Six-axis micropositioner fits on palmtop
The M-810 electromechanical micropositioning system is a high-force six-axis hexapod with 5-kg load capacity, 10-cm diameter, 11.8-cm height, and sub-micron resolution. Its travel ranges reach 40 mm (linear) and 60° (rotation) at a high velocity of 10 mm/s. Controller’s virtual pivot point is freely definable. The parallel-kinematic motion system has one moving platform, no moving cables, increased stiffness, and reduced inertia. Limited space requires the use of new technologies for encoders, motors, and other integrated electronic components that are compatible with other PI hexapod controllers.
PI, Auburn, MA, USA, www.physikinstrumente.com
Smart cameras integrate DSP coprocessors
Powered by a 533-MHz PowerPC, the NI 1744 smart camera features a high-resolution image sensor that acquires images up to 1.3 Mpixels (1280 × 1024), with four times the resolution of previous models. For pattern matching, OCR, and code reading, the NI 1762 uses a 720-MHz Texas Instruments DSP coprocessor alongside the 533-MHz PowerPC, running algorithms up to four times faster with no changes to application software. The NI 1764 features the 1.3-Mpixel image sensor and 720-MHz Texas Instruments DSP coprocessor and is suited for high-speed manufacturing line applications that inspect large objects or locate and identify small codes or features. National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA, www.ni.com
Barcode scanners offer real-time 1200-Hz scanning
CLV620 and CLV630 barcode scanners are compact tools for a range of logistics applications, such as distribution warehouses, high-speed packaging, and parcel/postal operations. All scanners in the CLV 6XX family have both onboard serial and Ethernet communication versions. Other features include tracking packages with encoder input and an IP 65 enclosure rating. The CLV620 and CLV630 have processing capabilities (between 10–20X higher) that result in real-time 1200-Hz scanning. Products are easy to set up using the SOPAS engineering tool (SICK Open Portal for Applications and Systems), an intelligent software program that provides a universal platform for data management.
SICK, Minneapolis, MN, USA, www.sickusa.com
Progressive-scan cameras come in various resolutions
A new series of 12 progressive-scan CMOS cameras, which ship with a USB 2.0 connector, includes color and monochrome models with resolutions from 640 × 480 to 2048 × 1536 pixels. Robust industrial casing includes a C/CS lens mount and optional fully integrated ringlight system. Drivers for LabView, Halcon, DirectX, Twain, and WDM are included. All camera parameters and settings can be set via the shipped software, which includes drivers for Windows XP/Vista, the SDK IC Imaging Control, and IC Capture.
The Imaging Source Europe
Bremen, Germany
www.theimagingsource.com
Multisensor camera features freely positionable sensors
An FPGA camera can produce pixel-synchronous images from several positions, as required for 3-D reconstruction, for example. Four CMOS sensors with global shutter are connected to the camera by an LVDS data cable and can be freely positioned. Image data is coordinated on a FPGA module with at least 256 MBytes RAM. The multisensor camera light-section-, gray-code-, and phase-shift processes can be applied to moving objects. User-friendly functions include saving user configurations, access to the raw sensor data, and continuous adjustment of all sensor parameters.
VRmagic
Mannheim, Germany
www.vrmagic.com
FireWire camera is ultrasmall for confined industrial spaces
The small form factor (29 × 29 × 38 mm) of the new FireWire industrial and machine-vision cameras provides a lightweight housing (less than 65 g) and compact device. IEEE-1394a digital bus protocol and an external trigger streamline capture, digitization, and processing of color video signal. A CS/C-type lens mount offers flexibility for industrial C-mount or CS-mount lenses. FireWire port comes with industrial screw lock cable support to ensure stable camera connection. Electronic shutter operates at speeds from 1 µs to 65 s.
Unibrain
Athens, Greece
www.unibrain.com
Smart light has wash-down sensor housing
The Prox Light has one 5-W, high-current LED in a 30-mm barrel sensor housing. Housing is designed for use in food industry applications using 316 stainless steel, meets IP68 standards, and is corrosion resistant. The wash-down light is available in white, red, amber, blue, green cyan, UV, and IR output. It includes an integrated constant current driver with built-in strobe input with option for PNP or NPN trigger control. An external driver is not required to control the light. The integrated driver also includes variable light-intensity control; light can be controlled by an internal pot or a 0–10-VDC analog signal.
Smart Vision Lights
Muskegon, MI, USA
www.smartvisionlights.com
X-ray camera supplies 2-MHz readout
PI-MTE cameras, capable of up to 4-Mpixel resolution, offer twice the speed with 2-MHz readout. They are designed for applications including coherent x-ray diffraction, imaging, soft x-ray microscopy, and x-ray holography and are used at synchrotrons. The compact PI-MTE camera measures 4.57 × 2.35 × 3.15 in. (116 × 60 × 80 mm) and weighs 2.5 lb. The system includes ST-133 controller, WinX software, and in-vacuum electrical and cooling interfaces to permit uninterrupted operation inside a vacuum chamber. USB 2.0 allows the camera to be interfaced with a laptop. It is also available with a fiberoptic communication kit for long-distance operation up to 1000 m. TTL signals from the ST-133 controller and NI LabVIEW drivers simplify integration with other instruments.
