:::

【2021 Application Example】 Optical industry AOI imports AI Great Leap Forward to completely solve the pain points of lens defect detection

The stay-at-home economy such as smartphones and remote working is booming, and the information and communication industry is booming, driving the optical industry to flourish. However, the defect detection of optical lenses is mostly carried out by human eyes, which is not only time-consuming and labor-intensive, but also limited by the fact that human eyes are prone to fatigue. The misjudgment rate is also a lingering pain point for the optical industry. Benefiting from the evolution of AI technology, Shangyang Optics introduced diffraction optical technology for shooting, used the images captured by the system as the data source, introduced AI model training, and integrated the camera system and image recognition into a production line workstation, greatly improving defect identification The rate is as high as over 90%.

Taiwan’s optical production value accounts for 10% of the world’s, and the application range of precision optics is expanding day by day

The optical industry is a mainstream product in consumer electronics. Even though Taiwan was affected by the Sino-US trade dispute in 2019, the output value of optoelectronics still reached US$46.3 billion, accounting for 10% of the world's total. Among them, the "precision optics" segment accounts for NT$87 billion (approximately US$2.9 billion) in output value. In view of the increase in the number of smartphone lenses, precision optics still maintains a sustained growth of 4% compared to the decline in other fields.

Since Sharp launched the world's first camera phone equipped with a rear 110,000-pixel lens in 2000, end consumers' requirements for smartphone camera performance have continued to increase, and with the wave of 5G high-speed Internet The advent of the technology has led to the activation of application markets such as augmented reality (AR) or virtual reality (VR). The innovation and application of its technology have added a lot of momentum to the optical industry, and the application fields have extended from smartphones to popularization. to the mass consumer markets such as automobiles and home entertainment.

Optical lenses are inseparable from the economic development of "precision optics". As semiconductor technology continues to mature and network speeds continue to increase, optical lenses are used not only in smartphones, tablets, traditional cameras, projectors, In the field of people's livelihood vehicles, the demand for engineering visual inspection and security applications in high-precision manufacturing processes continues to grow rapidly.

Optical lens defects Detection is mostly done manually.

▲ Optical lens defect detection is mostly done manually.

"Optical lenses" are essential components of the overall optical-mechanical system. The lens finish inspection after incoming materials and before shipment not only affects the overall production line efficiency development, but also has an impact on the quality commitment of end customers that cannot be underestimated. For a long time, the optical industry has mostly used human eye detection for defect inspection. As production volume continues to increase, not only labor costs continue to rise. As inspectors age, their eyesight gradually declines, and the misjudgment rate increases every year. In addition, manpower recruitment has been difficult in recent years. Even if they are lucky enough to be recruited, it is not easy to develop the inspection technology, and the training time is lengthy, making it impossible to respond to the production line manpower needs in a timely manner.

Introducing diffraction optical technology and AI training model to improve defect recognition rate to more than 90%

The current market is flooded with a large number of automated optical inspection systems, and there are many substantial cases of lens defects. However, after years of market exploration and evaluation by Shangyang Optics, this system still cannot solve the current manual inspection problem. The main reason is that the appearance of the optical lens is curved and transparent, and it is not easy to photograph various defects, and once the defects are around There is interference from other stray lights, making judgment more difficult. Moreover, different types of lenses need to be individually rotated and lit and adjusted according to the defect status before entering the judgment stage. The labor consumption ratio is still high, which is not in line with the efficiency and cost.

Through this, through the matchmaking of the AI ​​project execution team of the Industrial Bureau of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Xiaoma Optics assisted Shangyang Optoelectronics in establishing an effective defect photography system. Pony Optics provides guidance on precision diffraction optics. Based on the characteristics of "light" fluctuations, lens defects can be obtained through a unified lens shooting method. Current photography systems on the market mostly use geometric optics. Geometric optics uses linear light and is not easy to capture defects such as missing coatings, tiny scratches, and liquid dirt. The cooperation plan introduces diffraction optical technology for shooting. Through precise imaging from all angles, it can achieve higher contrast and better noise reduction than ordinary geometric optical elements, so as to obtain the necessary defective images.

Image of scratches and defects on the optical lens.

▲Schematic diagram of optical lens scratches and defects.

