Despite the Covid crisis and lockdown, the Burghausen-based company senswork is growing continuously and is opening an Innovation Lab in Munich this year. The focus there will be image processing and artificial intelligence.

"We develop vision for machines and robots" is the motto of the senswork Innovation Lab in Munich. The latest figurehead of the Burghausen company is pursuing new paths and working on solutions for optical inspection using deep learning and AI. Innovative technologies are picked up at an early stage in order to make them usable for industry and research. "We are thus preparing the way for the future of quality assurance", says Rainer Obergrußberger, managing director of senswork.

In its Innovation Lab, senswork is currently working on the image analysis of large data sets using neural networks, the generation and evaluation of high-resolution 3D measurement applications as well as data acquisition outside of the wavelength range that can be perceived by humans.

Deep Learning expands Machine Vision Applications enormously

With Deep Learning, the applications in image processing are enormously expanded. For the use of deep learning methods in image processing, senswork offers support throughout the entire planning and integration process. In order to analyze the feasibility of a task, a preliminary study is generally carried out. This requires image data from the process to be checked, which is either already available at the customer's premises or which is recorded on site using an image processing system.

"When selecting a suitable toolkit, we orientate ourselves towards the optimal solution," says Markus Schatzl, head of the Innovation Lab. "This can lie in the application of our own deep learning software Neuralyze as well as in the use of libraries from well-known software houses."

Suitable for diffuse, transparent or curved surfaces

Deep Learning is particularly suitable for 2D and 3D technologies, for example for test objects with diffuse, transparent or curved surfaces, in which the error features have a wide range. This includes the detection of cracks and cavities on rough surfaces in die casting technology. The assessment of natural products such as plant growth or food is also possible with deep learning systems.

Nobody had anticipated this development ten years ago. The two managing directors Rainer Obergrußberger and Roman Rieger founded senswork in Rosenheim on January 11, 2011. For several years Roman Rieger and Rainer Obergrußberger took part in a seminar for managers at the university there, and during this time they developed plans for their own company. The name reveals that sensor systems were already the company's main field of application back then. Both were able to contribute their more than 20 years of experience in this area.

Fields of activity continuously expanded

Since senswork was founded, the company has grown continuously and expanded its fields of activity. Regular customers include companies based in industry such as Wacker, Siemens and Alete. The systems are mainly used in the automotive sector, in mechanical engineering, in medical technology, in the electrical and food industries. In many cases, digital image processing is a guarantee for the highest product quality.

The manufacturer of high-end solutions has grown steadily over the past ten years. Today almost 30 employees work at four locations, one of which recently opened in Tennessee / USA, but most of them at the headquarters in Burghausen.

The first move from Rosenheim to Burghausen took place in September 2013. The first test machine was constructed and set up as a makeshift in a container with double-leaf doors. “We rented this at short notice because the fully assembled machine would not have fit through the front door,” recalls Roman Rieger. The move to the current location followed at the end of 2017, just one street further after the old premises had finally become too small.

Commitment, inovation and willingness to invest

In an area of 500 square meters with their own workshop and modern test laboratory, engineers and technicians from a wide variety of disciplines tinker, develop, design, build and program. And there is still room to grow.

In addition to camera systems for automation and quality assurance, the portfolio now also includes complete systems and special solutions. From planning to implementation with prototyping, construction, integration and commissioning, senswork delivers everything from a single source.

What distinguishes senswork is a lot of commitment, inventiveness and willingness to invest. "Our curiosity and our enthusiasm for image processing are what drives us to meet the challenges of our customers with high quality," says Roman Rieger. Even in times of Covid, senswork successfully manages innovative projects. Despite Covid, sales in 2020 were at the previous year's level.