Features
- Remote Vehicles Image Ocean Depths
  A modular imaging system employing customized interfaces, connectors, and housings for its hardware can be fitted to remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that perform at depths of 4000 m below sea level.
- Raman Spectroscopy Performs High-Quality Materials Sorting
  Nondestructive Raman spectroscopy leverages advanced cameras and spectrometers to sort recyclable materials by their light-scattering properties.
- Small-Form-Factor Frame Grabbers Enable Embedded Applications
  With the latest generation of PC/104 imaging boards, vendors are offering numerous analog and digital interfaces to support embedded vision system development.
Departments
- My View
  - Politics and machine vision
    In an effort to reduce the consumption of fossil fuels such as coal and oil, many governments have encouraged the deployment of alternative energy sources such as solar energy.
- Snapshots
  - Linescan cameras inspect banknotes
    Chromasens has created an automated optical 3-D inspection system to inspect banknotes during a web printing process.
  - In-line system color-checks wire and cable
    To ensure the integrity of the manufacturing process, Taymer International has developed a system that measures the jacket colors of wire and cable products in-line.
  - AI-based software predicts ease of intubation
    To develop a system that could help anesthesiologists assess the most effective course of treatment for their patients, a Swiss provider of facial imaging software has received a grant from the Swiss Commission for Technology and Innovation.
  - Modular vision components support packaging inspection
    Automated vision systems are now playing a key role in the packaging industry where products such as bottles and cans are produced in the billions each year.
- Technology Trends
  - MEASUREMENT/GAUGING: Phase measurement technique detects defects in specular surfaces
    Colleagues at the Fraunhofer Institute of Optronics have developed a technique known as phase measurement deflectometry (PMD) to overcome the limitations of current methods used to measure the surface of diffusely reflecting objects.
  - OPTICS & LENSES: Consumer lens standard targets surveillance applications
    In many surveillance applications, camera systems are often required to perform automatic focus and aperture control. A number of companies and consortia have developed lens standards to meet the needs of these applications.
  - SOLAR/PHOTOVOLTAICS MANUFACTURING: LEDs challenge xenon flash lamps in solar panel testing
    To ensure that solar panels have the highest photoelectric conversion efficiency, photovoltaic manufacturers must test each of their solar modules before they can be assembled into panels.
  - VISION-GUIDED ROBOTICS: Robotic vision system checks computer keys
    To automate the task of computer keyboard inspection, NeuPro Solutions has developed a machine-vision system that determines the color and quality of individual keys before they are finally assembled.
- Leading Edge Views
  - Explore the Fundamentals of Machine Vision: Part I
    Image sensors, cameras, and illumination sources provide the foundation for machine-vision and image-processing systems.