PPT VISION announces a significant
breakthrough in vision system technology and capabilities with its just-released
IMPACT® M-Series embedded vision system. The new system
allows users to perform up to four unique inspections that can be initiated
independently, at different times or simultaneously using a single vision
processor. Significant cost savings can be achieved by eliminating the need to
purchase multiple systems for separate inspection/guidance programs, as well as
greatly reducing setup and networking time.
Unlike other smart cameras,
no PC is required for configuring and operating the system. The M-Series
embedded M40 processor eliminates the need for a separate computer for
programming and operation, and creates a straightforward, networked smart
camera vision system.
"We're not the first
manufacturer to use a single controller with multiple cameras, but it is unique
how we can use triggers to command the camera to start an inspection process. Other
manufacturers use a single trigger to start inspecting when a product is in
place, which works if all four cameras are focusing on a single part," says
Jeff Schmitz, marketing director at PPT Vision. "But it doesn't work if the
goal is to achieve the economies of multiple camera points in a machine process
triggering at different points."
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With
the new system, Schmitz says that individual asynchronous triggers can be set up
for each camera's inspection point where, in the past, an individual part has
been the focus of all of the cameras in the system. Four cameras tied to a
single controller can actually perform four different inspection applications. Existing
systems could run different applications and functions but were limited to
looking at a single part from different camera points because systems supported
only one trigger input.
"Each
camera offers an Ethernet communications interface which can be up to 100
meters away from the controller," says Schmitz. "Applications can be large
machines or different parts of the factory, and can be driven using the single
processor which expands the economies rather than multiple cameras focusing on
the same part at the same time."
With
40 different cameras, PPT Vision provides flexibility in the types of cameras
available in a system. Cameras on different M-Series platforms (100, 200 and
300), as well as the IMPACT A, T and C camera platforms can be mixed and
matched to provide the correct camera for the inspection point. Different
cameras can provide specific resolution, precision and/or speed that suits
individual inspection needs.
The M40 Processor utilizes
PPT VISION's universal IMPACT software, which works with the Microsoft
®
Windows
® XP operating system, and features direct connections to a
monitor, keyboard and mouse. Customers are empowered to program and operate the
IMPACT vision system directly from the M40 processor. The M40 Processor
utilizes the Windows XP operating system to simply transmit data and images,
connecting directly to databases, SCADA systems and other business system
software.
Manufacturing
industries ranging from electronics, pharmaceutical and medical devices to
consumer products and automotive can benefit from M-Series embedded vision
processing. In particular, the M-Series provides a solution for inspecting
dimensions, coplanarity, positioning and identification markings including both
human readable text labels and barcodes. It also excels at differentiating
parts, locating defects and detecting flaws on four sides of a part. Typical
applications include inspecting electronic connectors, correct part seating
during die stamping, and detection of fill level and cap position on bottles.
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