The Power of Automated Vision Systems and the People Behind Them
Vision systems have become essential components in automated machinery, playing a critical role in tasks such as barcode detection, part presence and position verification, quality assurance, and operator safety. They enable manufacturers to proactively identify faults, monitor production performance, and maintain confidence in system reliability. With the integration of advanced AI technology, uncertainty is eliminated—replaced by data-driven insights and precise control. This level of accuracy and intelligence is exactly what we rely on to support the performance and efficiency of our custom-built machines.
From engineers who understand machine learning algorithms to technicians who can quickly respond to image anomalies or alignment errors, every member of the team plays a vital role in maintaining uptime and delivering consistent quality. The deep understanding and experience our team has of both hardware and software are what elevate our automation solutions into truly optimized and intelligent systems.
In short, it’s not just about having the technology—it’s about having the right people in place to maximize its impact. When vision systems and expert teams work hand in hand, the result is a smarter, safer, and more reliable automated solution tailored to meet the complex needs of modern manufacturing.
Our Strategic Vendor Selection Process
At SDC, every component and technology integrated into our automated machines is chosen with precision and purpose. We understand that the performance of your automation system depends heavily on the quality and reliability of its individual parts. That’s why we follow a rigorous vendor evaluation process to ensure only the best-in-class partners make the cut.
How SDC Chooses Its Technology Partners:
- 🔍 Performance Evaluation: We conduct in-depth testing of components under real-world manufacturing conditions to verify speed, accuracy, and consistency.
- 📈 Scalability & Future-Proofing: Vendors must demonstrate that their products are not only reliable today but adaptable to tomorrow’s evolving production needs.
- 🛠️ Ease of Integration: We prioritize technologies that align with our design philosophy—modular, efficient, and easy to integrate with custom SDC systems.
- 👨🔧 Support & Collaboration: Strong technical support and close collaboration are non-negotiables. We partner with vendors who offer hands-on service and long-term reliability.
One standout in this process is KEYENCE, whose AI vision systems consistently meet and exceed our criteria. Their blend of high-performance technology, intuitive programming, and excellent support makes them an ideal fit for the high standards we set in every SDC build.
By carefully vetting each vendor we work with, SDC ensures that our customers receive not just a machine—but a solution engineered for reliability, precision, and long-term success.
Automated Machines and AI Technology
KEYENCE is a global leader in factory automation hardware, and their expansive catalog of high-performance products can be found throughout many of our custom-built machines. At SDC, we regularly integrate their cutting-edge sensors, safety devices, and vision inspection systems to handle critical tasks like barcode reading, precision measurement, defect detection, and part verification. These technologies aren’t just reliable—they’re instrumental in delivering the accuracy, consistency, and speed that modern manufacturing demands.
This partnership provides our team with ongoing education and hands-on guidance, allowing us to stay ahead of the curve as new technologies emerge. Even the most advanced vision system is only as effective as the team behind it. With KEYENCE’s expert training and support, our engineers and technicians are equipped to leverage the full power of vision systems and smart sensors—delivering intelligent, responsive automation that meets the highest standards of quality and reliability.
Having a highly qualified and trained workforce is essential—not just to integrate and program these cameras, but to fine-tune them, interpret data, and make real-time adjustments when production demands shift. Vision systems may provide the eyes, but it’s the experts behind them who truly bring insight and intelligence to the process. That’s why we work with KEYENCE to bring our customers the most efficient and robust solution to solve their manufacturing challenges.
Most recently, KEYENCE released a smart camera with AI – the VS series. SDC has been utilizing the AI tools as follows:
- Image Reproduction– With one click on the VS camera, programmers can reproduce the master image from their program setup. This is useful in situations like fixing bumped cameras, replicating set-ups, and installation on customer sites. The AI automatically adjusts the field of view, focus, and exposure time to match the program’s image.
- AI Detection– AI defect detection is now possible without using a GPU or training thousands of images. By training a handful of good sample images in a few minutes we can detect undefined defects and anything that differs from what the product should look like.
- AI Classification– Differentiate between up to 32 different product types or a good part versus different classifications of defects. You can train with a couple of images for each classification with the option to easily add more to each data set as time goes on.
“AI can enable simpler detection of defects using one AI vision tool that is configured by teaching multiple good parts. This can be useful if there are a large number of different flaws that would need to be detected. Those flaws could present in many different ways and the AI can determine the part is not similar enough to a known good part using the “anomaly score” that it calculates. To do this with conventional vision systems it would require multiple tools and then it is likely that various flaws would still not be detected.” – Monica Saggio, SDC Sr. Electrical Engineer
Ease of Programming
When it comes to our experience with programming this equipment, the AI vision system has been surprisingly easy to train. All we have to do is present a handful of “good” parts to establish a baseline of acceptable part quality. The AI software stores these images, converts them into data, compares each part presented to the camera and references the “good” part characteristics to determine if they pass or fail the inspection. The camera can pick out minute differences and learn from them as the machine operates.
Key benefits include:
- Fast setup: Train the system using just a few “good” parts to create a reference model.
- Intelligent analysis: AI software converts images into data and compares each new part against the trained baseline.
- High accuracy: The vision system detects minute variations to ensure only quality parts pass inspection.
