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Z by HP high-performance workstations bring precise AI-based visual inspection to production lines

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Top runner in AI development Established in 2013, Araya has been developing AI solutions since the onset of the technology. The company promotes the use of AI in a wide range of sectors, including product development, with image AI, edge AI, autonomous AI, and general-purpose AI, which enables technological development that transcends the barriers of industrial applications.

“Our products emphasize technology-oriented aspects, unlike common AI. InspectAI does not use general inspection AI algorithms but has its own knowledge. This allows customers to introduce higher-precision AI without a hassle,” says Satoshi Demoto, Business Strategy Manager at Araya. In industries with production lines, visual inspection before delivery has always been a necessary step. In the past, many relied on human visuals or adopted rule-based solutions, even if they were automated. With Araya’s AI, highly accurate visual inspection can be performed without human intervention.

On factory production lines, visual inspection can be a nerve-wracking task. Today, inspection methods that used to be performed visually are now being automated by artificial intelligence (AI). However, high costs and regulation challenges make companies cautious about using the technology. Enter Araya Co. Ltd., which eases the process of deploying visual inspection through artificial intelligence.

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Z by HP Workstations enable stable operation The HP Z4 desktop workstation is the recommended platform for InspectAI. “It is viewed as the best workstation for the field, especially with the cost advantage for the specifications required by InspectAI, like expandability to add slots for connecting cameras, and the reliability required for inspection systems that operate 24 hours a day,” says Yosuke Kaneko, Deep Learning Team Senior AI Engineer at Araya.

High-quality and low-cost solution With general AI, sample data of abnormal products is often required in units of 100. However, since there are few abnormal products in a Japanese production line, obtaining samples is a challenge, and businesses have stopped deploying AI for that reason. Araya’s InspectAI, which does not require a significant amount of anomalous data, has become a savior.

For example, detecting foreign matter in food, such as hair contamination or a piece of plastic that looks like dried fish or shellfish, is easy. “If the inspection target is the same, it can be inspected in the same way even if the container or contents change. Since it is AI that detects abnormalities, there is no difference in detection accuracy even if the container or some other variable changes,” says Hirofumi Fujita, Deep Learning Team Senior AI Engineer at Araya.

High-precision visual inspection of abnormal products InspectAI is characterized by being able to learn with only normal product data and a small amount of abnormal data. “High-precision detection is possible with a small amount of data compared to AI,” adds Kotaro Kaneda, Senior Staff, Sales and Marketing.

InspectAI The merit of providing such high-precision AI in a package is immeasurable.” AI that realizes visual inspection generally develops scratches, but Araya offers this as a package. Instructions for equipment such as cameras and lighting for inspection are included. And we recommend Z by HP Workstations as the most important computer platform,” Kaneda says.

“InspectAI is a total product that offers everything from hardware to operational customization, not to mention software.”

The cost-effectiveness of implementing InspectAI can be advantageous for many businesses.

“If there are cases where you want to have stricter inspections than usual, you can reset the parameters yourself. Even if you have to run multiple products, you can easily change the defined model,” Fujita says.

Many companies have been waiting for a solution exactly like InspectAI.

The HP Z4 can be equipped with cutting-edge hardware such as Intel® Xeon® processors and the NVIDIA RTX™ 6000 series GPU.

“We will propose the basic recommended specifications, but we will also provide guidance on customization that takes into account the features of the customer’s inspection target,” Kaneko explains.

The larger the inspection object, the more image data is captured and the greater the processing load.

“The reason why we recommend the HP Z4 is that its specifications can be customized. Since power is required not only for AI but also for image processing, both the CPU and GPU must be balanced. The Z Workstations’ specifications can be flexibly changed, so we can make proposals to our customers with complete peace of mind,” Kaneko says.

In addition, availability plays a key role because continuous operation is a prerequisite for visual inspection. Workstations like the HP Z4 were also chosen for their high availability, made possible by excellent air flow management for cooling the chassis.

“Availability is the most important requirement of InspectAI. Since it will continue to be subject to a certain load during operation, high availability is a necessity for that,” Kaneko says. A wired camera can be connected to the Z4, or to an external device using a protocol such as TCP.

HP meets high expectations for its hardware as well as support capabilities. “In the unlikely event of a hardware failure, we have 365 days of on-site support. Many customers are unable to abort the system, so this support is a big attraction,” Kaneko says. “In addition, Z by HP Workstations will be supplied with parts for a long period of time.” Stable procurement is ideal for reliable, long-term operation by users.

Solving industrial issues InspectAI is a packaged product that draws from Araya’s established expertise and strengths.

“We have a lot of experience in introducing AI for visual inspection. By collecting the knowledge gained from that, InspectAI was born,” Demoto shares.

Araya’s AI for visual inspection, which has many users in the food and automotive industries, has already been put into practical use and has been highly evaluated, demonstrating InspectAI’s high degree of perfection.

“The labor shortage is becoming more serious in the industrial world as well,” Demoto says. “There are considerable concerns that it may be difficult to rely on foreign workers. In future industrial applications, visual inspection will be left to AI, and human resources will be required to concentrate on higher- value work. InspectAI can handle the quality requirements in many industries with any size company. Anyone who has been unable to take steps in the past to automate visual inspections should feel free to contact us,” adds Demoto.

Intel, the Intel logo, and Xeon® are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries. NVIDIA and RTX are trademarks of NVIDIA Corporation.

© Copyright 2023 HP Development Company, L.P. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein.

4AA8-1651ENW, December 2023

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