Computer board in control
Developed for real-time control of industrial processes, the VCIA passively cooled single-board industrial computer features the Intel mobile Pentium MMX processor. Operating at 266 MHz, the board offers optional software for automation control that includes an HMI, traditional PLC controls, direct connection to sensors/actuators and Fieldbus protocols, and 256 Mbytes of SO-DIMM SDRAM. Four RS-232 serial ports are supplied as standard, and, as an option, communications ports can be optocoupled as RS-422/485 interfaces. The VCIA also includes 1280 x 1024-pixel graphics capability with 2 Mbytes of VRAM. PEP Modular Computers, Pittsburgh, PA 15220; (412) 921-3322.
Camera provides color
HV-D30 three-CCD interlaced-scan camera measures 65 x 65 x 80 mm and weighs 400 g. Horizontal resolution is 800 TV lines. On-board color corrector adjusts saturation and hue of the three primary colors. With a built-in DSP and a 12-bit analog-to-digital converter, the camera delivers a signal-to-noise ratio of 64 dB and 30-frame/s output. Minimum illumination is 1.2 lux. On-board RS-232C port enables the remote control of camera functions using a host PC. Hitachi Denshi America, Woodbury, NY 11797; (516) 682-4411.
LCD display has high contrast
Precision 1M digital 20.1-in.-diagonal, 1-Mpixel gray-scale flat-panel LCD provides more than 1554 visible gray shades and delivers a luminance of 175 foot-lamberts and a contrast ratio of 700:1. Automatic brightness-stabilizing circuit minimizes fluctuations caused by internal and environmental temperatures. The display offers a 170° viewing angle and can operate from 30 to 80 kHz. Dr. Kal calibration software ensures DICOM compliance. Data-Ray, Westminster, CO 80234; (303) 451-1300.
CMOS image sensor runs at 240 frames/s
PB-MV40 4-Mpixel CMOS image sensor captures images at speeds to 240 frames/s at full resolution, resulting in a 1-Gbit/s throughput. In addition, the sensor enables frame rates of greater than 2000 frames/s via a partial scan mode. Features include on-chip 10-bit analog-to-digital converters outputting monochrome or color digital video in 2352 x 1728-pixel format and a 4:3 aspect ratio at 0—240 frames/s. Designed with 7-µm-square pixels, the device delivers a digital responsivity of 2500 bits/lux-s. Photobit, Pasadena, CA 91101; (626) 683-2200.
Lenses aid various formats For product manufacturing, assembly, and quality-control applications, a range of CCD and CCTV lenses accommodate 1/3-, 1/2-, 2/3-, and 1-in. image formats. The lenses are of three-, six-, or seven-glass element designs with focal lengths from 10 to 45 mm, speeds from f/1.5 to f/8, and color correction for wavelengths from 400 to 1000 nm. They come with fixed or variable iris diaphragms and manual lockable or click-stop adjustments. Accessory extension tubes are available for magnification adjustment. Docter Optics, Mesa, AZ 85201; (480) 844-7585.
Lightguides are flexible Designed for scientific, medical, military, and industrial applications, a range of flexible quartz fiberoptic lightguides come in single and multilegged assemblies at variable lengths, fiber counts, and diameters. Certified light output is maintained within ±5%, and the lightguides are assembled with stainless-steel ferrule endcaps and shielding. CT Fiberoptics, Somers, CT 06071; (860) 763-4341.
Software analyzes IR data ThermaCam Researcher 2001 real-time thermal-analysis software digitally stores, retrieves, and analyzes infrared images from ThermaCam SC series IR cameras. This Windows-based software package provides analysis and measurement tools for capturing, recording, and studying high-speed thermal events. Features include a flexible screen layout, automatic image adjustments, user-defined recording conditions, and customizable measurement tool graphics. Images can be saved in FLIR Public Format (.fpf), which provides an open interface for custom applications. FLIR Systems, North Billerica, MA 01862; (978) 901-8000.