- All-in-one efficiency: Replaces the need for multiple tools, reducing time spent on:
- Controls programming
- Equipment installation
- Operator training
In the past, multiple tools were used to achieve the same result as this all-in-one system. Controls programming, equipment installation, operator training, and more now take less time to complete. In return, efficiency gains a big boost and so does product quality.
Comprehensive Support
What truly sets KEYENCE apart, however, is not just their advanced technology but the level of support they provide. Their sales and support engineers are more than just product experts—they’re trusted collaborators who are frequently on-site, working side-by-side with our team to fine-tune system performance and troubleshoot in real time.
Whether it’s training our staff on new equipment capabilities, helping with calibration and integration, or offering strategic insights for improving inspection efficiency, KEYENCE plays a vital role in ensuring our automation solutions operate at peak performance. With sales and support teams across the country, there is always a representative available to help answer questions, and their team provides top-level support to our customers when our machine arrives at their facility.
Here’s what their team brings to the table:
- ✅ On-site collaboration: Engineers frequently work alongside our staff to fine-tune performance and resolve issues in real time.
- ✅ Comprehensive training: Ensures staff can confidently operate and maintain the equipment.
- ✅ System optimization: Help with calibration, integration, and efficiency improvement.
- ✅ Responsive service: Nationwide network of support reps ensures fast, expert assistance whenever it’s needed.
Why Choose SDC for Advanced Automation Solutions?
At SDC, we don’t just integrate the latest technologies—we engineer complete automation solutions that deliver real-world performance and long-term value. By partnering with industry leaders like KEYENCE, we ensure our machines are equipped with state-of-the-art AI vision systems. But the real difference lies in how SDC customizes and implements this technology to solve each customer’s unique challenges.
Here’s what sets SDC apart:
- ✅ Custom-Built Automation: Every SDC machine is tailored to meet specific production goals—no one-size-fits-all solutions.
- ✅ Expert Engineering Team: Decades of experience designing automation systems that maximize throughput, consistency, and ROI.
- ✅ End-to-End Project Management: From concept and design to installation, training, and support, we handle it all.
- ✅ Future-Ready Innovation: We continually evaluate and integrate emerging technologies like AI vision, robotics, and IIoT to keep you ahead of the curve.
Whether you’re upgrading existing equipment or launching a new production line, SDC’s automation expertise ensures your investment is built for performance and scalability.
Our Process
Solving our customer’s toughest automation needs — we make machines that help optimize manufacturing processes. This includes, but is not limited to, increasing efficiency, quality, safety, and production.
DESIGN & ENGINEER
Our mechanical and electrical controls engineering teams work with our clients to make sure each project is designed to meet every specification and requirement
BUILD
Our machine builders and electricians assemble each system in-house, working with our engineering teams to provide a robust machine.
TEST & RUN-OFF
Each SDC system undergoes rigorous machine testing, otherwise known as run-off, to pass client acceptance criteria before they leave our facility.
SUPPORT
We value long-term partnerships and stand behind our custom automated systems. For as long as the machine is in production, we’ll provide support.
FAQ’s
Why are vision systems so important in automated manufacturing?
Vision systems play a vital role in ensuring the precision and reliability of automated machines. They enable tasks like barcode reading, part positioning, defect detection, and quality tracking—helping manufacturers eliminate guesswork, identify faults quickly, and maintain consistent product quality. With AI-enhanced systems, these capabilities become even more powerful and efficient.
How does SDC use AI-powered vision systems like the KEYENCE VS Series?
At SDC, we integrate the KEYENCE VS Series to simplify and enhance defect detection, part classification, and image reproduction. These smart cameras use AI to detect subtle anomalies, identify multiple defect types, and classify products with minimal image training—allowing for faster setup, easier troubleshooting, and greater reliability on the production floor.
What makes KEYENCE a valuable supplier for SDC?
KEYENCE brings more than just world-class technology—they offer outstanding training and support. Their representatives are frequently on-site, working directly with our engineers to help program, calibrate, and optimize systems. Their nationwide support network also ensures fast response times and expert guidance, both during machine build and post-installation at customer facilities.
How does AI vision technology impact programming and setup time?
With the latest AI tools, our programming time is drastically reduced. Instead of setting up multiple vision tools for each defect type, we can now train a system using a handful of good parts. The AI software handles the rest—detecting deviations, adapting to new conditions, and improving with use. This streamlines programming, boosts inspection accuracy, and minimizes downtime. What truly sets KEYENCE apart, however, is not just their advanced technology but the level of support they provide. Their sales and support engineers are more than just product experts—they’re trusted collaborators who are frequently on-site, working side-by-side with our team to fine-tune system performance and troubleshoot in real time. Whether it’s training our staff on new equipment capabilities, helping with calibration and integration, or offering strategic insights for improving inspection efficiency, KEYENCE plays a vital role in ensuring our automation solutions operate at peak performance.
What kind of industries or applications benefit most from these automated vision systems?
Virtually any industry requiring precision assembly, testing, or inspection can benefit—from automotive and medical devices to consumer goods and electronics. Our machines are custom-built to meet specific customer needs, and the flexibility of AI vision systems means we can create smarter, more adaptable solutions for even the most complex manufacturing challenges.