In order to improve the more detailed defect detection and recognition rate in this case, Shangyang Optics used the image captured by the system as the data source, imported AI model training, and integrated the camera system and image recognition into a production line workstation, which not only improved the defect recognition rate Reaching more than 90%, it is more conducive to the subsequent development of automated production lines.

The AI ​​model training for this cooperation project is provided by Yirui Technology. Currently, most manufacturers have introduced AOI systems for production line defect inspection. Most of them use OCR (optical character recognition), which refers to the analysis and recognition processing of image files of text data. , the process of obtaining text and layout information) technology needs to be 100% accurate, and there is no room for error, resulting in accidental killings often occurring.

After adding the AI ​​training model, optical lens defects The recognition rate is greatly improved
.

▲After adding the AI ​​training model, the optical lens defect recognition rate is greatly improved.

AI+AOI solves the two major pain points of insufficient manpower and high misjudgment rate

This time, Yirui Technology and Xiaoma Optics cooperated to install Yirui's AI system in the optical inspection instruments developed by Xiaoma Optics, adding AI algorithms to the optical detection of defects, and training based on the data and needs provided by customers. AI model identification can greatly improve the accuracy of identification of defects, improve yield rate, and increase production line efficiency. Through the tripartite cooperation between Shangyang Optics, Xiaoma Optics and Yirui Technology, the optical industry AOI is introduced into AI, hoping to completely solve the pain points of industrial lens defect detection.

Since setting up the production line in 2019, Shangyang Optics hopes to introduce a smart production model. In view of the continuous growth of the company's operations and the continuous improvement of production volume, through the introduction and expansion of this achievement, the demand for manpower will be significantly reduced, and the impact of production scheduling can be reduced due to the high accuracy of the discrimination rate index, thereby improving production efficiency.

Shangyang Optics stated that as the development results are implemented, it will lead the technology to be promoted to upstream and downstream players in the optical industry, such as upstream optical lens raw material suppliers to downstream finished product applications, including immersive gaming equipment and related curved glass products , people's livelihood vehicle and security camera devices, etc.

「Translated content is generated by ChatGPT and is for reference only. Translation date:2024-05-19」

Recommend Cases

【導入案例】維繫遊艇王國美譽 嘉信遊艇導入國內第一套FRP複材超音波智慧檢測
Maintaining the reputation of the “Kingdom of Yachts” - Kha Shing Enterprise introduces the first domestic FRP ultrasonic smart inspection of composite materials

