Vision 2012

The world's leading trade fair for machine vision

Active Silicon

Active Silicon (www.activesilicon.com) will be showcasing high-end CoaXPress and Camera Link frame grabbers, along with a range of camera interface modules for the Sony FCB block cameras, plus various custom embedded systems.

The FireBird series of CoaXPress frame grabbers is available in single, dual and quad variants with support for Windows 7 and Linux, 64- and 32-bit. The FireBird Camera Link series includes dual-Deca at 85MHz as well as quad base – and both using a single eight-lane Gen2 PCI Express slot.

Support for the Sony FCB block camera range has been expanded to include specific modules to support the Sony FCB SE600, EH6300 as well as the existing H11. Several custom-designed embedded vision systems will also be on display that have been integrated into various OEM medical, defence and surveillance applications.

Adimec

Adimec (www.adimec.com) will introduce 12 and 25 Megapixel CMOS cameras at the show. The cameras combine optimal speed and image quality providing exceptional performance. They will be demonstrated together with the TMX6-DHD, a new rugged full-HD outdoor camera with proprietary colour processing.

Adimec is the leading supplier of high-end cameras for machine vision, medical and outdoor imaging applications. The Adimec True Accurate Imaging technology forms the foundation for a broad range of camera products, and provides excellent precision and accuracy. The products are supported with customised and expert service to systems developers around the world.

Allied Vision Technologies

Allied Vision Technologies (www.alliedvisiontec.com) will debut more than 20 new camera models, including the new Mako series with GigE Vision and USB3 Vision interface.

Mako is a small industrial camera with a Gigabit Ethernet Interface (GigE Vision) and Power over Ethernet. The Mako will be AVT’s first camera  available with two digital interfaces: alongside GigE Vision, the new model will also be available with a USB3 Vision interface. Following AVT‘s active participation in the definition of this standard for the machine vision industry, the company now presents its first USB3 Vision camera model.

Beside the Mako, AVT will introduce a number of camera models in its Manta and Prosilica GT series featuring new high resolution multi-tap CCD sensors as well as CMOS sensors.

Alysium-Tech

Alysium-Tech (www.alysium-tech.com) will release new USB 3.0 cameras with CMOS sensors. The company, which offers extended length, industrial assembly solutions, will be displaying USB 3.0 passive assemblies to 10m in length.

Additional USB 3.0 related products will be high flex solutions, as well as turnkey solutions (more robust USB 3.0 horizontal and vertical receptacles). Alysium-Tech will also highlight various customised interconnect solutions, such as IP-54+/IP-67/IP-68 Gigabit Ethernet connections, tiny plug designs or high performance, reduced OD cabling.

As part of the new medical dimension of this year’s show, Alysium will also exhibit examples of its medical assemblies, such a ultrasound probe cables with coax elements to AWG46.

Aqsense

Aqsense (www.aqsense.com) will exhibit its new 3DExpress product, a 3D pre-processing software for machine vision applications that includes graphical assistance for the configuration and debugging of 3D laser acquisition systems.

Following the line of Aqsense’s tools for 3D inspection, 3DExpress is a programming-free yet flexible software package for fast and easy development of 3D applications. One of the main barriers to using 3D processing has typically been its complexity and the difficulties in calibration and configuration. 3DExpress helps overcome these difficulties by providing an easy-to-use graphic step-by-step system to acquire the signal coming from a source (2D or 3D camera), obtain its 3D representation, manipulate the point cloud, and export the results to be processed with standard 2D analysis tools.

Thanks to its fast core, based on SAL3D processing power, 3DExpress performs all the complex 3D tasks leaving to the user to carry out the final 2D processing. Placed between the sensor and the 2D analysis tool, 3DExpress acts like a server, taking images, processing them, and delivering the results so that they are seen as another frame grabber input.

Awaiba

Awaiba (www.awaiba.com) will exhibit its DR-24k-3.5 high performance digital line scan sensor that can capture high speed line scan images with 24,576 pixels at a line rate of up to 100kHz. With a pixel pitch of 3.5µm, the sensor makes up for an 86mm line length, supported by high-end 90mm line scan optics. The extension of the line length reduces the number of cameras necessary in display and PCB inspection tasks while resolution and throughput speed are increased.

Awaiba will also launch its NanEye_GS, which it claims is the world’s smallest global shutter image sensor. Due to improvements on the CMOS process and pixel architecture, Awaiba managed to shrink a global shutter pixel to only 3.6µm. The pixel is embedded in a 3mm side length image sensor, providing 100 images per second with a resolution of 640 x 640 images.

Also on display will be the NanEye_3D stereo vision module. Measuring 1 x 2mm the module brings stereo vision and trigonometric calculation of 3D data to the most constraint spaces, such as into robotic surgery tools or in endoscopes.

Basler

Basler (www.baslerweb.com) will present a wide selection of Ace area scan cameras featuring a USB 3.0 interface. These new cameras are compliant with the new USB3 Vision standard, which ensures that users will enjoy reliable data transmission, greatest possible flexibility in selecting a camera and long-term safeguarding of their investment.

Basler will start with CCD and CMOS models with resolutions from VGA to 5 Megapixels capturing up to 120fps. Compared to the previous cameras in the Ace series, Basler Ace USB 3.0 cameras are even more compact and can thus readily replace FireWire and USB 2.0 cameras of similar size and construction. In addition, they have technical advantages such as the broad bandwidth and easy plug-and-play connections made possible by USB 3.0, a step which will support the replacement trend. With the addition of the USB 3.0 cameras, Basler’s popular Ace series will grow to about 50 models. This means that users can select from numerous cameras with various resolutions, speeds and interfaces, all within the Ace family. All Basler Ace cameras, whether fitted with Gigabit Ethernet, Camera Link or the new USB 3.0 interface, provide exceptional image quality and outstanding value for money.

