Vision + Automation Products
Sensors are offered with pigtail connection
Compact S15 series photoelectric sensors are 40 mm in length and mount in standard M18-size round holes. The sensors are available with a standard cable connection or a pigtail connection that will greatly reduce wiring time. With IP69K protection, they withstand high-temperature and high-pressure wash-downs and have been designed to help prevent the formation of bacteria when used with appropriate wash-down methods for use in food and beverage applications. The S15 series is available in polarized retroreflective, through-beam, diffuse, and standard retroreflective models, with a choice of NPN or PNP outputs.
IDEC, Osaka, Japan, www.idec-ds.com
Vision software includes more than 120 tools
Impact 8.3 pairs with smart camera technology to provide usability and inspection capabilities for machine-vision tasks. The API works with the Microsoft ActiveX platform, allowing data to be seamlessly embedded in local control systems. Setup tools assist users in creating a vision inspection, guiding them through common vision tasks. Impact Vision Program Manager offers more than 120 tools. Impact Control Panel Manager includes more than 60 fully configurable controls.
PPT Vision, Bloomington, MN, USA,
www.pptvision.com
Imager reads DPM out of box
The MINI Hawk autofocus imager reads 2-D direct part marks (DPM) in any application. The imager fits into tight spaces and is lightweight for mounting into robotic applications. Available in high-speed and high-resolution configurations, it also can read symbols that are damaged, distorted, or otherwise challenging due to direct part marking. Proprietary X-Mode technology simplifies setup and deployment, and the EZ button enables the MINI Hawk to automatically adjust focal distance and set internal parameters for optimized symbol reading.
Microscan, Renton, WA, USA, www.microscan.com
CMOS cameras offer various throughputs
The new Phantom v710 CMOS-based camera offers throughput of more than 7 Gpixels/s, allowing the camera to record at 7530 frames/s at maximum resolution of 1280 × 800 pixels. At reduced resolutions, the camera can reach 1.4 million frames/s. The Phantom v210 entry-level model offers the same megapixel resolution as the Phantom v710 but with 2 Gpixel/s throughput with a maximum rate of more than 2000 frames/s at full resolution. At reduced resolution, the v210 can record at speeds up to 300,000 frames/s. Active pixel size for both models is 20 µm, and high-resolution timing on the v710 is better than 20 ns.
Vision Research,
Wayne, NJ, USA
www.visionresearch.com
USB camera is available in CMOS and CCD models
The USB uEye ME camera comes with a variety of CMOS and CCD sensors with resolutions from VGA to 5 Mpixel. The lockable USB and trigger/strobe connectors are designed for use in demanding environments. Some models can achieve up to 100 frames/s at an image size of 640 × 480 pixels. Most models are available as monochrome and color versions at the same price level. The cameras ship with an SDK for Windows and Linux, including drivers, demo programs, and source code in C++, C#, and VB. The SDK is 100% driver compatible with all uEye cameras.
IDS Imaging Development Systems
Obersulm, Germany
www.ids-imaging.de
SDK supports various development platforms
An enhanced software developer’s kit (SDK) for the SVCam GigE camera lines features new functionalities such as auto-tap balancing. At dual output sensors this feature automatically adjusts differences in intensity between the taps without any intervention by the user. Multicast and broadcast features provide image data to a variety of PCs for parallel processing. Borland Builder 6.0, MS Visual C++6.0 and 8.0, and Borland Delphi 7 are supported. A functional example program in source code allows the customer a fast and easy entry. An included viewer-software reduces the installation procedure of the SVCam cameras to plug-and-play.
SVS-VISTEK
Seefeld, Germany
www.svs-vistek.com
Electrodeless light source driven by solid-state RF amplifier
ELS-250 is a white light source with high lumen maintenance, useful lifetime of 10,000 hours, and CRI of Ra=94. It is based on the electrodeless technology driven by a solid-state radio-frequency (RF) amplifier to eliminate the primary degradation mechanism associated with HID lamps. Without electrodes in its design, the ELS-250 offers long life and reliability in technical lighting applications such as machine vision, surface inspection, fluorescence microscopy and others. The continuous spectrum and stable long-term output enable high-resolution imaging systems to pick up details more accurately.
Asahi Spectra U.S.A.
Torrance, CA, USA
www.asahi-spectra.com
Light source is spectrally programmable
The RS-5H digital light source has been developed to simplify testing and calibration of optical instruments. The high-power, color-tunable light source features 16-bit linear digital brightness control. It is spectrally programmable with simple commands; the color and brightness are digitally controlled and can be changed in milliseconds. The system can output saturated blue, green, and red. Brightness levels of thousands of lux can be achieved, depending on the configuration and customer requirements. It can also simulate different illuminants, such as A, C, D65, and E.
