Prior to the introduction of automated image-analysis systems, lab operators often had to rely on expensive film-based methods of documenting and analyzing images. Typically, a lab would only take a limited number of pictures because of film cost. These images would subsequently be analyzed manually by visually comparing them to published industry standards. However, with the advent of powerful PCs came automated image-analysis systems that were able to speed up this process.
The power tools division of Black & Decker (Towson, MD) uses a turnkey image analysis system that it acquired about two years ago from Clemex Technologies Inc. (Longueuil, Quebec, Canada) for quality inspection and research and development. The high-end turnkey system consists of a computer, motorized stage, microscope, camera, printer and two monitors. One monitor is used to display a high-resolution image and the other is used to develop imaging routines.