Lenses suit near-infrared The MEVis-C series of C-mount measuring lenses are suitable for use in the near-IR region and are available in focal lengths of 25, 35, and 50 mm. Used with imagers up to a 1-in. format, the lenses are optimized at 20X, with an overall range from 10X to infinity. They provide a spectral range of 400—900 nm, with a maximum aperture of 1.6—1.8. Locking screws are provided for focusing and aperture. Linos Photonics, Milford, MA 01757; (508) 478-6200.
CMOS sensor surveys Single-chip, black-and-white, analog-output OV7421 CMOS CameraChip sensor works with a 5.0-V supply and at an illumination level of 0.0929 foot-candles. Accommodating the EIA (black-and-white equivalent of NTSC) 510 x 492-pixel and CCIR (black-and-white equivalent of PAL) 628 x 582-pixel video standard outputs, the sensor delivers composite video for a television or monitor. It features a 1/3-in. format and real-time frame rates for video and imaging. Features include automatic gain control, exposure control, gamma correction, level control, and black-level calibration. OmniVision Technologies Inc., Sunnyvale, CA 94086; (408) 733-3030.
CCD camera is small CV-A1 progressive-scan, 1/2-in. CCD camera combines megapixel-resolution (1392 x 1040) analog output with remote switchless setup capability. By using double-speed operation, it can run at 16 frames/s. A software-configurable partial scan/binning capability increases that rate to 124 frames/s (at reduced resolution). The camera measures 29 mm (1.14 in.) x 44 mm (1.73 in.) x 66 mm (2.6 in.). All settings are done through an RS-232C interface, improving reliability to 100,000 hours MTBF. An analog interface allows several cameras to be multiplexed at the frame-grabber input. Frame-delay readout mode allows up to four cameras to be simultaneously triggered and read out in sequence by multiplexing the analog signal. Features include a variety of trigger modes, such as edge preselect, pulsewidth control, frame-delay readout, and smearless. JAI America Inc., Laguna Hills, CA 92653; (949) 472-5900.
Camera uses three CCDs DXC-C33 remote-head color video camera comes with three 1/3-in. CCD sensors. It measures 32 x 38 x 40 mm and weighs 48 grams. Horizontal resolution is 850 TV lines with 768 x 494 effective pixels and a 62-dB signal-to-noise ratio. Minimum illumination is 2000 lux at f/8. The camera's DV output terminal allows users to record video signals to a compatible iLink (IEEE-1394) interface-equipped VTR. Connections to a remote processor unit with a flexible cable can be extended up to 100 ft. The camera can be controlled through a CCU front panel, a remote control unit, or an external computer via an RS-232C interface. Output signals include iLink, Y/C, composite video, and RGB. Power supply requirements range from 100 to 240 Vac. Sony Electronics, Park Ridge, NJ 07656; (800) 686-7669.
Frame grabber uses PCI bus DT3162 variable-scan monochrome frame grabber for the PCI bus provides an acquisition rate of 40 MHz and a 10-bit A/D converter to capture images. Support for the Camera Interface Module allows the connection of a camera, triggering device, or external clock signal to the frame grabber via a DIN-rail mountable enclosure. A camera/strobe timing control ensures operation with an asynchronous reset camera. Data Translation, Marlboro, MA 01752; (508) 481-3700.
Vision system checks multiple products Vision system allows inspection parameters to be changed while processing multiple products. It consists of the Presence Plus 2 vision sensor, Red Lion CL01 operator interface terminal, and Edict-97 software. Inspection changes can be performed manually using the CL01's hot keys or user-defined button sequences. Automatic inspection changes can also be programmed into a PLC for multiple product inspections. Banner Engineering, Minneapolis, MN 55441; (763) 544-3164.
Card packs power Reef-PMC+ PMC card merges the Xilinx Virtex-II FPGA and Analog Devices ADSP-21160 Sharc DSP for configuring FPGAs and DSPs on the same board. On-board 64-bit, 66-MHz PCI interface and up to 512 Mbytes SDRAM allow developers to build digital interfaces and to compute engines, computing blocks, and data buffers. A company SharcFIN ASIC provides a 64-bit/66-MHz PCI interface, connects the ADSP-21160 to peripherals such as flash memory, and provides an SDRAM controller for interfacing the SDRAM to the DSP, Virtex-II, and PCI host. BittWare, Concord, NH 03301; (603) 226.0404.