Gamma Scientific
San Diego, CA, USA
www.gamma-sci.com
Linear motor stages have 5-nm resolution
NanoTranslation ANT95-XY and ANT95-XY-H cross-roller-bearing, linear motor, dual-axis stages are the newest ANT series stages. They feature three-piece designs that allow travel in two dimensions (X and Y). The design provides a profile of 60 mm and compact footprint. The stages come with proprietary direct-drive motor technology, noncontact linear encoders, limits, an integrated cable management system, and two grades of accuracy. The direct-drive technology has no hysteresis or backlash, enabling 5-nm resolution, 50-nm repeatability, and 250-nm accuracy in both the X and Y dimensions. Both travel options (25 × 25 mm or 50 × 50 mm) feature the 60-mm profile height.
Aerotech
Pittsburgh, PA, USA
www.aerotech.com
New interfaces enhance vision software communication and configuration
EyeVision Release 2.4 is available with a revised SOAP standard interface that enables better data communication between the systems. SAP and Oracle interfaces allow access of evaluations anywhere in the organization at any time. The new release incorporates additional commands for color checking as well as the filter library, which includes morphological filters as well as many standard filters. Data transfer is achieved via XML file drag-and-drop. An intuitive configuration process allows tasks to be changed without interrupting production flow.
EVT
Karlsruhe, Germany
www.evt-web.com
PCIe boards include 8-Gbyte on-board RAM
New 14-bit @ 400 MSPS and 12-bit @ 500 MSPS PCIe data acquisition boards allow uninterrupted full-speed acquisition into host memory or to the 8 Gbytes of on-board RAM. When installed in any PCIe x16 or x8 slot, the ADC boards can continuously acquire wideband data, optionally process it in the on-board Virtex-5 FPGA, buffer it in the on-board RAM, and continuously stream data to host system RAM for immediate use, graphical display, or storage. A TTL selective recording input allows acquisition to be dynamically stopped and started, increasing effective memory depth by storing only needed data. Drivers, user software, and example user source code are supplied for 64-bit Linux and 32-bit and 64-bit Windows Vista/XP.
Ultraview
Orinda, CA, USA
www.ultraviewcorp.com
System’s accelerator processes 90 Gflops/s
The standalone image-processing system mvXCellBox is based on the PowerXCell processor. The system consists of an mvXCell-8i accelerator board with nine cores at 2.8 GHz, 4 Gbytes of RAM and two external Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. The accelerator board processes 90 Gflops/s (double precision) with energy efficiency of 0.78 Gflops/s per watt. The system offers one PCI Express x16, which can be used as a frame grabber or another interface board. Gigabit Ethernet interfaces can be used to connect GigE cameras such as the mvBlueCOUGAR series.
Matrix Vision
Oppenweiler, Germany
www.matrix-vision.de
Barcode reader’s liquid lens provides autofocus without moving parts
The DataMan 200 fixed-mount ID reader integrates liquid lens technology, which adjusts the camera’s focus by applying an electrical charge to fluid within the lens. The technology provides software-driven autofocus with no moving parts for simplified setup and line changeover. PoE connectivity allows for real-time data and image transfer, and easier integration with plant controllers and information networks. Lighting, camera, processor, and communications are integrated in a small, industrial-rated housing.
Cognex
Natick, MA, USA
www.cognex.com
Compact telecentric lenses remain stationary over time
A new line of TECHSPEC compact telecentric lenses feature a fixed iris and focus, making them suitable for implementation into factory floors and assembly lines, as they will remain stationary over time. The lenses are available with a 65-mm primary working distance with primary magnifications of 1x, 2x, 3x, and 4x. Lenses with a working distance of 110 mm are offered with primary magnifications of 0.5x, 0.75x, 1x, and 2x. All sizes provide a maximum sensor format of 2/3 in., distortion less than 0.2%, and telecentricity less than 0.2°. All accommodate a C-mount.
Edmund Optics
Barrington, NJ, USA
www.edmundoptics.com
Multispectral camera features embedded PC/104 computer
A multispectral imaging system with an integrated PC/104 computer system is based on the FD-1665, a three-CCD camera system that can be manufactured with any combination of narrowband or broadband filter coatings between 380 and 1000 nm. The CCDs can be simultaneously or sequentially triggered via software or hardware. The system accepts 14–1500-mm lenses in F-mount and T-mount styles, as well as tripod or pan/tilt mounted. The imager allows complex on-board processing of large volumes of multispectral data. It can process data locally in applications such as target detection, stream data to a central control center, or perform in a peer-to-peer configuration where the cameras interact with and cue each other, or parallel process each other’s data.
