Vision + Automation Products
Lens features focus range from 0.5 m to infinity
The new Raptar 50-mm large-format machine-vision lens is designed for use with full-frame 11- and 16-Mpixel sensors. The lens’ mechanical design exceeds industry requirements for MTF, relative illumination, and low distortion that are required of systems with high-cost, large-format cameras. It covers a 43-mm diagonal sensor with a 50-mm field of view and focusing range of 0.5 m to infinity. It features a manual iris and focus control with positive, single point focus and iris locks. Lens aperture range is f/2.0–f/22.0 and its angular field is 46.0° diagonal and 37.0° horizontal.
Navitar, Rochester, NY, USA, www.navitar.com
IR cameras capture more than 100 images/s
The Onca-MWIR-InSb and Onca-MWIR-MCT are midwave infrared imaging cameras appropriate for critical thermal imaging applications. Both models feature 640 × 512 pixels and the capability to add up to five filters to the filter wheel in order to perform multispectral measurements. On the InSb model, total wavelength area is 1 to 5 μm. The cameras capture more than 100 images per second according to the GigE Vision standard. They offer 14-bit images at various frame rates.
Xenics, Leuven, Belgium, www.xenics.com
Library ensures interface between software and cameras
The Cognex Vision Library is a software interface for Cognex’s VisionPro and CVL that supports all uEye cameras and includes USB and GigE cameras. The development of the interface ensures that all uEye cameras, available with resolutions ranging from VGA to 10 Mpixel, will successfully interface with VisionPro and CVL. The Cognex interface for the uEye cameras is available for download individually or as part of the latest uEye software version 3.40. To download, visit the IDS web site.
IDS Imaging Development Systems, Obersulm, Germany, www.ids-imaging.de
Camera uses multiple engines
The BOA Vision System smart camera comprises all of the elements of an industrial machine-vision system. It incorporates multiple processing engines, which optimize algorithms via DSP, manage applications via CPU, and manage the sensor via FPGA. Embedded iNspect application software is set up through a standard web browser. The BOA delivers built-in factory communications and a low deployment cost. Its 44-mm cube form factor is designed for tight-fit applications. An IP67-rated housing allows deployment in harsh, wash-down environments.
DALSA
Waterloo, ON, Canada
www.dalsa.com
Cameras use Power over Gigabit Ethernet
Power over Ethernet (PoE) is now available on all PicSight-GigE cameras and PicSight-Smart models, including versions with lens control. PoE using Gigabit Ethernet applies the technique of phantom power over two of the pairs, allowing the transfer of 48-VDC power mixed with Ethernet signals. Power and data can reliably be separated and provide no loss of bandwidth. It is possible to install a camera with a single standard Cat5e cable. PoE is useful for applications handling multiple cameras or where external power is inconvenient. Power over Gigabit Ethernet is compatible with GigE Vision because it does not affect the content of transmitted data.
Leutron Vision
Glattbrugg, Switzerland
www.leutron.com
Camera Link frame grabber has half-length form factor
The Matrox Radient eCL Camera Link frame grabber features an Altera StratixIII processing FPGA. It is a single-board solution for applications that require high-performing Camera Link cameras. The x8 PCIe card ensures that the data from 10-tap, 85-MHz cameras is transferred to the host CPUs. Its half-length form factor fits into compact systems. Optimized for multicamera applications, Radient eCL supports up to four Base or two Full mode Camera Link cameras. With Matrox Imaging’s FPGA design services, OEMs can benefit from FPGA-based processing without the cost of specialized staff and FPGA development tools. The frame grabber supports 32- and 64-bit versions of Windows XP/Vista and Linux and is programmed with the hardware-independent Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) or MIL-Lite development tool kits.
