Weeks 4 and 5 at Microtech

As I had described in my last post about my internship, I was able to get right into my research project and apply my knowledge and understanding of statistics to industrial processes. Since then, I have expanded the scope of my work at Microtech even more. As I had described in an earlier post, one of the key technologies that we use is the Vision system, the system that uses cameras and a high speed computer to take measurements of parts passing through on a belt in order to determine if they fit the specifications, and shoots them off the track if they aren't. However, since the computer needs to maintain its speed and efficiency, it doesn't collect any of the data by itself. If desired, its possible to pull some data from the machine using a flash drive, but that isn't useful because its is an extremely inefficient process. If the data form the vision system could be collected, then the job of quality control becomes much easier because they aren't wasting time measuring parts that can be measured by a machine at a much faster rate and with a lower margin or variability. Data collection from the vision system would ultimately allow for a more automated production facility, helping to lower costs and increase both output and quality. There was a solution to this issue. Getting a dedicated server solves the issue of the extreme inefficiency, and we will be able to access all the data at any time. Since I have a pretty strong background in computers, I got into that project at Microtech, and since then have been working closely with many people across management to get this initiative running. First, we needed to purchase a server, so we spent a day shopping for servers with all the given specifications and requirements that the vision company requested. Then we had to set it up and get it online. This process took a few days, and I was surprised by the complexity of coordinating with a client company on the other side of the world. Finally we were able to get the server running the Vision server software, but we are still working to connect the individual vision systems that are on the manufacturing floor to the server network. That is the task I am currently coordinating, and will hopefully be able to move forward with next week.