Use case

Quality Assurance without Labels and Markings

Customer
Alitheon, Inc.
Location
Bellevue, Washington, USA
Date
2020

Alitheon non-contact imaging software enables identification and tracking for virtually any item, without labels, markings or packaging.

FeaturePrint precisely identifies nuts based on tiny features
Every nut is unique: FeaturePrint precisely identifies them based on tiny features
Basler ace in use for unique identification
Basler ace in use for unique identification

Clearly identify and track items

For quality assurance, it is crucial to be able to uniquely identify and trace each component of a product. Usually, barcodes, labels or etchings are used for this purpose. However, mass-produced items such as fasteners, circuit boards, castings or textiles usually do not allow for such markings.

Alitheon was founded to solve this problem with a universal approach to traceability, providing item-level security without changing product designs or manufacturing processes. 

Contactless optical identification of a circuit board based on unique features
Contactless optical identification of a circuit board based on unique features

Traceability via the cloud - from anywhere

Using just one camera on the factory floor or in the field, such as at machine cells or operator stations, Alitheon technology precisely verifies the identity of virtually any item based on tiny feature variations using software algorithms. Through non-contact machine vision, Alitheon software analyzes the surface of each unique item and generates a digital code that distinguishes it from millions of seemingly identical items. 

This locally generated FeaturePrint ID is available via cloud systems. It provides an authoritative, virtual serial number that can be stored, tracked and verified over and over again throughout the life of an item - in factories, distribution channels or with end users via a mobile app. 

Basler ace

Image data in step with production 

Alitheon uses Basler's ace L and Classic cameras in its FeaturePrint™ Automate and FeaturePrint™ Station components in a retrofittable machine housing or in a tabletop unit. Such devices can be used in automotive manufacturing or in the correct assembly of circuit boards, among other applications. The Basler cameras deliver image data to FeaturePrint processing at every single production step - at a frame rate that keeps pace with the production lines. This ensures continuous quality control. 

The pylon Software Suite assists Alitheon in testing and validating its systems off-site, reducing travel delays and costs. 

Advantages in the manufacturing environment 

  • High-quality, readily available hardware and software 

  • Safe monitoring and control of the production flow along the individual production steps 

  • Generation of important data for the company 

  • Retrofittability into existing production lines with industrial cameras for continuous operation 

  • Equipping of old factories with a new digital control system for tracking goods 

  • Technical flexibility such as SDK support for Linux 

Products for this solution

Looking to implement a comparable solution? These products will help you.

Ready to get started together?

Learn more about our products, services, and how we can help you with your next project.