Matrox Imaging
Montreal, QC, Canada
www.matrox.com/imaging
CCD cameras are based on 1340 × 1300-pixel sensors
The PIXIS: 1300 series adds three configurations to the camera product line: front-illuminated, back-illuminated, and back-illuminated deep depletion CCD cameras. These cameras are based on PI’s proprietary 1340 × 1300-pixel format sensors with a 26.8 × 26.0-mm imaging area. The cameras offer deep cooling better than –70°C, with guaranteed vacuum for the life of the camera. Other features include dual 100-kHz/2-MHz digitizers, multiple gains, multiple output amplifiers, ultralow read noise of 2 e- rms, all-metal hermetic seals, USB 2.0 interface, and single optical window design for high optical throughput.
Princeton Instruments
Trenton, NJ, USA
www.princetoninstruments.com
Sensor is housed in chip-scale package
The NanEY sensor family offers a digital sensor module with 1-mm side length. The sensor embeds in the chip-scale package a miniaturized lens optimized for medical endoscopic applications. The total sensor module dimensions of 1 × 1 × 1 mm permit integration in endoscopes for virtually any micro invasive procedure. The sensor embeds a full “camera on chip” concept with clock generation, readout sequencing AD conversion, and bit serial LVDS data communication. The sensors provide 65k pixels and operate at 40 frames/s. Black-and-white and RGB color versions are available.
AWAIBA Lda.
Funchal, Portugal
www.awaiba.com
Camera Link unit reaches 400 frames/s at 640 × 480 pixels
The Camera Link version of the svs340 camera (640 × 480 pixels) can be accelerated up to 400 frames/s; with GigE interface it reaches 264 frames/s. The 1/3-in. CCD with a pixel size of 7.4 × 7.4 μm is read out via two taps. The analog CCD signal is processed using “Correlated Double Sampling” (CDS); digital signal conversion guarantees a high signal-to-noise ratio. The internal microcontroller allows different ways to adjust the operating mode (such as 2 × 2 binning), exposure time, and gain and offset. Synchronization of image capture to an external event can be adjusted by the user. The exposure time of the camera can be either modified via serial Camera Link interface or by trigger pulsewidth.
SVS-VISTEK
Seefeld, Germany
www.svs-vistek.com
Interface technology connects camera to system with one coax cable
CoaXPress is a new digital interface technology capable of sending power, General Purpose IO, commands, and image data at very high speeds. With CoaXPress, a camera can be connected to a system using one standard coax cable. Contrary to most high-performance interface solutions like Camera Link that use stiff cables up to 10 m in length, CoaXPress enables lengths greater than 50 m with a flexible coax cable. In addition, data rates beyond Camera Link (Full) can be handled. The interface technology is suited for plug-and-play interfacing in current and future applications. CoaXPress technology has been incorporated as an internal interface in the OPAL Camera Link-compatible camera family.
Adimec
Eindhoven, the Netherlands
www.adimec.com
GigE machine-vision offerings combine software, multiple cameras, and lighting
The new Visionscape GigE Solution is a comprehensive machine-vision solution for Gigabit Ethernet networks, featuring the Visionscape machine-vision software, multiple GigE cameras, and extensive NERLITE lighting products. The set contains all the necessary components for a complete machine-vision implementation. Visionscape GigE supports a complete set of Microscan machine-vision GigE cameras that, in combination with Visionscape software, allows for rapid deployment of any scale of machine-vision solution.
Microscan
Renton, WA, USA
www.microscan.com
Lenses can be customized using Scheimpflug principle
Customized optics are now available. The company can provide specification and design services as well as construction and fabrication of prototypes and small series. Rapid prototyping is possible, developing and producing objectives within five weeks. Knowledgeable technicians can assist with definition problems on high-resolution lenses by using the Scheim-pflug principle, a geometric rule that describes the orientation of the plane of focus of an optical system (such as a camera) when the lens plane is not parallel to the image plane.
