MASEAS | Zebra - Aurora Design Assistant Software Overview

Introduction

In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of the Zebra Aurora Design Assistant Software, focusing specifically on its functionalities through a practical demonstration using the Zebra Irish GTX camera system. This system features a 5 megapixel color camera and a red bar light, which will be used to inspect a cube displaying various letters and data matrices.

Setting Up the Environment

Upon launching the Zebra Aurora Design Assistant Software, you are greeted with a user-friendly interface that includes templates, tutorials, examples, and utilities that can help users familiarize themselves with available tools. To initiate a new project, you will begin by establishing a connection to your camera.

To connect remotely via laptop, navigate to the platform section and input the camera's IP address. This can vary out-of-the-box, so it is essential to ensure the IP address matches that of your device. Also, make sure the Ethernet cable is connected from the camera's Ethernet port to your laptop, thus ensuring that both devices are on the same subnet.

Once connected successfully, you can create a new project. For this demonstration, we will name our project "Cube." After clicking 'okay,' the project will load, and you will have access to the camera and the functionalities it offers.

Camera Configuration

Within the setup, you have the option to configure various parameters. By going to Project and then Configure Platform, you can adjust settings such as the image format. For this video, we switched the image capture from color to grayscale, which streamlines the process for our inspection tasks.

After adjusting the settings, re-triggering the camera allows you to see the updated grayscale image, which serves as the basis for our inspections.

Adding Tools to the Flowchart

The Zebra Aurora framework utilizes a flowchart-based design where tools can be added sequentially. To enhance the flowchart, you can simply double-click the down arrow to access various tools available for your needs. The tools are categorized into options such as model finder, pattern matching, edge locator, classification tools, and more.

In this overview, we will focus on adding a data matrix reader tool. Once added, it allows the camera to search for a specific data matrix in the displayed image. For our demonstration, we will specify the code type we seek, which in our case, is a data matrix.

Upon the reader’s operation, it successfully identifies the letter "M."

Implementing Code Grading

Next, we can implement code grading for quality assurance. After the code reading step, we can add a code grading tool, which links with the previously established code reader. With the tool set to aim DPM standards, the output will reflect the quality grading of the data matrix found—resulting in a solid grade of "A."

Reviewing outputs is straightforward, as results can be viewed under the results tab, and you can select specific parameters and outputs from each tool for clarity.

Running the Inspection

Once the tools are configured, simply hit the 'run' button, and the application will dynamically update the values as the camera inspects the cube for the designated letters. During the demonstration, both "A" and "S" were identified correctly.

Customizing the HMI

For users wanting to tailor the operator interface, the Aurora Design Assistant Software allows for customization of the HMI. This feature includes adding project titles, logos, and adjusting global results that are displayed.

By leveraging these customizations, operators can enhance their visual interface and improve operational efficiency.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Zebra Aurora Design Assistant Software is a powerful tool that simplifies the inspection process through its intuitive flowchart design and a wide array of tools. From basic connections to complex integrations, any automation engineer can benefit from navigating through this robust platform for optimized performance.

Keywords

• Zebra Aurora Design Assistant
• Zebra Irish GTX camera
• Data Matrix inspection
• Flowchart-based design
• Code grading
• Image configuration
• Custom HMI

FAQ

Q1: What is the Zebra Aurora Design Assistant Software used for?
A1: The Zebra Aurora Design Assistant Software is used for designing and managing inspection projects using Zebra camera systems to analyze and grade objects based on image data.

Q2: How do I connect the camera to my laptop?
A2: You can connect the camera to your laptop using an Ethernet cable and by entering the camera's assigned IP address in the software.

Q3: Can I customize the operator interface?
A3: Yes, the software allows for customization of the HMI, including project titles, logos, and display parameters.

Q4: What is a code grading operation?
A4: A code grading operation evaluates the quality of the read codes against specified standards, and provides a grade based on the findings.

Q5: What different tools are available in the Aurora software?
A5: The Aurora software offers a variety of tools including model finder, pattern matching, edge locator, different types of readers, and classification tools for deep learning applications.