FluxData
Rochester, NY, USA
www.fluxdata.com
Lens has 6x optical telecentric zoom
The latest addition to a line of telecentric Machine Micro Lenses (MMLs), the lens has a working distance of 70.9 mm and is equipped with a 6x optical telecentric zoom for adjustable iris and focus. Available with an optional integrated illumination system, the lens covers the entire view of all types of objects with the high optical resolution needed for 5-Mpixel cameras. Applications include component recognition and automated visual inspection in semiconductor manufacturing, electronic equipment, electro-optical systems, machine-vision imaging systems, telecommunications, information technology (IT), bio-science, and laboratory automation.
Moritex
Tokyo, Japan
www.moritex.com
IP67 housings cool smart cameras
Gecko housings from autoVimation, which are designed especially for smart cameras from Vision Components, are available with a range of mounting accessories for assembling housings and cameras into complete image-processing systems. Accessories include modular mounting brackets for illumination and housing. Featuring adjustable joints, the mounting brackets allow optimal positioning of the illumination and camera housing on site and during installation. The brackets can be combined with virtually any standard illumination source. Available in three sizes for various lens lengths, the IP67 housings protect cameras from water, dust, and mechanical damage. They are designed to dissipate the heat generated by smart cameras.
Vision Components
Ettlingen, Germany
www.vision-components.com
Monochrome camera reaches 110 frames/s at full res
The monochrome DS1-D1312 Camera Link cameras are based on the newly developed, third-generation A1312 and A1312I CMOS imagers, optimized for applications in the visible as well as NIR (up to 1100 nm) spectra. The cameras deliver up to 110 frames/s at full resolution. Speed may be increased to thousands of frames per second by reducing ROI through horizontal and vertical windowing. Sensor resolution is 1312 × 1082 pixels, with 8 × 8-µm square pixels and greater than 60% fill factor. The sensors do not have a cover glass, making it possible to reduce the number of elements in the optical path.
Photonfocus
Lachen, Switzerland
www.photonfocus.com
GigE Vision camera captures UXGA images at 15 frames/s
Capable of capturing 1600 × 1200-pixel (UXGA) uncompressed monochrome images at 15 frames/s, the CSGU15BC18 is part of the GiantDragon GigE line of cameras. With features that include random shutter mode and scalable region of interest to run at faster frames per second, it is suited for high-speed electronics and LCD inspection, 3-D measurement, OCR, medical imaging, gauging, and intelligent transportation systems. The GigE Vision-compliant interface makes the camera virtually plug and play. It does not require a frame grabber and can be used with cable lengths up to 100 m using conventional Ethernet cabling. Its housing measures 44 × 29 × 70 mm. The camera ships with Toshiba Teli GCAM software developer’s kit (SDK), viewer, and driver.
Toshiba Teli
Irvine, CA, USA
www.toshiba-teli.com
Video splitter supports Camera Link Base configuration
The CLV-411 Camera Link video splitter interfaces one camera to up to four frame grabbers using standard Camera Link cables. This enables the use of multiple frame grabbers for applications requiring parallel or distributed processing or camera sharing, among other functions. The splitter incorporates high-speed 85-MHz interfaces and supports the Camera Link Base configuration. Medium configuration applications are supported using two CLV-411s. Multiple splitters may be cascaded for large parallel-processing systems.
Vivid Engineering
Shrewsbury, MA, USA
www.vividengineering.com
LED illuminator uses 50% less power than halogen
A new LED fiberoptic illuminator offers an alternative to halogen-based and metal-halide fiberoptic illuminators for medical and industrial lighting. The illuminator exceeds the brightness levels of 150-W halogen technology while using 50% less power. It uses a proprietary optical light engine designed to couple high-intensity white light into 3–10-mm fiberoptic bundles for applications including endoscopy, microscopy, and machine vision. In contrast to other light sources, the color temperature of the LED light does not change when the light is dimmed or increased.
PerkinElmer
Salem, MA, USA
http://optoelectronics.perkinelmer.com/ledsolutions
Adapter modules interface FPGAs to various I/Os
The NI FlexRIO product line has been expanded with adapter modules that provide engineers with application-specific I/O. Modules include a dual-channel, 100 MS/s, 14-bit input, 16-bit output baseband transceiver; a 3 GS/s, 8-bit digitizer for time-domain measurements and ultrawideband spectral analysis; a four-channel, 250 MS/s, 14-bit digitizer for applications requiring high speed and resolution; and a full-configuration Camera Link interface.
National Instruments
Austin, TX, USA
www.ni.com/flexrio
Smart camera lineup includes high-resolution sensor
A higher-resolution sensor has been added to the line of Matrox Iris GT smart cameras. The sensor on the Matrox Iris GT1900 is a 1600 × 1200-pixel @ 15 frames/s 1/1.8-in. monochrome CCD. Powered by an Intel 1.6-GHz Atom processor, it runs Windows CE 6.0 and features an integrated graphics controller with VGA output, 256-Mbyte DDR2 memory, and 1 Gbyte of flash memory.
Matrox Imaging
Montreal, QC, Canada
www.matrox.com/imaging