IB/E Optics
Hutthurm, Germany
www.ibe-optics.com
Stable cooling of EMCCD minimizes dark current
The ImagEM-1K (C9100-14) EMCCD camera offers high sensitivity, low noise, and high resolution for low-light-level imaging down to single-photon events. The cooled EMCCD camera is suited for a range of imaging applications in biology, materials science, physics, and other markets. It contains a back-thinned EMCCD chip enclosed in a hermetically sealed vacuum head. The EMCCD has 1024 × 1024 pixels with each pixel measuring 13 µm per side, making the camera appropriate for high-resolution imaging using high-NA lenses. The chip has high EM gain and quantum efficiency greater than 90% at peak wavelengths. The stable cooling of the EMCCD via forced air or water enables reliable and stable gain, minimal dark current, and long life for the chip.
Hamamatsu
Bridgewater, NJ
http://sales.hamamatsu.com
Camera software provides new image-processing functions
The PixeLINK microscope camera range, available with either CMOS or CCD sensor technology, now includes the new image-analysis software package called PixeLINK µScope. The software, which is bundled with the cameras at no extra cost, supports the capabilities of the PL-B600 and PL-B800 series. Live measurement and overlay allows users to perform measurements on the live preview image. Manual measurement tools allow for measuring areas, lengths, circles, parallel lines, and perpendicular distance. Line profiling, single multiple, parallel, and polyline commands provide gray, red, green, and blue intensity values for specific lines within an image. Image processing handles manual brightness, contrast, gamma, background saturation, histogram, clone, crop, ROI, resize, rotate, split, and more.
Scorpion Vision
Lymington, UK
www.scorpionvision.com
Gigabit Ethernet cameras available in various color models and resolutions
A new series of Gigabit Ethernet cameras is available in 27 models. The cameras ship in an industrial casing with a C/CS lens mount and optionally with a trigger and digital I/Os. Color, monochrome, and Bayer models are available in VGA, XGA, and SXGA resolutions. Drivers for LabVIEW, Halcon, DirectX, TWAIN, and WDM are included. All camera parameters and settings can be set via the shipped software. A number of automatic modes are available for optimal image quality in varying light conditions. The cameras ship with drivers for Windows XP/Vista, the software developer’s kit (SDK) IC Imaging Control and IC Capture.
The Imaging Source
Charlotte, NC, USA
www.theimagingsource.com
TOF cameras continually self-calibrate during operation
Four newly released time-of-flight (TOF) cameras are based on the SR4000 platform, which includes customer feedback-driven features in the areas of higher background light suppression and improved dynamic range (factor of two compared to earlier offerings). Utilizing an optical feedback design, each camera continually self-calibrates while in operation. The cameras feature a 176 × 144-pixel array (QCIF) and are capable of capturing complete 3-D scenes at up to 54 frames/s. The four released products include selections offering Ethernet or USB interfaces and a range of operation either up to 5 m or up to 10 m.
MESA Imaging
Zurich, Switzerland
www.mesa-imaging.ch
Cameras available with various sensor and mount combinations
The Currera line of smart cameras is powered by the Intel Atom processor, with a full range of CCD and CMOS sensors. Optical mounts including standard C-mount and active Canon lens mount with complete lens control by wire. The enclosure measures 70 × 70 × 94 mm for top-of-the-line 24 × 36-mm Kodak 16-Mpixel CCD Canon mount model, including Power over Ethernet (PoE), USB, isolated GPIO ports, and MicroSD card storage. It is ready to run Linux, Windows XP, or XP Embedded from the onboard SSD.
Softhard Technology
Marianka, Slovak Republic
www.softhard.com
New firmware adds advanced features to area-scan cameras
All scout and pilot area-scan cameras produced from September 2009 on will be fully equipped with new firmware during production. Additional features include very short exposure times, a trigger delay feature, a combined auto-gain and exposure feature, and a mirroring function at full grabbing speed. Multicast support that makes camera image data available on more than one PC will also be added via the free pylon driver package. Compliance with the GenICam standard means existing customers will not need to make changes to their software. New features will be included on every new camera at no additional cost and will be fully compatible with cameras that have recent firmware revisions.