The Kaohsiung-based Kha Shing Enterprise Co, Ltd was established over 40 years ago, and is Taiwan's largest customized yacht company with customers all over America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, earning Taiwan the reputation of the "Kingdom of Yachts" Current FRP hull inspection still relies on traditional methods, such as visual inspection and knocking sounds, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive Kha Shing has applied PAUT array ultrasonic inspection to hull FRP composite materials for the first time, and combined it with AI to interpret ultrasound images, develop complete intelligent solutions, and create emerging markets for inspection companies Kha Shing Enterprise Co, Ltd was formerly Kha Shing Wood Industry Co, Ltd, and was a factory specializing in wood import in Kaohsiung Linhai Industrial Park when it was first established It began to design, manufacture, and sell yachts in 1977 After the second-generation successor of the company, President Kung Chun-Hao entered the company, he made a breakthrough in the previous manufacturing model that relied mainly on the skills of master craftsmen, introduced digital manufacturing to accelerate shipbuilding, and began to make larger yachts, ranking in the top 20 manufacturers worldwide among manufacturers of large yachts over 24 feet It also set a record of delivering 94 yachts within one year, earning Taiwan the reputation of "Kingdom of Yachts" Defect detection ensures yacht quality, using AI to replace humans to achieve higher efficiency Defect detection is very important to ensuring yacht quality At present, the yacht industry still uses very traditional defect detection methods The hull structure is usually made by hand lay-up or the vacuum infusion process, using visual inspection or knocking and the frequency of the sound to determine defects It requires time-consuming manual inspection If there are any defects, they must be reworked and repaired, and a gel coat subsequently sprayed The hull must be constructed in sections to facilitate inspection For large yachts over 24 meters long, construction in sections is very time-consuming and labor-intensive To shorten the time of the yacht manufacturing process, Kha Shing Enterprise will first carry out the gel coating process for the hull, and then perform the hand lay-on process The hull manufacturing process has two types of composite material test specimen structures In terms of 54-foot yacht hulls, the hull contains gel coat, core material, fiber and resin, and the total thickness is about 32cmplusmn01cm, which is twice the total thickness of FRP hull without core material of about 16cmplusmn01cm Defects such as incomplete impregnation of glass fiber or residual air bubbles between glass fiber and resin occasionally occur during the manufacturing process The types of defects include insufficient resin, voids, and delamination Once defects occur, the supply of hull materials will be insufficient and yacht delivery will be delayed Schematic diagram of types of FRP hull In order to solve this problem, Kha Shing Enterprise has engaged in technical cooperated with the metal materials industry and the AI technology industry, combining the ultrasonic inspection expertise of the metal materials industry with AI technologies developed by the AI technology industry in recent years to help solve issues of Kha Shing Enterprise with defect detection The method uses PAUT on the composite material structure of yachts, conducts FRP ultrasonic evaluation to determine the thickness of the yacht hull and material properties, and evaluates the ultrasonic probe frequency applicable to the hull structure based on professional ultrasonic experience After testing, a frequency of 5MHz and a probe width of 45mm can successfully find the location and size of defects in the simulated defect test specimen The three parties jointly found defect detection solutions from array ultrasonic evaluation, AI technology model development, and actual application in yachts The image inspected is an ultrasound image The image displays different colors based on the ultrasonic feedback signal An AI model that automatically identifies defective parts is established through the YOLO algorithm If the amount of abnormal data collected is insufficient for training, the CNN-based Autoencoder algorithm is used to collect normal image data for training and construct an AI model for abnormality detection The object detection YOLO model is trained by inputting image data marked as having defects, while the abnormality detection model is trained by inputting image data without defects Simulated defective specimen corresponding to PAUT results Defect detection by and AI system can shorten the construction period by 15 months and speed up determination by 50 After the development of this AI system is completed, it will be validated on actual 54-foot yachts of Kha Shing Enterprise, and can effectively resolve issues with defects The application of AI technology in ultrasonic inspection for intelligent determination is expected to accelerate determination by approximately 50, and will also shortens the construction period by 15 months, effectively improving the speed and quality of the yacht manufacturing process As Taiwan develops larger and more refined yachts, it will create opportunities for industry optimization and transformation, as well as opportunities for the development of key technologies The application of an AI ultrasonic inspection solution for composite materials is the first of its kind in the yacht industry, and is expected to attract more yacht manufacturers with inspection needs The AI ultrasonic inspection solution for composite materials has three major competitive advantages 1 Professional inspection experience and digital database to facilitate process management and analysis 2 Automatic AI determination and identification quickly identifies defects and provides immediate feedback to process engineers 3 High-efficiency process inspection provides defect repair recommendations, reduces damage rate, and improves the strength and quality of composite materials The application of AI technology can optimize the yacht manufacturing process, reduce manual inspection, create added value through the application of AI in Taiwanrsquos yacht industry, increase international purchase orders, and allow Taiwan yachts to continue to enjoy a good reputation in the world Furthermore, this business model has also spread to fields of application related to composite materials, increasing cross-sector market usage It is estimated to contribute approximately NT14 to NT2 billion in economic benefits to Taiwan's equipment maintenance and non-destructive testing market

【解決方案】優式AI智能割草機器人 搶攻高爾夫藍海市場
USRROBOT's AI Lawn Mowing Robot Enters the Blue Ocean of Golf Market

