What is FOS?

FOS stands for foreign object detection system. In simple terms, foreign object detection means finding any object that does not belong in a given environment, as it could potentially lead to personnel injury or component damage if not removed.

Industrial automation is not the only industry to make use of FOS; in fact, many industries employ FOS to ensure safety, quality control, and operational efficiency! For example, aviation uses foreign object detection systems on runways and taxiways to identify debris that could pose a danger to aircraft during takeoff and landing, helping prevent damage to aircraft engines and tires. FOS also plays a crucial role in the food industry to identify contaminants like metal fragments, glass shards, or plastic pieces in food products. No consumer wants to bite into a piece of glass come snack time—just like how no driver wants their EV car to explode. Which brings us to our next application example…

FOS in EV automotive assembly

In the process of electric vehicle (EV) assembly, particularly during the meticulous construction of high-voltage batteries or storage units (HVS), precision and caution is imperative. Undetected foreign objects, ranging from tools to nuts and bolts, can have detrimental consequences on the integrity of the HVS. These objects, innocuous as they may seem, have the potential to compromise the battery’s surface, ultimately leading to the dire risks of short circuits and fires in both electric vehicles and high-stakes production lines. The resulting aftermath could include substantial property damage and, more gravely, personal injury.

This looming threat, however, is effectively mitigated through a foreign object detection system.    Read More

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