Deep Learning-based Machine Vision Solution for PCB Recycling

We recently teamed up with Arimation Robotics, a Minnesota-based innovator and provider of advanced custom automation solutions for life sciences, medical devices, and manufacturing industries. Together, we tackled an ambitious project aimed at addressing a significant environmental challenge: recycling discarded PCB boards.

Images and video courtesy of Arimation Robotics

The task was daunting: rapidly sorting over 6,000 different PCB boards into 20 distinct categories based on the value of precious metals present. Sorting by human operators proved impossible due to the sheer volume and complexity. Arimation Robotics sought an AI-powered solution, and we were one of several companies approached to help solve this problem.

Pushing the boundaries of what’s technologically possible lies at the heart of Arimation Robotics, and through close collaboration, we developed a deep learning-based machine vision system that achieved both exceptional accuracy and throughput. This achievement was the result of our teams’ dedication to overcoming obstacles and our shared commitment to innovation.

This project holds special significance because it directly addresses the critical issue of preserving valuable resources through recycling, contributing to the sustainability of our environment as well as lowering overall production cost. The solution we helped create has the potential to make a tangible difference by improving efficiency in recycling processes, which aligns with Arimation Robotics’ mission to improve quality of life and human health.

We are especially proud of our role in this project, having been the only company out of several to provide a fully functional solution. Our team’s persistence and problem-solving mindset enabled us to deliver where others could not.

As Arimation Robotics’ CEO, Ari Pitkanen, remarked:

“We approached many companies, including larger, well-established ones, but none showed the determination to push through obstacles like the team at PEKAT VISION. They refused to give up until a solution was found, while others simply walked away from the challenge.”

If you’re looking for innovative deep learning machine vision solutions to complex problems, don’t hesitate to contact us. And if you’re in the U.S., feel free to reach out to Arimation Robotics directly.