New member of the Micro-Epsilon Group: INB Vision AG
The Micro-Epsilon group continues to grow and in November 2010 took over INB Vision AG, based in Magdeburg, Germany, after it had entered a status of protected bankruptcy. INB is boosting the Group's expertise in the field of 3D image processing systems for surface inspection. This expertise has great synergy with software development and sensor technology sectors. Robert Wagner, former Head of Development for 2D/3D measurement technology at Micro-Epsilon, will take over the management of the company. INB's core competencies are 3D sensors and systems that use structured light projection, as well as software for the detection and analysis of surface defects. The solutions developed by INB are able to record from a few cm² up to about 1m² as a 3D point cloud, using two or more cameras and a projector. INB has a wealth of experience in the configuration of sensors, as well as all the necessary software modules for calculating 3D data. These sensors are suitable for all surfaces that diffusely reflect at least part of the light. Examples of surface materials include steel, aluminium, plastics and ceramics. In particular, as an addition to Micro-Epsilon’s reflectCONTROL product range for the inspection of reflective surfaces, the full range of surfaces are now covered. The sensors can be mounted in a fixed position, on a gantry system or robot. INB has an extensive portfolio of different methods of evaluating 3D-data. One major core competency is the evaluation of 3D data using artificial neural networks. A specially developed associative memory has been developed, which is trained with faultless, error-free components. On the basis of this data, the software is able to safely and objectively identify and assess deviations from the error-free components that are, in some cases, much smaller than the geometric tolerances of the components. In addition, INB is developing a digital Whetstone, similar to those commonly used in the automotive industry, and which is capable of finding and dimensionally evaluating minor surface indentations or depressions.