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almost none of the fi sh dishes were rejected through lack of cod content.
Edge
Learning Another more recent technology is Edge Learning, which is a bit like a ‘Lite’
version of Deep
various dishes. The fi rst line was a Three Fish Pie. The manufacturer was rightly concerned about the production and distribution of products with one or more ingredients missing or present in insuffi cient quantity.
As expected, salmon, the fi rst ingredient to be added, was easy to detect and quantify against a white background. The salmon was then covered with the white sauce containing haddock, followed by cod. This is when problems started. Initially we thought we could achieve this with a standard vision camera, but we failed as it couldn’t reliably diff erentiate between the creamy white sauce and the creamy white cod, especially with colour variations in each. We then tried a more sophisticated camera with Deep Learning software. This looked far more promising and, as one might expect from the description, it got better the more we used it. We soon reached a point where
Learning. The training and computation is done on the device itself, which can be a smart camera or even a vision sensor. Edge Learning is optimised to rely on just a few images, often as few as three to ten images of the diff erent samples is suffi cient. Training an Edge Learning classifi cation tool is very much like teaching a young child the diff erence between vehicles. As a parent, we might tell a child: “that is a car” or “that is a bus”. We don’t explain that a car has four wheels and is designed for the conveyance of two to seven passengers; we simply show them some examples and they soon understand the similarities that group the diff erent vehicles. Consequently, Edge Learning solutions are quicker to deploy, but used for projects where less complex information has to be analysed. Edge Learning is also proving useful in complimenting some rule-based solutions, such as fi ll height for liquids and cap presence, etc.
Both solutions have their merits and are powerful tools, when used appropriately to help
manufacturers optimise production, whilst
minimising product rejections
and customer complaints. Overuse of the term AI makes them sound like a page from a sci-fi novel, but they are really
automationmagazine.co.uk
just the next logical step in manufacturing technology, which can be quickly and easily implemented, and showing a rapid return on investments.
Application of Deep Learning and Edge Learning
These tools have allowed us to revisit applications that we couldn’t previously solve, with payback times that make sense to manufacturers.
The close association between
Harford Control and Visicon that our deeper partnership brings, also helps manufacturers to bring factory fl oor integration and a ‘one stop shop’ much closer. Of course, our closer partnership still enables clients to purchase parts of an integrated solution and gradually build towards their ultimate big picture. Both companies will continue to trade independently, as before, but where integration is desirable or even where a vision-only system is required, after sales support will be even better than before. Harford Control’s other modules include: Average Quantity Optimisation, Paperless Quality, Automated Label Verifi cation, OEE, Short Interval Control, Energy Management and LIMS (Laboratory Management Information Systems).
Whether a machine vision application or one of our other specialities, at Harford Control and Visicon, we work with you to ensure maximum engagement with the new technology and the fastest possible payback.
Harford Control not at Smart Factory Expo? You might be wondering why, with all this development going on, Harford Control is not exhibiting at the Smart Factory Expo, part of Manufacturing and Engineering week. After careful consideration we decided, with stand space prices considerably higher than PPMA for just a two-day event, that we would rather invest the money into even more smart technology together with our new partners. Looking forward to seeing you at PPMA in September, or before, if you give us a call.
CONTACT:
Harford Control
www.harfordcontrol.com; 01225 764461
Automation | May 2023
33
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