An AI smart lawn mowing robot, resembling a vacuum robot, shuttles back and forth on the 30-hectare golf course lawn for weeding This robot, independently developed and designed by Taiwanese, is equipped with the world's first electronic fencing positioning technology which utilizes high-precision GPS integrated with cloud AI computation to determine the most efficient mowing paths, targeting the lucrative blue ocean market of golf courses This AI lawn mowing robot was developed by USRROBOT, a Taiwanese startup established in 2019 Chao-Cheng Chen, the president of USRROBOT, once served as the executive vice president of one of the top five ODM tech companies in Taiwan, and specializes in software and hardware integration When he served as the chairman of the Service Robot Alliance, he knew that the service robot industry was bound grow rapidly due to declining birth rates and the growingly severe labor shortage New demand - The horticulture market is large and the has rigid demand "To develop the core technology of service robots, we must find rigid demand Looking at European and American countries, there is a shortage of labor, but demand for horticulture has increased, and there has been a long-term shortage of 7-10 of horticultural workers" Under this strong "rigid demand," Chao-Cheng Chen established USRROBOT, and the company's first product is the AI lawn mowing robot In terms of overseas markets, the United States is the world's largest horticulture market, accounting for 30-40 of the global output value It is estimated that there are about 1 million horticulture workers, but they have been experiencing a labor shortage of 7-10 in recent years and have not been able to improve the situation The main reasons for labor shortage are Aging population and gardening is a labor-intensive job, so young people don't want to do it Unlike in Taiwan, European and American countries attach great importance to lawn maintenance and have expressly stipulated in the law that heavy fines will be imposed for failing to mow the lawn Therefore, the AI lawn mowing robot has considerable market development potential The introduction of AI multi-device collaborative mowing sensor technology is expected to reduce the burden of staff maintaining the golf course The AI lawn mowing robot developed by USRROBOT is currently in its second generation Domestic universities and well-known art museums are using the latest model M1, and it is also being used by some world-renowned high-tech companies and well-known universities in the United States The company is currently involved in negotiations for subsequent business cooperation USRROBOT stated that the professional RTK system currently used can reduce the original GPS positioning error from tens of meters to about 2 centimeters, allowing the robot to move accurately outdoors After setting the boundaries, it can be easily operated using the app New application - Implementation in golf courses solves the problem of labor aging and shortage Chao-Cheng Chen further explained that the National Land Surveying and Mapping Center is a RTK service provider RTK provides the error reference map of the positioning point USRROBOT can access the positioning error value of a specific position through 4G Internet access The AI algorithm of USRROBOT reduces the general 10-20 m error of GPS to 2 cm After positioning, USRROBOT then uses six-axis accelerator positioning, gyroscopes, and wheel differential sensing devices for software and hardware integration Only by matching the wheel's movement pattern and the terrain can accurate mowing path planning be achieved The AI lawn mowing robot, which is 62 cm wide, 84 cm long, 46 cm high, and weighs only 25 kg, can set the mowing boundaries in the cloud It can avoid pools and sand pits through settings, using AI algorithms to automatically calculate the optimal path It is able to mow approximately 150 ping of grass in one hour The battery can be used continuously for more than 6 hours The battery life is currently the highest in the world In addition to general gardening companies, with the assistance of the AI project team of the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, USRROBOT's AI lawn mowing robot has been applied to golf course lawn mowing A well-known golf course located in Taiping District, Taichung City currently has a staff of 5 people who are responsible for the lawn, planting maintenance, and other landscape maintenance of the entire 30-hectare course However, the average age of staff is as high as 55 years old, and the golf course has been unable to recruit new staff members for a long time In view of the aging staff and the shortage of manpower, the golf course hopes to mitigate the impact with AI technology, and is therefore using AI multi-device collaborative mowing sensor technology, in hopes of reducing the burden of staff maintaining the golf course New challenges - Expert systems are needed to overcome difficulties with different grass species "This AI lawn mowing robot has low noise, low pollution, low labor costs, and is waterproof and anti-theft In the lawn mowing process, it can identify and avoid obstacles through ultrasonic sensors while maintaining mowing quality, maintaining aesthetic and consistent grass length" Chao-Cheng Chen went on to say that the most important part about golf courses is that the grass pattern should be beautiful and free from diseases and pests Based on the site survey, golf courses are mainly divided into three major areas green, fairway and rough There is no problem using the current mowing robot to mow the rough area, and it can overcome slopes within 20 degreesThe short grass in the fairway area may only be two centimeters long, and the grass types are also different, so the cutterhead design needs to be modifiedAs for the grass in the green area, the grass must be mowed close to the ground and maintained in a consistent direction because it affects the putting speed Many factors will affect the green index, and this part requires more research and testing The AI lawn mowing robot can identify and avoid obstacles through ultrasonic sensors while maintaining mowing quality The AI smart lawn mowing robot has a built-in camera that can be used to detect the health condition of the lawn Chao-Cheng Chen said that in the future, an expert system will also be introduced for early determination of whether there are diseases, pests in the lawn or whether there is sufficient moisture, and provide lawn health data analysis to customers, so that they can take preventive and response measures sooner to reduce disaster losses Chao-Cheng Chen, who is also a good golfer himself, said that golf has developed well in Taiwan However, due to weather factors, such as rainy and humid climate and typhoons, Taiwan's golf courses have harder soil and more potholes compared with top tier golf courses overseas If AI lawn mowing robots are to be widely introduced into golf courses, there are still many difficulties that must be overcome However, Taiwan's difficult terrain creates a good testing ground Once Taiwan can overcome the many problems and successfully introduce the robot, it will be able to expand to overseas markets and seize new market opportunities in a blue ocean Chao-Cheng Chen, President of USRROBOT nbsp

