How PolyMX and Cboost are redefining visual inspection in manufacturing
Leveraging AI-powered vision for improved visual inspection accuracy and sustainable business growth
Figure 1: PolyMX polyurethane production process
How can a subjective, expertise-driven process become standardized, scalable and highly accurate?
At PolyMX, the challenge is to eliminate the ‘gray area’ in quality inspections, where human judgment can influence success rates. By partnering with Cboost, an AI and Robotics engineering company, PolyMX is leveraging AI-powered vision to automate workflows and redefine manufacturing automation.
We spoke with Koen van Leeuwen, Managing Director of PolyMX, about this quality inspection project, with its challenges, benefits, and initial results.
This project allows PolyMX, a specialist in the production of polyurethane solutions, to streamline quality inspections, reduce inefficiencies, and maintain consistency at scale without overburdening employees or compromising quality. AI-driven visual asset inspection will help them stay competitive, reduce reliance on manual labor, and make data-driven decisions.
Why PolyMX chose Cboost
As PolyMX enters a high growth phase, scaling processes efficiently became critical. They need to standardize and optimize quality inspections, reducing dependency on manual checks.
Two years earlier, a machine vision quality inspection project with another provider failed, making PolyMX cautious about future collaborations. However, Koen was convinced of the potential of AI vision technology for their needs and sought a new provider. Networking eventually led him to Cboost.
Partnering with an external team wasn’t an easy decision, as PolyMX’s production methods are unique and proprietary. Despite the past setbacks, PolyMX chose to work with Cboost.
“I genuinely appreciated Cboost’s professionalism when planning the project. The process was very transparent, very clear, with well-thought-out decisions. The documentation and the feedback that we have received from Cboost was next level when compared to the other solution provider. And that’s why I said: Let’s do it! Because Cboost showed us that it’s possible to achieve what I had envisioned for PolyMX.”
The collaboration in action
Establishing clear goals
Initially, Koen had a different business challenge in mind, but during a site tour, Koen and the Cboost team identified a potential solution for the quality check department. Two main goals were set:
- Standardization, which implied decreasing reliance on manual processes and clearly defining quality standards that would eliminate the ‘grey area’ in quality checks.
- Scalability, which implies increasing the number of polyurethane products that are checked per day, necessary as PolyMX is growing.
“The first question was, ‘Are you fully reliant on people?’ If we get a new employee, do we have to go through an extensive training process on how to check for quality, show them what is wrong and what is right? What are the reject options that you have? So, the first goal is standardization that also eliminates the ‘grey area’. The second is scalability. How many pieces are we able to check for quality, and how can we increase that?”
Testing feasibility
Cboost conducted a feasibility study to test their AI-powered vision solution on approximately 60 samples. Already in the testing phase, over 80% accuracy was achieved in damage detection on polyurethane products. This meant that the project could continue to the next phase: hardware implementation and data collection.
Challenges and opportunities
Throughout the project, Cboost took a collaborative approach, keeping Koen and his team closely involved. This process also highlighted the limitations of relying solely on human labor, leading to a broader acceptance that to grow, they need to automate some parts of their production process. It’s about enhancing human capabilities, not replacing them.
“The most helpful thing is getting people involved. That’s something that during the talks with Cboost brought a lot of value. Get people involved, make sure it’s their own project as well. Because they are the ones that are giving the most important input.”
However, gaining team buy-in was not always easy. While there was curiosity and anticipation, busy schedules and the lack of a tangible solution at the beginning of the project made it hard for employees to visualize the benefits. To address this, Cboost shared visual support providing an initial idea of what the solution will look like. Along with the feasibility study results, planning clarity, and a collaborative approach, this contributes to getting people’s buy-in for the project.
Why work with Cboost?
When asked why a company should choose Cboost as their AI solution provider, Koen mentioned a few important aspects:
1. Operational impact
Cboost helps you set clear goals that sustain the growth of your business. Whether you want to improve standardization and scalability of quality checks or increase production capacity and reduce dependency on manual processes, Cboost can show you what is possible in terms of visual asset inspection.
2. Cultural shift
Cboost knows that with every solution, the team’s buy-in is essential. After all, it’s not just about technology, but about the people who will use it. With a collaborative approach combined with clear planning and visualization, Cboost can help you raise awareness among employees about the importance of automation.
3. Transparency and clarity
Throughout the entire project, transparency and clarity are of utmost importance for Cboost. The dedicated multi-disciplinary team provides a clear plan with well thought out decisions, with plenty of room for feedback and collaboration.
About Cboost
Cboost is an AI and Robotics engineering company that provides custom end-to-end automation solutions for industrial environments. Their AI and Robotics solutions break the limits of automation and enhance efficiency, profitability and flexibility. With an integrated approach, their multidisciplinary team delivers visual quality inspection solutions in dynamic environments, with a user-friendly experience and flexible hardware options.
About PolyMX
PolyMX is a leading specialist in the production of polyurethane, a wear-resistant and durable material with unique elastic characteristics. They provide custom made solutions for the die-cutting and packaging industry as well as yacht design and transportation business. PolyMX is embracing AI-powered technologies to drive automation and business growth.