AI-based visual inspection system “HACARUS Check” has been introduced and commenced operation at die-casting manufacturer Asahi Kosei Co., Ltd.
Quality inspection is an essential process in the manufacturing industry. However, in recent years, securing visual inspectors has become difficult, and the aging population has also posed challenges in regards to transferring knowledge and skills to the next generation. To reduce reliance on visual inspection, HACARUS’ launched the AI visual inspection system, HACARUS Check, in March 2022. Over the past six months we have tailored the AI system in collaboration with Asahi Kosei Corporation, and have successfully implemented it with three units. We are pleased to announce that the case study video, produced with their cooperation, will be available for public viewing starting today.
About the video
We have released an interview clip on Youtube featuring Mr. Kazuhiro Ogura, the person in charge of implementing HACARUS Check. Mr. Ogura is the Chief of the Inspection and Appearance Processing Quality Department in the Manufacturing Division.
Background of HACARUS Check Implementation
Asahi Kosei Corporation has been working on automating the inspection process to address the challenges of inspector shortages and quality issues. However, there have been ongoing challenges with AI-based inspection systems, such as unclear reasoning behind AI judgments, and achieving inspection quality comparable to visual inspection by humans. Due to these challenges, Asahi Kosei Corporation decided to approach and consult with HARCARUS due to our expertise in surface inspection for die casting.
Results of Implementation
The results were that only 2 inspectors were required for operation instead of the previous requirement of 6 inspectors. Furthermore, the system has eliminated human errors and standardized the quality inspection process. As a result it is considered that the system will be implemented in other projects as well.
Post-Introduction Outlook
In the future, it is considered that HACARUS Check will be integrated with robots for transportation and handling, aiming for complete automation of the inspection process. By achieving smart factory automation, the new goal of striving to create factories without human presence can be achieved in the future.
Asahi Kosei Co., Ltd. – About the Company
Business Description: Precision Die Casting Manufacturing / Precision Molds / Precision Machining / Assembly
Established: April 1946
Headquarters Location: 2-17-35 Kashiwada Nishi, Higashi Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan
Representative: Tsuyohito Nishitsuchi
Capital: 1.6 billion yen (for the entire group)
URL: http://www.asahikosei.jp/
All-in-One Package for Quality & Visual Inspection: “HACARUS Check”
This is an AI visual inspection system that combines collaborative robots, cameras with built-in lighting, and high-performance AI inspection software. It is capable of capturing and inspecting complex three-dimensional objects with intricate shapes, such as die-cast and pressed products, from all directions for a 360-degree inspection, detecting defects down to 0.1 millimeters. Using our unique algorithms, AI models can be created with only small amounts of data from good products, eliminating the need for defective product data.
https://check.hacarus.com/en/lp/
About HACARUS
HACARUS INC. provides big insights from small data and has since its founding in 2014, supplied solutions in 100+ AI projects across the Medical and Manufacturing fields. Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, and backed by Daikin, Osaka Gas & Miyako Capital (Kyoto University), among others, its technology enables humans to make better, faster, and more reliable decisions based on data-driven insights. HACARUS’ proprietary AI engine is built using Sparse Modeling, a method that understands data like a human would – by its unique key features and is far more resource, time, and energy-efficient when compared to Deep Learning. To learn more, visit https://hacarus.com