Princeton Instruments
Trenton, NJ, USA
www.princetoninstruments.com
Machine-vision software upgrade adds additional controls/support
New features of the IMPACT Software Suite version 8.0 include the ability to drag and drop tools and controls, snap-to-grid alignment on the control panel canvas, and easy data linking between vision tools and controls. The IMPACT Vision Program Manager (VPM) incorporates tools such as OCR, blob analysis, circle gauge, circular pattern find, line find, sub-pixel gauging. The IMPACT Control Panel Manager (CPM) helps create custom control panels with multiple image displays, data charts, and real-time inspection results with password-protected panels, frames, and tabs. Multi-language support allows users to create a language resource file so that all user-interface text within the software can be displayed in the local language.
PPT Vision
Bloomington, MN, USA
www.pptvision.com
Barcode readers handle new USPS code
A new firmware release is available for handheld MAH200 and MAH300 series barcode readers, featuring a decoder that allows the barcode readers to handle the new USPS four-state barcode, also known as USPS OneCode Solution. In addition to reading these barcodes, the instruments include decoders for most linear and 2-D symbologies, with more than 40 decoders included in the unit. Connectivity is achieved with USB, PS/2, serial, or Bluetooth wireless interfaces. A high-capacity battery handle is available for extended operation without the need to recharge.
Pepperl+Fuchs
Twinsburg, OH, USA
www.pepperl-fuchs.com
Controllers operate at up to 100-m distance
Two universal maestro modules include the P800 master controller that interfaces with the encoders and the I/O, and the C12 module, a camera and light controller that is connected to the P800 with a maximum 100-m Cat5e cable. All timing, triggering, synchronization, sorting, and reject activations are completed by the P800. All devices are slaves to the P800 controller, including the host computer that performs the image processing. Image data is delivered directly to host with standard interfaces—GigE Vision, FireWire, etc.—with all timing dictated by the P800 and communicated to the host computer via Gigabit Ethernet. The C12 module powers and triggers any camera while providing synchronized configurable high-current pulses for LEDs or lasers.
LMI Technologies
Vancouver, BC, Canada
www.lmitechnologies.com
Users control GigE cameras’ zoom functions
PicSight Gigabit-Ethernet and smart cameras are now fitted with a fully integrated socket, enabling motorized lenses with C or CS mountings to be connected directly to them. Using three H-switches for the aperture, depth of field, or the focus, respectively, the operator is able to select either a positive or negative operating voltage, which can then correspond to two directions of movement (e.g., for zooming in and out, depending on the function required). Potentiometer positions of the three functions can be read by an ADC and evaluated by the software to give the user full control over the motorized zoom lens for auto-focus and auto-iris functions. This enables object-tracking systems, for example, to permit a work piece to be monitored sharply over a large distance range.
Leutron Vision
Konstanz, Germany
www.leutron.com
5-Mpixel camera images up to 17 frames/s
The pilot GigE camera series has added two new models based on Sony’s ICX625 CCD sensor. The pilot piA2400-17 cameras feature an image capture rate of up to 17 frames/s; with 2448 × 2050 pixels, the cameras deliver 5-Mpixel resolution. Applications include intelligent traffic systems, semiconductor and electronics inspection, LCD inspection, 3-D measurement, and others. All monochrome and color models feature a 29 × 44 × 98.5-mm housing with a GigE Vision-compliant interface, and are equipped with an RJ-45 Ethernet connector with screw-mount option. Standard cameras are equipped with a C-mount lens adapter. For space-critical applications, a 90° angled head option is available.
Basler Components
Ahrensburg, Germany
www.baslerweb.com
CCD imager can detect single-photon events
The LL-13MA is an all solid-state, low-light camera capable of viewing images in starlight (0.1 mlux) conditions with a 500:1 antiblooming mechanism. Instead of a traditional vacuum tube intensifier, the VGA-resolution CCD imager uses a CCD that has on-chip electron multiplication that precedes the CCD output amplifier. This configuration suffers no light coupling inefficiency or artifact problems inherent in most intensified low-light cameras. Multiplication occurs in a 400-stage CCD shift register, which can provide a gain of up to 1000:1 without increasing noise. The EMCCD technology can detect single-photon events. RS-170 analog output and RS-232 camera control interfaces are standard.
Aphotik
Roswell, GA, USA
www.aphotik.com
Design software comes in basic and advanced versions
Adaptive Vision Studio’s point-and-click interface does not require additional programming knowledge. More advanced users can develop custom filters using C++ code. Express is the lower-cost version aimed at engineers working on computer vision problems. It contains a library of most common image processing and analysis functions but does not include camera support; only images stored in files can be loaded and used within the software. Professional is the advanced version targeted to system integrators. In addition to Express, it includes GenICam camera support, the GUI Designer component, and more advanced image analysis functions: barcode identification, data matrix identification, OCR, and template matching.
Adaptive Vision
Bytom, Poland
www.adaptive-vision.com