In context
In May 2025, as manufacturers increasingly sought to automate quality control for sensitive components, Kistler—known for measurement and automation technology—expanded its portfolio with a fully automated vision inspection system. This move addressed the growing need for precise, gentle handling of delicate parts in industries like automotive and electronics.
What was reported
Kistler introduced “Automated Vision Inspection,” a turnkey system that integrates a camera-guided pick-and-place robot with optical inspection. The robot can accurately pick parts from blisters or bulk material, then a camera system inspects them. Good parts are returned to blisters, while bad ones are automatically sorted out and, if requested, destroyed.
The system was developed for sensitive components where precise detection is critical. For example, one application checks delicate plastic connectors: employees load blisters onto a trolley, and the system feeds them to the robot, which places parts into an inspection matrix. Three optical inspections check seven parameters with an accuracy of 0.005 mm. Cycle time can be as low as two seconds, depending on part complexity.
Kistler’s systems build on its existing optical testing solutions (e.g., KVC 121, 621, 821) and can operate standalone or inline. Additional modules, such as laser marking, are available. Klaus Hoffmann, business driver at Kistler, noted that integrating robot-based part separation in-house enables support for customers with very delicate parts and strict requirements.
Why it mattered
This development highlighted a trend toward fully automated, flexible inspection systems that combine robotics and vision to handle fragile components—reducing manual handling errors and improving throughput. For industrial automation, it demonstrated how modular, turnkey solutions could be tailored to challenging quality-control tasks, potentially accelerating adoption in sectors requiring high precision.
“With our new developments, we are making Kistler’s optical inspection technology usable for very sensitive parts.”
Source: Robotics & Automation News (roboticsandautomationnews.com) · Published 2025-05-09 · “Kistler showcases new vision inspection system with pick and place robot”