A recycling centre needing a high-performance, industrial-grade AI sorting solution has implemented edge IPCs from Advantech.
Recyclable materials are brought to the centre, sorted by machines, poured into bins, and then moved to final destinations for processing. The automated solution from Advantech helps identify and filter materials such as glass, plastic and cans on the recycling line, speeding up the recycling process.
The background
The customer needed to replace a less-effective commercial hardware solution and implement AI to accelerate object identification and classification, and improve centre performance.
In the search for a solution, the customer was already connected with an Advantech Channel Partner. This opened the door to the implemention of Advantech’s MIC-770 and MIC-75G20 – the best option to meet the customer’s high-processing edge computing requirements.
The customer needed a high-performance processor system that was able to accommodate one GPU card, and two 4-port Power over Ethernet (PoE) cards to connect eight cameras. The hardware for the system also had to be able to successfully function in the harsh industrial environment of the recycling plant.
The solution
Advantech’s MIC-770 and MIC-75G20 incorporate Intel 9th Gen CPUs and NVIDIA high-performance GPU cards, with multiple I/O interfaces, and flexible expandability with the integration of i-Modules.
Together they provide one of the most compact IPCs on the market, and perfectly meet edge video AI requirements. MIC-75G20 is a GPU expansion module and accommodates one high-performance GPU card and one 4-port PoE frame grabber card, connected with four PoE cameras. By adding an additional 4-port PoE FIO in MIC-770, the eight cameras are able to capture a lot of video data.
Huge amounts of images are able to be captured and processed by the GPU card and analysed by the AI model to identify and classify objects. Instructions are then delivered to the main controller via the MIC-770. These instructions tell the robotic arms to pick-and-place specified items in a designated area. All actions are carried out precisely at eye-blinking speed, with the system able to handle more than 80 items a minute.
A positive outcome
Advantech already had the required hardware in its inventory and was able to work with the Channel Partner to quickly prepare a complete solution bundle. This meant a faster turnaround time for the customer to get up and running. Advantech also prepared additional replacement parts for quicker repairs.
By utilising Advantech’s automated AI solution to identify certain materials on the recycling line, the customer improved the recycling process with more efficiency and accuracy. Additionally, with industrial-rated products, the customer doesn’t need to worry about the solution functioning properly in a harsh industrial environment.
ESIS is the leading supplier of outstanding industrial electronic equipment in the Australian market since 1971. Check out our exclusive range of Fanless PCs, Industrial PCs (IPC solutions), Rugged Tablets, HMIs, Panel PCs and other electronic components. Our products are certified and made with high-quality custom materials for accurate results. Contact us for a detailed product catalogue or to share your queries.
Article courtesy of Advantech.
