INSPECTIONS There are jobs that humans just cannot do — for example, spotting flaws that are too tiny to be detected with the naked eye on electronic parts. These cracks or imperfections can cause the electronic device to malfunction, or worse, endanger its users – not to mention the recall exercise that would incur massive costs. This is why the quality control inspections are now entrusted to companies like Ideal Vision Integration, which provides machine vision inspection solutions
Founded in 2013, Ideal Vision is an MSC-status company based in Penang with a clientele that crosses industries – from semiconductor to medical to automotive to packaging – in Asia, Europe and the United States. Its CEO, Edmund Yuen, tells Asia Connects why the demand for machine vision is booming.
AC: How has the machine vision industry evolved since Ideal Vision began operation in 2013?
Yuen: Around ten years ago, electronics manufacturers relied more on human visual inspection as it is more cost-effective compared to visual inspection technology. At the time, the inspection was also mainly concerning external cosmetic defects with an average size of 0.05 mm and above, which are still viable for human visual checks.
Nowadays, due to electronic miniaturisation, the industries have very stringent inspection requirements. n semiconductor industries, the machine vision system needs to possess 0.001 mm defect detection inspection capability. Hence, automated machine vision equipment is necessary to perform the inspection tasks and eventually replaced humans in a quality control factory line, as consistency and accuracy are what companies need. At Ideal Vision, we have pushed the limits of imaging, optics, equipment structure stability, inspection algorithms, and processing power to develop world-class machine vision equipment and solutions for our clients. Now, we are researching and developing deep learning integration so that big data support can make the inspection process more robust, accurate and manageable.
AC: Has your research and development (R&D) efforts paid off?
Yuen: Indeed. In 2018, Ideal Vision recorded 5x in revenue growth after we launched the advanced and flexible machine vision platform, JÄGER™. This platform has been widely installed and integrated into various inspection applications in Southeast Asia and China. Demand for machine vision systems and equipment has skyrocketed in the post-pandemic world, especially among the semiconductor players. Ideal Vision projects that its revenue growth will at least double in 2022. To cater for the growing opportunities, we have doubled our workspace last year to increase our headcount and production capacity. In 2020, we also diversified business from machine vision system integration to equipment manufacturing.
AC: Sounds like an exciting journey ahead! But are you grappling with any roadblocks?
Yuen: As an SME, talent shortage is always a challenge. Most candidates prefer to join multinational corporations (MNCs) or limited liability companies (LLCs) because they believe that they offer better job security and career advancement opportunities. But a good SME eventually grows and becomes an LLC too. Ideal Vision is also committed to the growth of our employees by offering our engineers many training and networking opportunities, besides a competitive remuneration package and a comfortable, innovative workplace.
Another issue is funding – as a growing tech company, massive funding is required to invest in R&D technologies. One major support we received was the MSC Malaysia Status and Pioneer Status from the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in 2017. The tax incentive that came with the Pioneer Status allowed us to reinvest funds into R&D expenditure. So, I recommend SMEs dialogue with government agencies to seek funding or grant assistance.
AC: Does operating in Penang also lend Ideal Vision any advantage or additional support?
Yuen: Yes. As you may know, Penang is known as the ‘Silicon Valley of the East’ with a well-established electrical and electronics (E&E) ecosystem. Ideal Vision decided to set up its headquarters in Penang because we wanted to be part of this regional hub’s ecosystem and supply chain for hi-tech machinery and equipment. Moreover, Penang’s robust E&E industry has attracted and created a strong talent pool, especially in software and engineering – proving that we made the right choice for Ideal Vision to be stationed here.
