Cognex surface-inspection systems chosen by stainless-steel producer

AUGUST 11--Cognex Corp. (Natick, MA; www.cognex.com), a supplier of machine-vision systems, reports that AvestaPolarit, a leading global producer of stainless steel and a business unit of Finland-based Outokumpu Steel, has purchased two Cognex SmartView metals surface-inspection systems for installation at its Meadowhall facility in Sheffield, England. These systems will be used to inspect both carbon and stainless precision strip steel used primarily in the automotive industry. They will be used to inspect steel for scratches, slivers, and roll cracks on two rewind lines immediately following the cold rolling process.

"Cognex has previously supplied systems to AvestaPolarit at other sites in the UK and Sweden, and, therefore, the customer was already aware that technology is rugged and reliable," says Markku Jaaskelainen, senior vice president and general manager of the Cognex' Surface Inspection Systems Division.

The SmartView surface inspection system can automatically detect, identify, and display defects in metal and other materials as they are being produced in real time.