Vision system heightens color
The CV-700 machine-vision system uses RealEyes Shade-Scale technology to boost color recognition and detection. Shade-Scale processing recognizes hue and intensity differences to inspect and measure objects whose edges can not be detected by monochrome grayscale level processing. The system comes with a 32-Mbyte compact Flash memory card that allows the recording of up to 128 inspection settings or 122 images. As many as eight images of targets that fail preset criteria can be saved in on-board controller memory. The system performs a 360° image-rotation search as part of the pattern-matching process. Other features include subpixel measurement, illumination adjustment and normalized correlation against light changes, an analog output for data recording, and a menu-driven user interface. Keyence Corp. of America, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677; (888) 539-3623.
Camera includes NEMA 4 housing
Suitable for industrial applications, the VCM30D camera integrates a rugged NEMA 4 (IP67) housing, LED ringlighting, optics, color sensor, processor, and 8 Mbytes of DRAM. It measures 10 x 1.3 in. (diameter) and comes with normalized gray-scale pattern-matching software. The system comprises a C compiler, a real-time operating system, and an image-processing library. An optional cross-development software system is available. Vision Components, Burlington, MA 01803; (781) 229-5842. Imaging library adds tools Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) 7.0 offers tools for image capture, processing, analysis, display, and archiving. It includes a Geometric Model Finder tool for geometric pattern recognition and can locate a model at any position, including angle, at any scale from 50% to 200%. The Geometric Model Finder also incorporates a calibration method that transparently compensates for optical and perspective distortions and provides results in real-world coordinates. Other supported features cover the JPEG2000 image-compression and decompression standard, a common API, and ActiveMIL 7.0 bundling. Matrox Imaging, Dorval, Quebec, H9P 2T4 Canada; (514) 685-2630.
Sensor goes color
The In-Sight 1000c self-contained machine-vision sensor verifies and sorts parts based on color. It can check heat-treatment marks on engine blocks, verify package colors, and detect colored wire and component colors, among others. The sensor can communicate with a color monitor, other In-Sight sensors and other PC-based factory automation devices over Ethernet networks, and PLCs on the factory floor via DeviceNet, ModBus, and ProfiBus. All vision color image-processing, analysis, and spreadsheet software tools are preinstalled. Accessories include LED lighting modules, an Ethernet panel PC monitor, a DeviceNet interface module, expansion I/O, cables, and lens kits. Cognex Corp., Natick, MA 01760; (508) 650-3000.
Imaging library adds tools
Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) 7.0 offers tools for image capture, processing, analysis, display, and archiving. It includes a Geometric Model Finder tool for geometric pattern recognition and can locate a model at any position, including angle, at any scale from 50% to %200. The Geometric Model Finder also incorporates a calibration method that transparently compensates for optical and perspective distortions and provides results in real-world coordinates. Other supported features cover the JPEG2000 image-compression and decompression standard, a common API, and ActiveMIL 7.0 bundling. Matrox Imaging, Dorval, Quebec, H9P 2T4 Canada; (514) 685-2630.
Microhead cameras do color The color microhead camera line consists of the GP-KS1000 DSP, the GP-KS162 DSP, and the GP-KS462 super micro module. All cameras come with optional 2-10-m cables. The KS1000 offers a 900,000-pixel CCD camera, 560 lines of resolution, 54-dB signal-to-noise ratio, 42 x 17-mm-diameter housing, and an 8-bit DSP. The KS162 provides a 1/2-in. CCD, 480 lines of resolution, 50-dB signal-to-noise ratio, digital 2H enhancer, and 3 lux at f/1.4. The KS462 features a detachable 30.3 x 6.7-mm-diameter housing, a 1/4-in. CCD, 480 lines of resolution, a 50-dB signal-to-noise ratio, an RGB DSP, and auto controls. Panasonic Vision Systems Group/OEM, Secaucus, NJ 07094; (888) 880-8474.
Kit provides CMOS imagers The Silicon Video 2112 and 2112C CMOS camera development kits provide developers with a CMOS camera, PCI interface board, 2-m cable, and off-the-shelf software. Contained in a 3 x 2 x 1.5-in. package that includes a C-mount adapter, the 2112 series offers a 2/3-in. array format and an active programmable array resolution of 1288 x 1032 pixels that allows subwindowing, subsampling, mirror and flip modes, and analog RGB balance. These functions run at a 16-MHz (10-bit) output. A programmable pixel clock and camera power are furnished by the PIXCI D2X PCI digital frame grabber board. Epix Inc., Buffalo Grove, IL 60089; (847) 465-1818.
CMOS imager detects x-rays Configured from three seamless photodiode arrays, the RadEye3 CMOS large-area x-ray imager provides a 2:3 aspect ratio with 48-µm pixels and a 90-mm-diagonal active sensing area. The 1024 x 1536-pixel image area is scanned through three parallel, independent outputs, each running at up to 2.5 MHz, which enables frame rates of up to 4.5 frames/s. The imager maintains a dynamic range of more than 14 bits (84 dB) and consumes 400 mW. All x-ray sensor scanning and control functions are integrated on-chip. A GdOS scintillator detects x-rays and other radiation ranging from 10 to 160 keV. Rad-icon Imaging, Santa Clara, CA 95054; (408) 486-0886.
Camera targets digital microscopy Photometrics CoolSnap monochrome imaging system for digital microscopy uses a cooled 1392 x 1040-pixel CCD to deliver images at 20 MHz. It includes a camera, PCI interface card, C-mount, and RSImage software. No external control unit or power supply is needed. The system provides 12-bit gray-scale images and an auxiliary video output. Built-in PVCAM compatibility allows the use of third-party software. The PCI interface accommodates a PC, Macintosh, or Linux platform. Roper Scientific Inc., Tucson, AZ 85706; (520) 889-9933.
Software suite enhances imaging Sapera 4.0 software library provides more than 300 image-acquisition, processing, and analysis functions and supports the company's Smart series of application-specific software libraries, such as Smart OCR, Smart Matrix, and Smart Align. Enhancement tools include 1-bit-binary image support, C++ classes, ActiveX controls, an application wizard, and a CamExpert camera configuration utility. The library uses Intel's MMX, SSE and SSE2 instruction sets, and Pentium 4 processor. It supports code developments such as Microsoft Visual C/C++ and Visual Basic, and Borland C++ Builder; runs under Windows NT 4.0/2000/NT 4.0 embedded; and interfaces to the company's line of frame grabbers. Coreco Imaging, St. Laurent, Quebec, H4T 1V8 Canada; (514) 333-1301.
Camera works in near-IR Using a 320 x 256 InGaAs focal-plane array, the Alpha NIR camera can detect near- and short-wavelength infrared wavebands from 900 to 1700 nm. Measuring 2.1 x 6.4 x 3.7 in. and weighing 12.4 oz, it is delivered as an imaging and analysis system with a National Instruments PCI-1422 LVDS digital image-acquisition board, interface cable, and LabVIEW virtual instrument software. The camera can acquire and display 12-bit digital image data, change sensor-head settings, calibrate the sensor head, and analyze data. Analysis tools include regions of interest, line profiles, and spot meters. Indigo Systems, Santa Barbara, CA 93111; (805) 964-9797.