Bronze-level award honorees of our 2019 Innovators Awards Program are as follows (categories in parentheses):
Critical Link (Syracuse, NY, USA; www.criticallink.com): MitySOM-A10S Image Processing Board (Embedded vision). The MitySOM-A10S-DSC is a production-suitable image processing board developed around the Intel/Altera Arria 10 SoC with dual core ARM, up to 480KLE user-programmable FPGA fabric, and 12 high speed transceiver pairs. The board is commonly referred to as a System on Module (SOM) and features dual-side connectors for use in stack-through configurations.
iX Cameras (Rochford, Essex, UK; www.ix-cameras.com): i-SPEED high-speed camera (Cameras-specialty). The i-SPEED 5 Series is a mid-range, high-speed camera solution offering a custom sensor and sealed cooling system at a reasonable price. The i-SPEED 5 Series include three models: i-SPEED 508 (3,980 fps at 1920 x 1080), i-SPEED 510 (4,980 fps at 1920 x 1080), and i-SPEED 513 (6,382 fps at 1920 x 1080).
Newnex Technology Corp. (Santa Clara, CA, USA; www.newnex.com): FireNEX-10G, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Optical Repeater (Camera accessories/connectivity). FireNEX-10G is—according to Newnex—the world’s first USB 3.1 Gen 2 optical repeater that breaks the 1-meter length limit of USB 3.1 Gen 2 passive cable and provides an extension solution for 10Gbps SuperSpeed USB data transfer up to 300 meters.
CCS Inc. (Kyoto, Japan; www.ccs-grp.com): SWIR H.O.P. Technology – Novel Light Source for High-Power SWIR Illumination (Lighting, lenses, and optics). EFFILUX, a new member of the CCS Group, has adapted a technology from the laser world to develop the H.O.P. Technology (High Optical Power) LED SWIR source for machine vision applications. One “chip” of the H.O.P. technology emits a luminous flux comparable to a 50W halogen source.
Senko Advanced Components (Marlborough, MA, USA; www.senko.com): Varifocal LED Illuminator (Lighting, lenses, and optics). These lights feature patented Varifocal Illumination System (VIS) technology, which incorporates a continuously variable field of illumination angle over a wide range and are motorized for both remote and local control. The following illumination angles are offered: Continuous adjustment from 7° to 90° (Infrared), continuous adjustment from 6° to 70° (white lights).
Shenzhen Nanovision Corporation (Shenzhen, China; www.nanovision.cn): Mobile Glass Cover Inspection System (Vision systems). Shenzhen Nanovision Corporation (Nanovision) has developed a mobile glass cover appearance defect detection device (NANO-CGI-4070RC) utilizing the latest algorithms and a specialized light source and line scan camera. The device is currently capable of detecting white patches as well as silk screen covers and is compatible with 3D technology.
KAYA Instruments (Haifa, Israel; www.kayainstruments.com): Iron camera (Cameras, visible). KAYA’s Iron camera transfers images at 12 Gbp/s using the CoaXPress 2.0 interface, 12 Gbps over a Serial Digital Interface (SDI) or 10 Gbp/s over a fiber-optic interface. This allows 4096 x 2160 x 8-bit images to be captured at speeds of 93 fps by a host computer.
Cadence (San Jose, CA, USA; www.cadence.com): Tensilica Vision Q6 DSP and DNA 100 Processor IP (Embedded vision). Tensilica Vision DSPs and AI processors are an ideal pairing for vision pre-processing and AI processing. The Vision Q6 DSP IP features a processor pipeline and system architecture, enabling it to achieve 1.5GHz peak frequency at 16 nm for vision pre-processing while the DNA 100 processor IP for AI delivers high-end performance and power efficiency across a full range of compute from 0.5 TeraMAC (TMAC) to 100s of TMACs.
Cyth Systems (San Diego, CA, USA; www.cyth.com): Neural Vision (Software). Neural Vision is a machine vision platform at the forefront of deep learning and artificial intelligence with abilities applied to the industrial inspection space. The software offers a single cloud-based user Interface to allow anyone secure access to their images and the management of their solutions.
Photron (Tokyo, Japan; www.photron.com): Photron FASTCAM Nova High-Speed Camera System (Cameras, specialty). The FASTCAM Nova features unique CMOS image sensor technologies and is available in three different models. The NOVA offers 12-bit image recording rates up to 12,800 frames per second (fps) at megapixel image resolution, and shutter speeds to 0.2µs. Recording rates to 1,000,000 fps are available at reduced image resolutions.
Raptor Photonics (Larne, UK; www.raptorphotonics.com): OWL 1280 (Cameras, specialty). Featuring a spectral response of 0.4 to 1.7 µm, the OWL 1280 visible-SWIR camera is based on a cooled 1280 x 1024 InGaAs sensor from SCD that has a 10 µm pixel size and can reach a frame rate of up to 60 fps. The camera also offers 2 x 2 binning to become 640 x 512, 20 µm pitch and a 14-bit Camera Link interface.
TPL Vision (La Chevrolière; France; www.tpl-vision.com): JustAddFeatures (Lighting, lenses, and optics). TPL Vision’s new JustAddFeatures range is an external illumination system with patented optical trigger technology which couples its optical sensors to the smart camera/reader’s embedded LEDs to drive the desired illumination output for use in inspection applications. Each optical sensor is independent, meaning a certain camera input can be programmed (via the “Teach” button) to trigger the desired external illumination output.
