In April this year, the launch of APQ's AK Series magazine-style intelligent controllers attracted significant attention and recognition within the industry. The AK Series utilizes a 1+1+1 model, consisting of a host machine paired with a primary magazine, auxiliary magazine, and soft magazine, covering Intel’s three major platforms and Nvidia Jetson. This configuration meets the CPU processing power demands across various application scenarios, offering flexibility for vision, motion control, robotics, and digitalization applications.

Among them, the AK7 stands out in the machine vision field due to its excellent cost-performance ratio. The AK7 supports 6th to 9th generation desktop processors, providing robust data processing capabilities. Its unique modular design allows users to flexibly expand according to actual needs, including the use of PCIe X4 expansion slots to add control cards or camera capture cards. The auxiliary magazine also supports 4 channels of 24V 1A lighting and 16 GPIO channels, making the AK7 the best cost-effective choice for 2-6 camera vision projects.

Defect detection through machine vision is the mainstream method of quality inspection in the 3C industry. Most 3C products rely on machine vision technology to complete tasks such as positioning, identification, guidance, measurement, and inspection. Additionally, projects like resistance welding defect detection, PCB inspection, precision stamping part defect detection, and switch metal sheet appearance defect detection are also common, all aimed at improving the pass rate of 3C products at the time of delivery.

APQ utilizes the AK7 as the core visual control unit, offering efficient and precise solutions for the appearance defect detection of 3C products, leveraging its high performance, flexible expandability, and stability.

01 System Architecture

Core Control Unit: The AK7 visual controller acts as the core of the system, responsible for data processing, algorithm execution, and device control.
Image Acquisition Module: Connects multiple cameras through USB or Intel Gigabit ports to capture surface images of 3C products.
Lighting Control Module: Utilizes the 4 channels of 24V 1A lighting supported by the auxiliary magazine to provide a stable and uniform lighting environment for image acquisition.
Signal Processing and Transmission Module: Achieves rapid signal processing and transmission through PCIe X4 expansion control cards.
02 Visual Detection Algorithms

Image Preprocessing: Preprocessing the captured images through denoising and enhancement to improve image quality.
Feature Extraction: Using image processing algorithms to extract key feature information from the images, such as edges, textures, colors, etc.
Defect Recognition and Classification: Analyzing the extracted features through machine learning or deep learning algorithms to identify and classify surface defects in the products.
Result Feedback and Optimization: Feeding the detection results back to the production system and continuously optimizing the algorithms based on the feedback.
03 Flexible Expansion and Customization

Multi-Camera Support: The AK7 visual controller supports the connection of 2-6 cameras, meeting the needs of USB/GIGE/Camera LINK cameras.
Lighting and GPIO Expansion: Flexible expansion of lighting and GPIO through the auxiliary magazine to adapt to different product inspection needs.
Customization Services: APQ provides customization services, with customer-supplied magazines designed for rapid OEM customization, as shown below.
04 Efficient and Stable Operation

High-Performance Processors: Supports 6th to 9th generation desktop processors, ensuring efficient data processing capabilities.
Industrial-Grade Design: Adopts industrial-grade components and PWM cooling systems to ensure stable operation in harsh environments, from -20 to 60 degrees Celsius.
Real-Time Monitoring System: Integrates the IPC SmartMate real-time monitoring system to monitor and alert the operating status of the equipment in real-time.
In addition to this comprehensive application solution, APQ also meets the personalized needs of different customers through modular design and customization services, helping enterprises achieve their goals of smart manufacturing and quality control. This aligns with APQ's mission and vision—empowering smarter industrial operations.