Maximum product quality
Consistent quality, regardless of shift and personnel.
Cost efficiency
Reduced production costs thanks to minimised manual intervention.
Throughput time
Optimised production cycles for greater efficiency
Safety benefits
Reduced risk of accidents by isolating high-risk processes.
Modular design
Simple relocation and quick recommissioning.
The industry is facing the challenge of meeting ever-higher quality requirements while simultaneously increasing production efficiency. To address these demands, ENGMATEC GmbH has developed an innovative automation line tailored to these needs. Flexible parts such as hoses, rubber components, cables or textile fabrics present special challenges for quality control. The flexibility and varied shape of these parts make manual inspection difficult. However, optical tolerance checks, especially in automated inspection processes, offer a reliable solution.
AI-supported optical inspection
AI-supported optical inspection is a central component of the automation line. This technology, developed in collaboration with IAL, uses high-resolution images to check the quality of each finished part. The AI compares the images with reference images of flawless products and uses self-organising maps (SOMs) to detect deviations and defects. This method significantly reduces the need for manual inspections and ensures an impressive 99.7% detection accuracy for defective parts according to the 3-sigma rule. This reduces labour requirements by up to 80%, making production companies significantly more competitive.
Detailed process description
The automation line comprises several coordinated processes that ensure efficient and high-quality production:
Each removed part passes through an automated labelling station, which ensures clear identifiability and traceability.
With the help of an integrated AOI cell (automatic optical inspection), each product is precisely measured to guarantee the highest quality standards.
A shuttle system transfers the product to a robot, which guides it through the subsequent processing steps, including the automated application of protective caps.
The products are stacked in predefined patterns in small load carriers (SLC) to enable efficient and safe further processing.
For quick and easy quality control, test parts can be requested at any time – ideal for sample productions!
Jedes entnommene Teil durchläuft eine automatisierte Label-Station, die eine eindeutige Identifizierbarkeit und Rückverfolgbarkeit gewährleistet.
Mithilfe einer integrierten AOI-Zelle (automatische optische Inspektion) wird jedes Produkt präzise vermessen, um höchste Qualitätsstandards zu garantieren.
Ein Shuttle-System übergibt das Produkt an einen Roboter, der es durch die weiteren Bearbeitungsschritte führt, inklusive der automatisierten Anbringung von Schutzkappen.
Die Produkte werden in vordefinierten Mustern in Kleinladungsträger (KLT) gestapelt, um eine effiziente und sichere Weiterverarbeitung zu ermöglichen.
Für eine schnelle und einfache Qualitätskontrolle können jederzeit Testteile angefordert werden – ideal für Musterproduktionen!
Customisable system concept
Our innovative frame design guarantees that all processes and robots are safely and compactly housed in a closed machine housing with a roof. This enables simple and cost-effective relocation and quick recommissioning. This efficiency and flexibility is unparalleled in the market.
Our solution offers flexible guidance of components with similar requirements through EOL inspection and packaging. It is a future-proof, reusable system that adapts to your needs. ENGMATEC’s advanced automation line represents a milestone in the production of flexible parts. This solution is setting new standards in quality, efficiency and safety. Our technology helps to optimise production processes and sustainably increase competitiveness.
Partner and customer feedback
Our AI software's full potential was realised through precise integration into the optical inspection by ENGMATEC. The speed and effectiveness with which challenges were addressed was particularly impressive.
Dr. Peter-Christian Zinn
Industrial Analytics Lab GmbH
This is a top-class system. I know what I'm talking about because I look after the six systems produced by ENGMATEC on a daily basis.
Egzon Kastrati
Schichtleiter Produktion Premium Plattform Electric, SMA Metalltechnik GmbH
