1

Gantt Chart for FYP I

53

3.2

Gantt Chart for FYP II

54

4.1

Step for PLC Configuration

59

4.2

Configuration of PC Access

61

4.3

GUI Configuration of Labview

62

4.4

Image Processing Configuration on VBAI

64

4.5

Rhino Robot Configuration using RoboTalkWindow

66

5.1

Condition for Combination of Colour and Shape

70

ix

LIST OF FIGURES

2.1

Basic Functions of Machine Vision System

6

2.2

The Coordinate Convention of Pixels That Represent Digital

7

Images
8

2.3

The Basic Components of a Vision System

2.4

The Example of CCD Image Sensor

10

2.5(a)

CCD Pixel

12

2.5(b)

Architecture

12

2.6

Basic Principle of The Charge-Coupled Device

13

2.7

CMOS Sensor is Implemented in Low-End Web-Cam

14

2.8

CMOS Vision Sensor Floorplan

15

2.9

Schematic of The RGB Colour Cube

19

2.10

The Level of Histogram of Gray Scales

19

2.11

Calculating The Median Value of a Pixel Neighbourhood

22

2.12

A 3 × 3 Region Mask

23

2.13

Prewitt Horizontal and Vertical Operators

23

2.14

Sobel Convolution Kernels

24

2.15

The Computation Method of a Pixel

24

2.16

Roberts Cross Convolution Masks

25

2.17

The Closed-Loop Control System

27

2.18

Cartesian Robot

27

2.19

Cylindrical Robot

28

2.20

Spherical Robot

28

2.21

Articulated Robot

29

2.22

Traditional Conveyor

30

2.23

Steps in Analog-to-Digital Conversion of Continuous Analog

32

Signals from Process
2.24

Thru-Beam Photoelectric Sensor Detection

34

2.25

A Reflection with Reflector Photoelectric Sensor Detection

34

Method
2.26

A Direct Reflection Photoelectric Sensor Detection Method
x

35

2.27

Siemens Programmable Logic Controller, S7-200

36

2.28

Components of a PLC

37

3.1

Overall Work Flow Chart

41

3.2

The Flow Chart Illustrates The Data Collection and Data Study

42

3.3

The Flow Chart of Proposed System

44

3.4

Image Processing Flow Chart

46

3.5

The Schematic Diagram of Integrated System

47

3.6

A Belt Conveyor

47

3.7

Rhino Robot Arm

48

3.8

A Home-Used Webcam

49

3.9

A Personal Computer

50

3.10

Photoelectric Sensor

51

3.11

Siemens S7-200 PLC

52

4.1

CAD Drawing for Webcam Attachment on Conveyer

56

4.2

Actual Frame Mounting on Conveyor

56

4.3

Designed Logic Circuit Board

57

4.4

Overall Experimental Setup

68

5.1

Actual Sorting Result That is Performed by Rhino Robot

70

5.2

Designed Ladder Diagram

71

5.3

Develops and I/O Server Module using PC Access

72

5.4

GUI of The Integrated System

73

5.5

Select The Source Item in Data Binding

73

5.6

State Program for Vision Inspection

74

5.7

Inspection Step for State: Circle Red: x1

75

5.8

Relay Circuit Board Used to Triggered PLC and Motor of

76

Conveyor
5.9

Relay Circuit Board Used to Trigger Robot from PLC Input

77

Signal
5.10

Numeric Indicators for Accept and Reject Counting

xi

78

A1

Ladder Diagram

85

A2

Ladder Diagram

86

A3

Ladder Diagram

87

A4

Ladder Diagram

88

A5

Ladder Diagram

89

C1

Block Diagram for GUI

92

xii

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS

ADC

-

Analogue-to-Digital Converter

APS

-

Active Pixels

CAPS

-

Complementary Active Pixels Sensors

CCD

-

Charged-Couple Device

CCTV

-

Close Circuit Television

CID

-

Charge-Injection Devices

CMOS

-

Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor

DOF

-

Degree of Freedom

GUI

-

Graphical User Interface

I/O

-

Input/Output

LED

-

Light Emitter Diode

OLE

-

Object Linking and Embedding

OPC

-

OLE for Process Control

PC

-

Personal Computer

PCB

-

Printed Circuit Board

PIC

-

Person-in-charge

PLC

-

Programmable Logic Controller

PMOS

-

P-type metal-oxide-semiconductor

PPP

-

Prismatic, Prismatic, Prismatic

PPS

-

Passive Pixels

PVC

-

Polyvinyl Chloride

RGB

-

Red, Green, Blue

RPP

-

Rotary, Prismatic, Prismatic

ROI

-

Region of Interest

RRP

-

Rotary, Rotary, Prismatic

RRR

-

Rotary, Rotary, Rotary

USB

-

Universal Serial Bus

VBAI

-

Vision Builder Automated Inspection

VDC

-

Voltage Direct Current

VLSI

-

Very-large-scale integration
xiii

2-D

-

Two dimensions

3-D

-

Three dimensions

xiv

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

1.1

Background

The essential goals in the implementation of automation system in the industries are
to provide improvement in human operator variances and operational efficiency. It is
known in that many cases, product quality consistency can vary depending on the
characteristic of human operators who are on duty. Hence, automation system should
be provided to improve this variance. The problem associated with human-assisted
operation is characterized by cycle time, repeatability and material handling.
Although operational efficiency has been given a top priority, human operators are
still exposed to high probability of injuries, long-term similar working scope in fast
motion, applications naked eyes inspection-based system and insufficient break time.
In order to improve operational efficiency and to improve safety of human operators,
there is a need for efficient, high repeatability and cost effective human-assisted
operation equipment. Mechanized and automized solution that are properly sized
with suitable modularized structure can greatly improve the safety of personnel as
well as efficiency and quality of production. In addition, such efficient automation
system with high repeatability can greatly improve the operational efficiency,
product quality and product consistency when applied in combination with intelligent
instrumentation and advanced control.
The mechanized and automized operation system include robot arm, programmed
conveyor system, inspection system and host computer are necessitated to implement
in industries purposely to increase operational efficiency and product quality. A 6
degree of freedom (D.O.F) of robot arm which possess wide working area has
1