Basler Components
Ahrensburg, Germany
www.baslerweb.com
Optical system replaces multicamera setup
The Within 360° machine-vision system inspects for defects within the walls of internal holes. Its optical setup allows users to inspect the 360° surface of the internal wall utilizing a single camera to capture a single image to process any defects. Typically multicamera systems are needed to cover the full 360° view of the threaded walls during inspection or parts need to be rotated in a single-camera system. Within 360° is a noncontact system with no moving parts and no space constraints. It is available at a lower cost than a multiple-camera solution and offers faster processing speed with a single image and no stitching required.
VisionXtreme
Singapore
www.vxgp.com
Filters eliminate hot spots in thermal images
New IR neutral density filters are spectrally flat over a wavelength range of 2–14 µm. Made from precision germanium substrate, the filters are designed for thermal and medical imaging, with a broad spectral range that makes them suitable for eliminating hot spots in thermal images or attenuating a variety of IR laser sources, including CO2 and IR diode and quantum cascade lasers. The filters achieve attenuation via a metal alloy coating, which uses a combination of absorption and reflection to reach the stated transmittance value.
Edmund Optics
Barrington, NJ, USA
www.edmundoptics.com
Modular video microscope uses cold light source
The MicroInspector2 is a compact, modular video microscope. The quick-release mechanism allows fast and easy changing of various lenses. Available lenses range from a 6-mm wide-angle lens and various microzoom and macrozoom lenses (up to 250x), the latter on request with a rotation mirror for flexible viewing angle, right down to the flexible fiber endoscopes with 230-µm diameter for the optical inspection of difficult-to-access areas. The system includes a cold light source with long-life lamps. The high-end version features 5-Mpixel resolution.
Technolab
Berlin, Germany
www.technolab.de
ExpressCard adapter enables 100-Mbyte/s recording
Using StreamPix3, 4, or TroublePix with a new ExpressCard adapter, users can record from any GigE camera at up to 100 Mbytes/s on an existing laptop using external hard disk drives. Record for more than 4.5 hours at 60 Mbytes/s in uncompressed format. The system includes two laptop drives at 500 Gbytes each, two casings, and ExpressCard with cabling. The adapter works only with laptops that include an ExpressCard expansion slot. Performance will vary depending on CPU type, chipset, FireWire, or network card.
NorPix
Montreal, QC, Canada
www.norpix.com
GigE Vision-compliant cameras achieve data transfer over 100-m distances
The XCG series’ four new cameras with GigE Vision interfaces address a range of machine-vision applications. The GigE interface supports large-scale systems that require high-bandwidth data capabilities over distances up to 100 m, such as long cable runs from host computers to cameras. The series includes the following models: XCG-V60E, with 1/3-in. imager in VGA resolution at 90 frames/s; XCG-SX97E, with 2/3-in. imager in SXGA resolution at 16 frames/s; XCG-U100E, with 1/1.8-in. imager in UXGA resolution at 15 frames/s; and XCG-5005E, with 2/3-in. imager in 5-Mpixel resolution at 15 frames/s.
Sony Electronics
Park Ridge, NJ, USA
www.sony.com/videocameras
Photoelectric sensors feature background evaluation
Dura-Vue MLV12 Series photoelectric sensors are available in diffuse mode with background evaluation. The devices provide a sensing range from 50–150 mm, with a 4-mm light spot that enables detection of very small targets, and they are engineered to detect all targets regardless of color or shape. Background evaluation photoelectric sensors establish a light path to a reference background object and back to the sensor. Targets are detected when they pass in front of the sensor and disrupt the light path.
Pepperl + Fuchs
Factory Automation Division
Twinsburg, OH, USA
www.pepperl-fuchs.com