Automated quality control – Testing more efficiently and cost-effectively from £8,674

What is automated quality control? Definition and importance in modern manufacturing

With an automated quality control repetitive inspection processes can be carried out efficiently and precisely using robots. The application scenarios are as varied and individual as the work processes to be automated. Modern production facilities are characterised by both inline and end-of-line automated quality control.

Advantages of automated quality assurance

Inspection processes can be efficiently streamlined through the use of machines and also offer many advantages:

  • Identical test sequences: To obtain comparable results, test sequences must always be carried out according to an exactly identical scheme. Robots ensure identical procedures and precise, consistent measurement of the inspection characteristic.

  • Increase productivity: Robots can be used around the clock without compromising quality. Unlike humans, they show no signs of fatigue.

  • Reduce costs: With low-cost plastic robots, automation projects have proven that they pay for themselves in as little as 3-6 months.

  • Ensuring reliability: There is no need for absences due to illness or capacity. This improves the plannability of tasks and resources in quality control.

  • Avoiding perceptual errors: Human behaviour, or human perception, is constantly changing. This lack of consistency leads to varying results in quality inspection, which affect the final product. The use of robots prevents this problem.

Which applications can be automated in quality assurance?

Whether surface inspection, dimensional inspection or functional inspection - inspection processes and inspection characteristics differ greatly in practice. The following scenarios illustrate how flexibly modern robots can be used for quality assurance tasks:


Scenario 1: Loading and unloading a test station

This robot solution made by Four Stars Engineering takes over the automated loading and unloading of a test station for printed circuit boards of different sizes. A defective board is automatically sorted out.

Add to cart: robolink DP + energy chain + controller + vacuum gripper

£11,059.41


Scenario 2: Automatic optical quality control/visual inspection

The watches from Certina are checked for their minimum run time. A camera controls the individual clocks to visually check whether the minute and second hands are moving.

Add to cart: surface gantry + control system + camera

£8,674.55


Scenario 3: Automated random inspection

Benning performs with this robot a contact test on a measuring device and automatically passes the data to a quality management system.

Add to cart: robolink DP + energy chain + controller + vision sensor

£11,281.17


Which robot types are suitable for performing automated quality control?

The selection of a suitable robot depends on the respective application.

Cost-effective – Pick-and-place applications to move parts physically

Fast – Gripping of parts precisely and quickly, e. g. from conveyor belt

Flexibel – Loading of machines or measuring and testing stations

Fit for the future with automated quality controls

The possible applications for automated quality controls are very diverse. Thanks to low-cost robots, various application scenarios can be realized flexibly and individually. The RBTXpert service supports those willing to automate in their plans to find a feasible and cost-effective solution.