enlarge the approaching region and various orientation. Therefore, it is a wise
solution to be used to substitute the folklore operation system like human operator in
industries by robot arm. Besides, the evolution of conveyor from manual operate to
automated conveyor system has enhanced the product handling and increase the
cycle time as well. The implementation of vision system for inspection in production
line becomes a booster for inspection compare to old-fashion naked eye inspection.
The mechanized and automized systems are integrated with intelligent vision system
enable the whole production processes execute in fully automatic. Thus, the
operational efficiency is increase effectively and greatly decreases the variances of
product quality.

1.2

Problem Statement

Nowadays, human-operator based industries require longer time to inspect using
naked eye and sort the products into the correct slot or container. This action of
inspection and sorting consume more time and results in the operators unable to meet
the cycle time. Low repeatability is one the effects of long working time on similar,
repeating working scope at fast motion. Therefore, the operators may get tired and
bored resulting in bad inspection and sorting quality of the products. Due to the
limitations, an automated inspection system based on a vision system integrated into
a pick-and-place robot is required.

1.3

Objectives

Based on the problem statements stated above, several objectives are to be obtained
at the end of this project. The objectives of this project are:
i.

To design visual-based inspection system

ii.

To classify and sort products using vision inspection system

2

1.4

Scope

This project will focus on vision-based inspection and products sorting. The scopes
of this project are:
i.

Image acquisition using a webcam.

ii.

Configure vision inspection algorithm based on Vision Builder Automated
Inspection (VBAI).

iii.

Validate vision inspection system by interfacing a pick-and-place robot, a
webcam, a personal computer, a programmable logic controller (PLC), and a
conveyor.

iv.

Classify product in term of different colours and shapes.

The fabrication of conveyor, robot arm and development of software will not be
covered in this project.

1.5

Expected Result

This project is expected to improve the inspection process in terms of colour sorting
and shape orientation for packaging purpose. The product will be conveyed and
inspected for its colour and differentiated in term of shape using image processing
technique. A robot then removes the product and places it in a correct slot at right
orientation.

1.6

Content

This report is presented in several chapters that describe the development of
automatic quality control system using vision system. Chapter 2 discusses the
Literature Review that describes about the related information from journals and
books. Chapter 3 describes the Methodology of the proposed work and shows a flow
chart of process that explains the operational process supported with some statement.
3

Chapter 4 explains the Experimental Setup and Procedures of the installation and
integration of vision-based inspection system and sorting system. Chapter 5
illustrates on Results and Discussion about the results obtained from experiment. The
important findings will be presented in a comprehensive manner. A comparison
between the desired result and the actual result are performed in order to identify any
limitations to the system that is being proposed. In addition, the projected objectives
will be reviewed to ensure that goals met. Furthermore, suitable recommendation for
further improvement to the system will be included. Chapter 6 will conclude the
entire project with summarize the main findings and review the scopes covered.

4

CHAPTER 2
LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1

Introduction

This chapter discusses the literature review related to the proposed vision-based
inspection system. Review of previously developed systems in literature review are
discussed and illustrated. This chapter discusses mainly the vision system, sorting
system, conveyor and sensors that are relevant to the development of the proposed
system.

2.2

Vision System

Vision system can be described as image acquisition, followed by image processing
and interpretation. The processed image data is transferred by computer for some
other useful application. Vision system is classified into two dimensional (2-D) and
three dimensional (3-D). 2-D is most suitable for industrial applications that include
dimension measurement, gauging, check for the presence of components and etc.
(Groover, 2000). Vision systems are widely used in inspection section in industry.
The implementation of vision system increase the efficiency and accuracy of
inspection process because the high repeatability and accuracy of machine has
overcome the disadvantages of human-based operation system. Thus, sales of 2-D
vision system outnumber those of 3-D systems by more than ten to one. Figure 2.1
shows the basic functions of machine vision system.

5

Figure 2.1: Basic functions of machine vision system (Groover, 2000).

Image data acquisition is accomplished using a video camera where the image data is
transferred to digitizing system to store the data for further analysis. The camera is
focused on the region of interest (ROI), and an image data is obtained by dividing the
viewing area into a matrix pixel, arranged in pixel arrays. The intensity value of a
pixel is converted by analog-to-digital converter (ADC) to equivalent digital value
which is proportional to the light intensity. An image is represented in continuous
with respect to the x- and y- coordinates and in amplitude as well. In order to convert
it to digital form, an image is needed to digitizing the coordinate value (sampling)
and digitizing the amplitude value (quantization). In practice, the arrangement of
sensor used will determines the method of sampling to generate the image (Gonzalez
and Woods, 2002). The result of sampling and quantization of an image function, f(x,
y) now become discrete quantities resulting in a digital image with M rows and N
columns based on the matrix shown in equation 2.1. The coordinate convention of
pixels that represent digital images is shown in figure 2.2.

6