AI-based optical quality assurance
The Green-AI Hub Mittelstand, an AI initiative of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), has developed an AI-powered inspection station for optical quality assurance in cooperation with KÖSTLER GmbH. The AI pilot project was implemented in partnership with experts from DFKI.
KÖSTLER, a leading manufacturer of textile airbag hinges, combines traditional manual work – such as the precise sewing of textile nets – with modern manufacturing techniques in its production. The innovative inspection station uses image processing and machine learning to automatically sort the textile nets according to quality and detect defective parts at an early stage. In addition, the measured data can be used to identify error trends and quickly stop faulty processes. This not only improves production quality, but also helps to reduce material waste.
Compared to manual inspection, where defective parts can be overlooked due to workload, automated quality assurance increases resource efficiency and reduces operating costs. At the same time, it frees skilled workers from monotonous tasks and allows them to focus on more challenging activities.
The Green-AI Hub Mittelstand supports companies across Germany in implementing AI projects to reduce resource and material consumption. It focuses particularly on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), offering practical, solution-oriented, and on-site support. The initiative is coordinated by Zukunft - Umwelt - Gesellschaft (ZUG) gGmbH on behalf of the BMUV, with DFKI, the Wuppertal Institute and the VDI Technology Center responsible for implementation.
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