Motorized zoom lens and vision system assist in underwater welding project

In order to improve the deep sea welding capability of its systems, a manufacturer of remotely operated vehicles utilized a miniature motorized zoom lens from Resolve Optics for its video camera.

The company, which is not named in the case study, develops ROV systems which can perform underwater welding functions to secure the integrity of pipes and other marine structures. With ROVs, a task that was previously carried out by divers is replaced with a machine, providing a safer option. In addition, ROVs have no depth time limitations and are able to entire smaller spaces or contaminated water. But with the ROV comes the need for a vision system capable of locating the area that requires welding.

To fill this need, the ROV manufacturer chose the adapted Model 207 from Resolve Optics—which features motorized zoom, focus, and iris control—for its video cameras. Model 207 lenses are designed for use with single chip 1/2" and 1/3” CCD image sensor format cameras and feature a focal length range of 6 – 18 mm and an aperture of f/2.8 to f/16. In addition, the lenses feature a focus range of 35 mm to infinity and are designed for use in the spectral waveband from 400 to 700 nm.

At 50 x 34 x 31 mm, the stand-alone zoom lens—along with its focus ability—enables the underwater ROVs to get closer to the welding head and allows the operator to monitor the weld as it happens without the camera flaring out. In addition to this underwater application, the lenses are suitable for use in broadcast, CCTV, and machine vision applications.

View the case study.

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