How Vulkan INOX rethinks blasting-media analysis with MiViA
The challenges at VULKAN INOX
André Hahn heads quality management at Vulkan INOX. Since 1985, Vulkan INOX has specialized in developing, producing, and distributing high-quality stainless-steel blasting media.
In addition to quality assurance, he is responsible for standards, environmental matters, and sustainability - in short, the technical and regulatory requirements applying to the company's products.
One key area is the visual analysis of blasting media.
The goal is to classify round and non-round particles correctly. Under the applicable standard, a particle may be classified as non-round when it is at least twice as long as it is wide.
Previously, this process was entirely visual: employees examined samples under a microscope and assessed the image based on experience.
The resulting challenges were:
- Inconsistent results: Each person interprets the image differently, and assessments can also vary from day to day.
- Discussion required for borderline cases: Deviations from the standard in particular led to lengthy discussions.
- Limited traceability: The visual assessment was difficult to reconstruct or substantiate later.
André Hahn was looking for a more objective and traceable solution.
The solution
He discovered MiViA through a technical publication and was immediately interested. AI-supported image analysis, originally developed for grain-size analysis in materials engineering, appeared adaptable to his requirements.
“I knew that if you can detect round grains, you can also detect round particles - the underlying principles are similar.”
Vulkan INOX and MiViA began developing a customized solution focused on the following capabilities:
- Automated differentiation between round and non-round particles
- Clear color coding for immediate visual separation
- Exact particle counts, even at very high particle densities
- PDF report exports for customer communication
Initial tests showed that even in images where the human eye estimated 150 particles, MiViA identified more than 500 individual particles, providing an entirely new level of precision.
The results
The benefits for Vulkan INOX are clear, although André Hahn describes them with a touch of humor:
“Of course I see the potential. But honestly, I do not want to make the competition any smarter either.”
MiViA adds particular value wherever visual quality inspections still depend on human assessment. Beyond blasting media, fields such as additive manufacturing, powder coating, and technical ceramics could also benefit - anywhere the shape of particles or grains matters.