To further improve product traceability, quality control, and operator safety, Industeel partnered with Polytec to develop a fully automated plate measurement and marking station for heavy steel plates. The solution integrates multiple inspection and marking technologies into a single automated cell capable of performing plate shaping analysis, thickness measurement, temperature verification, ink marking, and permanent stamp marking without manual intervention.
Before the marking process begins, an infrared temperature station verifies that the plate temperature is below the required threshold, ensuring safe and reliable operation. The system then automatically measures plate thickness using high-precision laser sensors, checks flatness and geometry through a dedicated vision system, and identifies the exact position of any detected defects. Once all dimensional and quality checks have been completed, the plate is automatically identified through both ink marking, used for production and shear references, and robotic stamp marking, providing permanent product identification. An integrated OCR reader immediately verifies the readability of the stamped information, ensuring complete traceability throughout the production process.
All production and quality data are automatically exchanged with the Manufacturing Execution System (MES), allowing every plate to be digitally tracked, validated, and archived. By combining robotics, machine vision, laser measurement, and digital connectivity into a single workstation, Polytec delivered a solution that significantly improves productivity, eliminates manual operations in hazardous areas, and guarantees consistent product quality.
System description