這是一張圖片。 This is a picture.
Using Plant Growth Chambers as an Example - Standardizing Electronic Device Procedures Based on Imaging

In recent years, global climate change and environmental issues have become increasingly severe, causing major impacts on agricultural production Traditional agriculture heavily relies on weather conditions, facing challenges such as unstable crop quality, plummeting yields, and difficult pest control Particularly in Taiwan, agricultural biotech companies and farmers have suffered continuous losses, creating an urgent need for innovative solutions Meanwhile, Taiwan's plant factory industry faces many challenges high equipment and labor costs, an incomplete industrial chain diminishing international competitiveness, and a lack of cooperation among enterprises, all of which limit industry development Additionally, COVID-19the pandemic has highlighted the importance of remote monitoring and management Traditional manual inspections and data collection methods no longer meet the needs of modern agricultural production These issues collectively underline the urgent need for smart agricultural solutions, driving companies like Taiwan's HaiBoTe to develop innovative projects integrating IoT, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence technologies HaiBoTe Cloud Data Integration and Analysis Platform Facing these challenges, the agricultural sector urgently needs a system that can precisely control growth environments, improve resource efficiency, enable remote monitoring, and facilitate intelligent management Existing plant factory equipment often requires complete replacement, with poor compatibility with older equipment, and sensors and camera systems may require different interfaces, making them inconvenient to use Therefore, there is a need for a flexible solution that can integrate various equipment and technologies, providing real-time monitoring and data analysis, and automatically adjusting environmental parameters based on plant growth conditions This demand exists not only in Taiwan but is also a global trend in the development of smart agriculture By incorporating artificial intelligence, more scientific evaluation standards can be established, optimizing production processes, improving yield and quality, while reducing energy consumption and environmental impact Additionally, such smart solutions can attract more young people to participate in agricultural production, promoting industry upgrading and sustainable development Overall, the demand for smart agricultural solutions stems from the urgent requirements to address climate change, enhance production efficiency, reduce costs, and achieve precise management, and this is exactly the problem companies like Taiwan's HaiBoTe are striving to solve Taiwan's plant factory operators are facing a series of severe challenges, which are gradually eroding their competitiveness and survival space Firstly, the high cost of equipment and operations is their biggest burden Each electricity bill feels like a heavy blow, forcing them to balance between ensuring product quality and controlling costs Secondly, the unpredictability brought by climate change has become their nightmare Sudden extreme weather events can destroy their carefully nurtured crops in a short time, causing massive economic losses What's worse, they find themselves increasingly at a disadvantage in international market competition In contrast, large overseas plant factories, with their advanced automation technology and well-organized supply chains, can produce stable-quality agricultural products at lower costs, putting unprecedented pressure on Taiwan's operators On the technical level, they also face numerous challenges Compatibility issues between new and old equipment often put them in a bind, encountering various technical obstacles when trying to integrate different systems Lack of precise data analysis and forecasting capabilities also makes it difficult for them to make production decisions and accurately determine the best growth conditions for each crop Existing monitoring systems provide data that is often disorganized, difficult to interpret and apply Human resource challenges are also severe, with young people generally lacking interest in agricultural work, making it difficult for them to recruit employees with modern agricultural skills Even existing employees often feel exhausted from tedious manual operations and monitoring tasks These problems are intertwined, creating a complex dilemma that leaves plant factory operators confused and anxious They urgently need a comprehensive solution that can enhance factory operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve product competitiveness, helping them overcome difficulties and regain their footing in the fierce market competition In facing the various challenges of plant factory operators, Taiwan's HaiBoTe company has demonstrated exceptional technical innovation and a flexible customer-oriented development strategy They deeply understand that the solution must be able to seamlessly integrate existing