The Asentics PRECISE is our newly developed all-in-one system für the 360° inspection of complex seals, which can be supplied stand-alone or integrated into existing production lines. But let’s get to know the PRECISE step by step.

Two words: complex seals. What does that mean? Seals with special cross section geometry and design. Shaft seals are a common example. These are not ‘simple’ O-rings, but a complex product consisting of several materials and components. To ensure that all these components (e.g. sealing lips or spiral springs) can fulfil their purpose, perfect quality is essential. However, optical quality control poses certain challenges as the sealing and functional surfaces are sometimes located in areas that are difficult to access. PRECISE was developed for this specific task. The unique inspection concept enables reliable 100% inspection of shaft seals and other complex seals.

In conventional inspection machines, test parts are transported over a solid base (e.g. a glass disc). However, such handling does not allow complete inspection due to the complex structure and details that a shaft seal has to offer. In order to fulfil the requirements, a handling concept specially adapted to these conditions is required, which goes hand in hand with high-precision image processing. Asentics has risen to this challenge and developed the centrepiece of the PRECISE: A clocked rotary indexing table with 12 inspection stations, surrounded by up to five high-resolution vision sensors. The test parts are held by specially designed workpiece holders and guarantee that every position of the sealing ring is fully recorded from different angles and even the smallest defects are reliably detected. In addition, a quick changeover enables the inspection of a wide range of products with different diameters and heights.

Without vision performance, even the best part handling is meaningless. Ultra-high resolution vision sensors from Asentics leave nothing hidden and inspect every component of the shaft seal. This means

Inspection…

The powerful evaluation unit analyses all views from all cameras and provides the inspection results in the shortest possible time. The OK parts are (optionally) removed via a conveyor belt. The Asentics Special Defect Sorting (SDS) controls the ejection of the NOK parts into four ejection chutes. These can be configured in a variety of ways with regard to defect characteristics and defect classes.

Keyword user interface: As the central interface between the operator and the machine, a completely new, user-friendly interface has been developed for the PRECISE, with the aim of making technological complexity disappear for the operator.

In concrete terms, this means:

Errors can also occur in image processing systems, for example if the lens of the vision sensor is covered with dust or other contaminants. This can cause faulty rings to be mistakenly and unknowingly classified as good, or vice versa.

For this reason, ASENTICS has integrated a test process that can be started manually or automatically via the user interface for a pre-defined test part, the so-called ‘master part’ or ‘golden sample’. This test part has properties (e.g. defects) that are known in advance. The master cycle process can now be used to check whether the results of the selected test sequence and its parameters match the properties of the master part. In simple terms, it is possible to check whether the vision system detects certain characteristics of the master part (e.g. defects), the presence of which is known in advance. True to the motto “Check the checker”, this is a simple and regular way of ensuring that the machine is working perfectly.