AT – Automation Technology (Bad Oldesloe, Germany; www.automationtechnology.de/cms/en): IRSX Series (Cameras, non-visible). IRSX smart infrared cameras—which are designed for industrial use—are based on an uncooled microbolometer detector available in 336 x 256 (IRS336) or 640 x 512 (IRS640) formats. Both models feature a 7.5 to 13 µm spectral range, a 17 µm pixel size, and IP67 full-metal housing, as well as a computing unit, a web-based configuration interface and result display while offering GigE Vision and OPC-UA compliance.
VISIO NERF (Nuaillé, France; www.visionerf.com):cirrus3D conveyor (Cameras, 3D). The cirrus3D conveyor is a 3D sensor enabling the inspection of moving parts on a conveyor. The plug-and-play system —which features an integrated computer—offers an accuracy of up to 0.02 in, working volumes of up to 5.25 ft. width, and is compatible with all major robot brands in tracking mode.
ProPhotonix (Salem, NH, USA; www.prophotonix.com): PROdigii Digital Laser Module (Image sensors). PROdigii has been designed to deliver wavelength stability and thermal management in even the most challenging operating environments. The RS485 intelligent control and monitoring interface provides ease of integration and in-service system function monitoring. The new PROdigii digital laser is available in a range of wavelengths from 405nm to 850nm with user-defined output power profiles at up to 500mW continuous wave or 1W pulsed.
LUCID Vision Labs (Richmond, BC, Canada; www.thinklucid.com): Atlas camera series (Cameras, visible). Atlas features 5GBase-T, an Ethernet interface standard that provides up to 5 Gbit/s (over 600MB/s) while supporting power over Ethernet (PoE). When each Atlas camera is manufactured, it undergoes an Active Sensor Alignment process developed by Lucid, which minimizes variations and ensures image quality is uniform and consistent between all units produced. The cameras are available with CMOS image sensors ranging in size from 5 to 31.4 MPixels.
Tordivel (Oslo, Norway; www.tordivel.no): Scorpion 3D Venom Camera (Cameras, 3D). The global shutter Scorpion 3D Venom Camera is designed to be used in cutting edge 3D stereo vision systems. It excels in short-to-medium size baseline using a single color or monochrome camera with resolution from VGA to 29 MP. Two virtual 3D cameras are created by a clever mirror design focused at a user specified working distance.
Teledyne Imaging (Waterloo, ON, Canada; www.teledyneimaging.com): Xtium2 frame grabber (Frame grabbers and boards). Xtium2 CLHS boards feature high-efficiency data-transfer protocol (97%). When acquiring data at rates of about 8 GBytes/sec, processing and storing this data poses a challenge. Xtium2 boards offer build-in ability to re-transmit in real-time incoming data to multiple PCs for processing and storage. As the incoming data is transferred un-altered, each PC is able to treat it as needed without effecting other PCs.
Teledyne Imaging (Waterloo, ON, Canada; www.teledyneimaging.com): Genie Nano 5GigE (Cameras, visible). Genie Nano 5GigE is a 5 Gigabit (5Gbps), GigE Vision area camera with frame rates equivalent to 985MB/sec with TurboDrive for fast, high resolution imaging over long cable distances. The inclusion of TurboDrive also means that the cameras can operate at data rates matching that of 10Gbps GigE Vision, yet they have none of the heat dissipation requirements associated with that technology.
Teledyne Imaging (Waterloo, ON, Canada; www.teledyneimaging.com): Calibir DXM640 (Cameras, non-visible). The Calibir DXM640 uncooled long wave infrared camera offers shutterless imaging in a frontal form factor of 29mm x 32mm, the camera can be integrated in tight spaces for compact solutions. The microbolometer-based platform covers wavelengths from 8-14 µm and offers a variety of lenses. With VGA resolution, standard GigE interface, and on-board processing features, the cameras serve a wide range of uncooled industrial imaging applications.
TST Engineering & Vision (Sintra, Portugal; www.tstvision.com): TST Straw Inspection (Vision systems). TST Engineering & Vision developed TST Straw Inspection (TST SI): an advanced artificial vision system that inspects several types of defects in flexible drinking straws, at high-speed. The system can inspect up to 100,000 units per hour. At these production speeds, the solution inspects 28 units per second. In practice, the image acquisition, image processing, and decision takes less than 40ms.
Teledyne Imaging (Waterloo, ON, Canada; www.teledyneimaging.com): Z-Trak (Cameras, 3D). Z-Trak 3D laser profilers offer a wide selection of measurement ranges that span from 10mm to 1000mm in combination of red and blue laser in various power output configurations with industry standard GenICam output data output formats. Z-Trak comes bundled with field proven Teledyne Imaging's Sapera Processing and Sherlock 8.0 3D options.
Next page: Silver-level honorees
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About the Author
James Carroll
Former VSD Editor James Carroll joined the team 2013. Carroll covered machine vision and imaging from numerous angles, including application stories, industry news, market updates, and new products. In addition to writing and editing articles, Carroll managed the Innovators Awards program and webcasts.