equipment while providing highly intelligent management functions To this end, HaiBoTe's RD team adopted a modular design approach to develop a system that can be flexibly configuredIoTIoT system The core of this system is a smart control hub that can communicate with various sensors and actuators During development, HaiBoTe worked closely with customers, deeply understanding their specific needs and operational environments They even dispatched engineers onsite to observe the daily operations of the plant factories, ensuring that the developed system actually solves practical problems This in-depth cooperation not only helped HaiBoTe optimize their product design but also established a close relationship with customers, laying the foundation for subsequent continuous improvements HaiBoTe's innovation is not just reflected in hardware design but also in their developed intelligent software system This system integrates advanced machine learning algorithms, capable of precise forecasts and optimal control of plant growth conditions based on large amounts of historical data and real-time monitoring information To help customers overcome technical barriers, HaiBoTe designed an intuitive and easy-to-use user interface, which even non-technical operators can master easily Additionally, they provide comprehensive training and tech support services, ensuring customers can fully utilize all functions of the system When facing challenges, HaiBoTe's technical team can quickly identify problems through remote diagnostics and provide solutions In one incident, during a serious equipment failure emergency faced by a customer, HaiBoTe's engineers guided the customer through system remote access, successfully instructing them on repairs and avoiding potential massive losses This full-range service not only solves customers' immediate difficulties but also strengthens their confidence in intelligent management, driving the entire industry toward more efficient and sustainable development HaiBoTe's developed smart agriculture solution not only brought revolutionary changes to plant factories but also painted an encouraging picture for the future of the entire agricultural industry The excellence of this system is evident in several aspects firstly, it achieves precise control of the plant growth environment, significantly improving crop yield and quality stability Through advanced artificial intelligence algorithms, the system can forecast and adjust optimum growth conditions based on historical data and real-time monitoring information, ensuring each plant grows in the ideal environment Secondly, it significantly reduces energy consumption and operational costs, improving resource efficiency The intelligent management system optimizes water, electricity, and nutrient supply, reducing waste and lowering manpower costs Additionally, the system's modular design and strong compatibility allow it to seamlessly integrate various new and old equipment, providing a flexible solution for gradual upgrades of plant factories Most importantly, the system injects a sense of technology and modernity into agricultural production, helping to attract the younger generation to the field and injecting new vitality into the industry Looking ahead, HaiBoTe's smart agriculture system has broad application prospects and expansion potential In addition to plant factories, this system can also be applied to traditional greenhouse cultivation, urban agriculture, and even home gardening In the field of aquaculture, similar technology can be used to monitor and optimize the breeding environments for fish or shrimp In the food processing industry, similar intelligent monitoring and forecasting systems can be used to optimize production processes and enhance food safety Even in the pharmaceutical industry, this type of precise environmental management system could be applied to drug research and production processes To further promote this system, HaiBoTe could adopt a multifaceted strategy Firstly, they could collaborate with agricultural colleges and research institutions to establish demonstration bases, allowing more people to experience the benefits of smart agriculture firsthand Secondly, they could develop customized solutions tailored to different scales and types of agricultural production, expanding the applicability of their products Furthermore, they could raise awareness and acceptance of smart agriculture within the industry by hosting forums, online seminars, and sharing success stories Lastly, they could explore collaborations with government departments to integrate this system into policies supporting the modernization and sustainable development of agriculture, thereby promoting the widespread adoption of smart agriculture on a larger scale Through these efforts, HaiBoTe not only can expand its market share but also make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of global agriculture, truly realizing the vision of technology empowering agriculture 「Translated content is generated by ChatGPT and is for reference only Translation date:2024-12-09」