OCTOBER 26, 2009--Combined with the VC Solar Solution software library, the company's network-compatible smart cameras form an autonomous robot guidance system for solar cell production. The compact size allows the vision systems to be retrofitted into existing installations. They process several images simultaneously and transmit data in real time. Inspection tasks include detecting wafer positions, measuring all geometric dimensions, monitoring surfaces, and detecting damaged edges. The new VC4067/NIR near-infrared camera has been developed primarily for use with the VC Solar Solution. Its sensor operation mode ensures the photosensitive technology delivers precise images at wavelengths up to 1100 nm.
Vision Components
Ettlingen, Germany
www.vision-components.com
-- Posted by Carrie Meadows, Vision Systems Design, www.vision-systems.com
For related information, visit the Smart Cameras topic center.
------
PRESS RELEASE
Camera-guided solar cell manufacturing:
Specialized software library for intelligent cameras
Ettlingen - Vision Components enables cost-efficient and powerful production and quality control in the solar industry. Combined with the VC Solar Solution software library, the company's network-compatible Smart Cameras form an autonomous robot guidance solution for solar cell production. Due to their small size, the compact vision systems can easily be retrofitted into existing installations. They process several images simultaneously and transmit data in real time. Inspection tasks include detecting wafer positions, measuring all geometric dimensions, monitoring surfaces, and detecting damaged edges.
Vision Components offers a wide range of performance-graded, fully integrated intelligent cameras for combination with the VC Solar Solution software library. The company has developed its new VC4067/NIR near infrared camera primarily for use with the VC Solar Solution. Thanks to a unique sensor operation mode, the photosensitive technology ensures highly precise images at wavelengths up to 1,100 nm. As a result, the camera is optimally suited, e.g., for electroluminescence (EL) quality control tasks. It reliably detects and identifies defects such as micro cracks, shunts, and disconnected fingers. The resolution equals that of similar systems on the market without integrated intelligence. Unlike those, the cost-efficient VC solutions include all image processing electronics and do not require cooling systems.
Featuring an integrated 400 MHz processor from Texas Instruments, the VC4067/NIR has a computing power of 3,200 MIPS. The 2/3" CCD sensor has a 1,280 x 1,024 pixel resolution and provides a maximum frame rate of 14 fps and a freely programmable exposure time from 5 µs to 17 s. The VC4067/NIR comes with RS232 and Ethernet interfaces and an external trigger input that enables jitter-free image capture even at high reading frequencies. Standard configuration also includes four digital PLC inputs and four outputs and an SXGA video output.
Company Background
Vision Components GmbH was founded in 1996 by Michael Engel, inventor of the first intelligent camera for industrial applications. Today, VC is a leading supplier in the field of industrial image processing. The Ettlingen-based company develops and distributes intelligent, network-compatible real-time cameras. Equipped with the proprietary multitasking operating system VCRT, the devices operate without an additional PC, making them easy to integrate into almost any industrial facility. Typical application areas include quality and completeness checks, measurement technology and biometric access control.
Vision Components GmbH
Ottostr. 2
76 275 Ettlingen
Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)7243 / 2167-16
web: www.vision-components.com