CompactPCI CPU packs Pentium power Structured as a 3U CompactPCI single-board computer, the ICP-PIII features 256 Mbytes of on-board SDRAM, 700-MHz Pentium III processor, and ATI's Radeon-VE graphics controller. With interfaces that include Ethernet, FireWire, USB, and COM ports, the board can also be equipped with DVI (PanelLink) or Gigastar interface modules. It transmits data from 50 to 100 m with copper cable or up to 500 m with fiberoptic cable. Inova Computers, Hyannis, MA 02610; (508) 771-4415.
Image sensor gets upgraded An upgraded version of the KAF-3200E image sensor, the KAF-3200ME combines the company's indium tin oxide process with microlens technology. Peak quantum efficiency is now 85%. Quantum efficiency for blue wavelengths is improved 49% and 25% in the near-infrared region. The 3.2 million-pixel sensor features a spatial resolution of 2184 x 1510 pixels using 6.8-?m square pixels. Eastman Kodak, Rochester, NY 14650; (716) 722-4385.
Software uses ActiveX Version 3.1 of Aphelion imaging software includes an Aphelion Image Editor for interactive modification of Aphelion binary images, ObjectSets to improve segmentation results, and ActiveX components for image capture, processing, and display. Aphelion Image Gallery provides image database management. Frame-grabber support includes the FlashPoint 3D Pro from Integral Technologies and Picport Color board from Leutron. Aphelion software comes in three versions: as a developer license for end users, as a site license for multiple machines at a single site, or as ActiveX components. ADCIS, Saint-Clair, France; +33 2 31 06 23 00.
Vision system retains images A200/A100 Micro Image Checker is a dual-camera image-processing device that provides subpixel accuracy, 256 gray-scale resolution, and sensorless trigger features. No PC or network connection is required for programming or setup. The system includes image-processing tools, automatic image-retention memory (30 images), feature extraction, optical character verification, and multiple communication protocols for Mitsubishi, Omron, Allen Bradley, and Aromat FP Series PLCs. Aromat, New Providence, NJ 07974; (908) 464-3550.
Optical micrometer uses no moving parts Without using a motor or rotating prism mechanism, the LS-7000 optical micrometer uses an LED light source and a linear CCD sensor. Featuring a 2400-sample/s sampling rate and resolution of 0.01 µm, the micrometer's repeatability is 0.15 µm. Using a GaN LED light source, the device's 520-nm wavelength closely matches the operating characteristics of the CCD element. Additional features include a telecentric optical system that uses parallel light to form an image, thus preventing fluctuations in lens magnification due to changes in target position. A CMOS camera in the receiver head provides a target on the target viewer section of the controller monitor. Keyence Corp. of America, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07675; (888) 539-3623.
Chip enhances images IP00C201 digital filter chip performs multiply/add operations of the input image pixels with programmable coefficients at 100 MHz and 10-bit precision. The kernel can be configured to 7 x 7, 6 x 8, 5 x 10, 4 x 12, 3 x 16, 2 x 25, or 1 x 50 using six internal line buffers of 4k pixels x 10 bits each. Spatial filtering on RGB color images (24-bit or 30-bit pixels) is performed on a kernel size of up to 10 pixels (3 x 3, 2 x 5, or 1 x 10). Multiple chips can be used to increase the resolution to 20 bits per pixel or to expand the kernel size. High-resolution images can be processed in real time for edge detection, enhancement, and noise filtering. JPA Electronics Supply Inc., Santa Clara, CA 95054; (408) 844-0530.
Camera suits PC control KP-F100A progressive-scan CCD camera measures 44 x 44 x 78 mm and weighs 180 grams. An RS-232C port can be used to remotely select all camera functions, from selecting the external mode of the frame-on-demand feature to setting shutter speed, and adjusting the A/D gain and offset. A 10-bit, single-channel, LVDS output eliminates the need for an A/D converter in the frame grabber. The camera can display 24-frame/s half-vertical resolution or 12-frame/s full vertical resolution of 1300 x 1030 pixels. Hitachi Denshi America Ltd., Woodbury, NY; (516) 682-4411.
