As prices have dropped for vision sensors in recent years, the number of companies interested in applying the technology has increased. Suppliers have found that a key decision factor for many users is the availability of application-specific sensors. Inthese products, sensor designers have made the trade-off decisions to optimize important parameters at the expense of those that are less critical in a specific application. At the same time, users find these products easier to implement. Six of the newest vision sensors address requirements in industrial packaging and processing as well as military applications.
Banner Engineering PresencePLUS P4 BCR Vision SensorPrice: $1,995 ea, including the lens and lightinghttp://rbi.ims.ca/4912-500 Banner's P4 bar-code reader (BCR) targets advanced 2D and 1D bar codes as well as linear codes. Interfacing to machinery or factory network through a built-in 10/100 Ethernet connection or RS-232 serial input/outputs, the unit also has a built-in live-video output for real-time viewing and verifying failed inspection images without a PC. The unit has in-line (136.1-mm-long) and right-angle (124.5-mm-long) lens positions that measure only 66.8 mm wide. Using a three-step, "point-and-click" operation, the P4 has a built-in "Inspection Wizard," Teach mode that uses a single image for reference and multiple stored inspection programs. A remote Teach function trains the sensor to inspect for revised criteria without connecting to a PC or shutting down the production line.
Sensors Unlimited SU320KTX SWIR CameraPrice: Contact Sensors Unlimited at 609-520-0610http://rbi.ims.ca/4912-501 Using proprietary, high-sensitivity 320 × 240 pixel (40-µm-pitch) focal-plane array technology commercially available in its SU320MX cameras, Sensors Unlimited developed shortwave-infrared (SWIR) camera prototypes (SU320KTX) for the U.S. Army's Soldier Mobility and Rifle Targeting System (SMaRTS). Designed for potential use on a helmet during day or night operations, the miniature SWIR imager has high sensitivity and weighs 80g without lens, consuming less than 1.6W. The unit can be packaged as an imaging component for other systems. The camera has a custom lens with a 40-degree field of view and supports an RS-170-video-compatible output and a 12-bit digital-camera-link output.
Cognex 5400S Stainless-Steel Industrial Vision SensorPrice: Contact Cognex at 508-650-3000http://rbi.ims.ca/4912-502 The Cognex industrial-grade stainless-steel vision sensor meets the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) specifications for shock and vibration and achieves an IP68/NEMA 6P rating, allowing chemical washdown and submersion. With a built-in stainless-steel lens cover, the unit provides protection in harsh manufacturing environments without an additional enclosure. Target applications in the food, beverage, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries include sorting objects, detecting proper fill levels, inspecting labels, caps and safety seals, verifying label text, date and lot codes, and reading linear and 2D codes. The 5400S includes a library of vision software, built-in Ethernet communications, and In-Sight Explorer software to simplify application development and network administration.
Dalsa Piranha HS Camera SeriesPrice: Contact Dalsa at 519-886-6000http://rbi.ims.ca/4912-503 Designed for high speed and high sensitivity to light-starved applications, Dalsa's Piranha HS camera series targets applications such as flat-panel-display inspection, postal sorting, electronics manufacturing, semiconductor inspection, and Web inspection. Offered in both 4 and 8k models, the 8k Time Delay and Integration (TDI) camera has line rates up to 36 kHz (4k), 34 kHz (8k40), or 68 kHz (8k80). With ±50-µm sensor-alignment accuracy, the 8k80 camera has a throughput capability up to 640 MHz. The unit's responsivity is 100 times greater than traditional line-scan cameras. A Camera Link interface and several programmable functions simplify the integration of the sensor into existing systems.
Omron F500 Vision SensorPrice: Contact Omron at 800-556-6766http://rbi.ims.ca/4912-504 Combined inspection speed, precision, and storage capacity make Omron's F500 sensor ideal for inspecting small or complicated work pieces. The 1 million-pixel digital camera stores as many as 200 images in compact flash before batch transfer to permanent storage. The unit controls two processors and cameras to measure and communicate images to remote sites without reducing the inspection rate. The high-speed digital interface reduces video-signal noise for more accurate measurements. Using an office PC, Ethernet connection, and Vision Composer Net software, users can customize the vision sensor for a specific application as well as set up and monitor the operation. A live monitoring function simultaneously displays the images from several sensors in real time. To reduce start-up time, the unit contains Omron-developed preprogrammed macros.
Keyence CV-2100 Digital Machine Vision SystemPrice: Contact Keyence at 1-888-539-3623http://rbi.ims.ca/4912-505 Targeting ultra-high-speed processing of 20,000 parts/min, Keyence CV-2100 combines a high-performance image-processing engine, double-speed progressive camera, and partial image-capturing function to produce a minimum processing time of 3 msec (20,000 times/min). At a shutter speed of 1/20,000 sec with 12-line reading, the minimum processing time is 10 msec (6,000 parts/min) for one-screen interlaced reading. The CV-2100 achieves high accuracy and repeatability down to ±0.05 pixels, thanks to the combination of subpixel processing and digitalization of image data. Subpixel processing improves the display resolution to 1/1,000 pixel. To measure maximum and minimum outer diameters and detect burrs or flash, a trend-edge function scans a specified direction within a measurement area and calculates the minimum, maximum, and average position of each point.
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