Surface Inspection Database Server Summary

System Functionality
 

The Database Server System (DB Server) is designed to passively monitor the operation of one, or many, Surface Inspection System(s) such as the Cognex ISYS system. As material is inspected by an Inspection System, result files are produced on the ISYS system’s disk. These files are scanned by the DB Server at a configurable time interval. New inspection files are identified and recorded in the DB Server’s local SQL Server Database. Operations are then initiated to extract the required result information from the ISYS system(s). The results are then stored in the SQL Server database where they are uniquely identified by product and date. The items of information which are stored in the SQL Server Database are standard
inspection header, the inspection summary, inspection categories, and all the defect records for each inspection.

The Inspection DB Server system is configurable to the extent that COGNEX ISYS Inspection Systems may be added to the  system operation via configuration parameters. Inspection DB System configuration tools are provided for this purpose.

A client data viewing application is provided for viewing of the inspection information stored on the Inspection DB server. This viewing client may be deployed to any number of PCs throughout the customer facility.

A utility application is also provided which monitors the status of connection(s) to the Cognex ISYS Inspection System(s) being accessed. It provides information related to the availability of the Inspection Systems on the network.

The DB Server is constructed such that other non-COGNEX inspection systems may also be accommodated with minor additions to the system software. This is of course based upon the premise that other inspection systems generate information which is similar in nature to the COGNEX system. The cost of adding these features would have to be determined at the time when information is available for the target system.

System Architecture

The Inspection DB Server includes all hardware and software licenses for the DB Server itself. This includes the server PC, CAT5 network interface cables, SQL Server Standard database license (5 CAL), and Visual Studio .NET Enterprise
Developer license.

The DB Server hardware consists of a server class Intel based PC. The PC hardware includes hardware based Raid 1 and Raid 5 capability. Raid 5 is used for the disks comprising the actual Inspection DB. Raid 1 is used to protect the operating system disk. Two network interface cards are provided for greater flexibility and for segregation of network traffic. Nearly 1/2 Terabyte of disk storage is available for inspection information. Additional storage may be added through the external Raid controller channel.

All custom applications are written using Visual Studio .NET and use a Microsoft SQL Server database for storage.
 

External Requirements
 

The customer is responsible for supplying the appropriate operating environment for the equipment supplied, including a UPS power source and network connectivity. The customer is also responsible for providing any other means of accessing the DB Server data which is outside of the client viewing tool. Remote access can be achieved by use of standard ODBC mechanisms, or SQL Client Tools.

In the case of Cognex ISYS systems, a Host Interface Program(HIP) must be provided for exclusive use by the DB Server. This is in addition to any existing HIP which is in use for Inspection Control. Please consult Cognex for pricing and availability of additional HIPs for your Inspection system.

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