Automated part sorting system

摘要

The present invention is directed to a part sorting system for automatically inspecting a plurality of uninspected parts. The system sorts acceptable parts from defective parts and includes a feed conveyor, a sorting camera, at least one rejection valve and a computer system that includes a processor. The feed conveyor receives a plurality of uninspected parts and distributes and moves the uninspected parts through an inspection area. The sorting camera captures an image of each of the plurality of inspected parts as the plurality of uninspected parts moves through the inspection area. The rejection value functions to direct a defective part such that the defective part is separated from inspected acceptable parts. The processor is coupled to the feed conveyor, the sorting camera, and the at least one rejection valve. The processor executing an inspection routine controls the speed of the conveyor, the scanning rate of the sorting camera and the at least one rejection valve. The processor executing the inspection routine compares at least one edge of the captured image to at least one stored template image to determine whether an inspected part is defective.