A Visual Inspection Mechanism for Observing Complex Industrial Products from Multiple Viewpoints
What IVI-360 is
IVI-360 is a patented visual inspection mechanism that combines a commercially available six-axis industrial robot with an open-center rotary stage.
The workpiece is supported around the opening. For suitable products, the camera can reach accessible surfaces from above and below while the workpiece rotates horizontally. This can create multiple viewpoints without repeatedly lifting and flipping a heavy product.
One reference machine has been built. It operates with fixed motion programs and a task-specific image classifier. VLA, VLM and robot foundation models are not installed functions of the current reference machine.
The patented invention is titled “Appearance Inspection Apparatus.” Japanese Patent No. 7750589 is owned by The 7th Engineering Co., Ltd. IVI-360 is registered as Japanese Trademark No. 6941983.
Complex industrial products
IVI-360 is intended for products whose observable inspection points are distributed across multiple faces, heights and orientations. Its usefulness depends on product geometry, the jig, lighting, the camera and robot reach.
One reference machine
The reference machine shows that the patented mechanism has been built and operated. Its configuration and performance are an implementation example, not general guarantees of the mechanism.
Research and evaluation in Japan
The 7th Engineering Co., Ltd. plans to establish a no-charge patent-license program for research and evaluation conducted in Japan, subject to prior registration. This page is not a license grant; details will be provided in formal guidance.
The inventor was able to devise the mechanism, obtain the patent and have one reference machine built. We do not yet know how useful this mechanism may be for research or manufacturing. We would be pleased if it proves useful in some small way.