Also on show will be the Racer line scan camera series which had its premiere at last year’s show. The new models feature 6k, 8k, and 12k resolutions. With the new models, Basler covers the whole spectrum of standard line scan cameras and offers matching cameras for several different markets and application areas. Basler Racer cameras are available with either a Gigabit Ethernet or a Camera Link interface.

Baumer

Baumer (www.baumer.com) will highlight the VisiLine SD, a new series of GigE cameras, which combine a multitude of innovations that offer perfect image quality, simple integration and reliable long-term stability.

The new camera series comprises CCD and CMOS models with resolutions from VGA up to 4 Megapixels while acquiring up to 160fps. The improved integrated colour calibration ensures top-grade image quality standards. It permits virtually identical colour reproduction by all cameras of a model series and therefore simplifies especially applications with multiple, simultaneously operating cameras.

The CMOS models additionally feature FPN correction and integrated HDR. This eliminates sensor-related banding in the image and enables the acquisition of images with major brightness variations in one scene. Image evaluation is consequently simpler and more robust. This applies particularly to the inspection of homogeneous or reflecting surfaces. Since HDR image capturing is already performed in the camera with a single acquisition, there is no need for software provisions for offsetting multiple images. Higher frame rates can therefore be achieved so that, for example, fast processes can be inspected.

BitFlow

BitFlow (www.bitflow.com) will introduce its Cyton-CXP4, a four-channel frame grabber based on the CoaXPress (CXP) standard. With Gen 2.0 x8 PCI Express bus interface on its back-end, the Cyton-CXP4 facilitates video capture speeds of up to 6.25Gb/s in applications deploying 1-4 CXP-6 cameras. CXP also allows control commands, triggers and power to be sent to and from the cameras over the same coaxial cable, greatly reducing installation costs. Along with its four CXP connections, the Cyton-CXP4 contains a fifth CXP connector serving as a high-speed uplink capable of running the full 6.25Gb/s from the frame grabber to the camera.

The Cyton-CXP board features programmable ROI (region of interest) sub-windowing and is supported by the CamEd GUI camera file editing utility, enabling it to acquire fixed or variable size images. There are separate hardware I/O signals which can be connected to and from external sources. Each connected CXP camera has a full set of these signals that can be run independently.

Chromasens

Chromasens (http://chromasens.de) will showcase its truePixa multispectral camera. Twelve image channels are used to achieve space-resolved spectral image capturing at high speeds. Its compact configuration and high line frequency make the truePixa camera particularly well-suited as an in-line colour measuring system for quality control and process control.

The multi-channel line camera takes 12 images from different colour ranges on the object. It captures nine additional colour ranges on top of the conventional three colour separations of an RGB colour camera (red, green and blue). These 12 complete images which are continuously taken of the moving object then form the basis for the mathematical procedure for spectral reconstruction developed by Chromasens.

The 12 colour channels enable an extremely accurate reconstruction of the reflectivity spectrum for each image element. The result is a high-resolution spectral image of the entire object. The complete spectral data make it possible to represent the colour values in all colour spaces, regardless of the device being used.

The truePixa multispectral camera is ideal for print inspection or for applications like checking the authenticity of documents or material sorting.

Datapath

Datapath (www.datapath.co.uk) will be exhibiting its Vision capture card range for HD and SD video, targeting medical imaging and machine vision. Also on display will be the Datapath x4 and dL8 multi display products.

Datapath’s Vision range of capture cards support a variety of video modes including dual or single link DVI, 3G-SDI, HD-SDI, RGB, component YPbPr, composite video and S-Video. The range provides high performance DMA to system memory or direct to graphics memory with scatter gather, allowing for low latency fast frame rates in all applications.

The complete range of Datapath capture cards are supported by a generic Windows Vision application and command line interface also supporting DirectShow and RGBEasy SDK.

Datapath’s capture cards support 16 simultaneous streams which can be configured independently with scale factors, colour spaces and frame rate clients. The Datapath capture cards have timestamp support for capture synchronisation across inputs, cards and systems.

Euresys

Euresys (www.euresys.com) will demonstrate Grablink Full XR – eXtended Reach. This new Euresys Camera Link frame grabber features ECCO+. In many cases, ECCO+ allows the maximum length of the Camera Link cables used to be doubled, thus making the use of a repeater unnecessary.

This high-end acquisition board offers an outstanding acquisition solution for high-speed and high-resolution area-scan and line-scan applications such as printing, web and flat panel display inspection, 3D inspection and manufacturing inspection for fast production lines.

Euresys will also showcase at the show the powerful, robust and reliable Open eVision software tools suite as well as the new Picolo HD acquisition card for medical devices (for dental or image-guided surgery applications), laboratory or measuring microscopes and video surveillance equipment.

The Picolo HD brings to these applications the clarity of uncompressed, real-time, high-definition 1080p video. 

EVT Eye Vision Technology

EVT Eye Vision Technology (www.evt-web.com) will be showcasing its EyeWeb software for accessing image and evaluation results of EyeSpector cameras. From a web-server, a user can upload or retrieve data from any EyeSpector camera, either locally or worldwide. Besides the direct overview of image data, the user can access the status of inspection programs.

EVT’s EyeVision software will also be on display. The software provides one user interface for all hardware platforms and now has an extended 3D command set. In combination with the EyeScan LT 3D sensor, for instance, applications like bin-picking, 3D matching and robot guidance can be undertaken. The 2.6 release also features updates in error detection, OCR/OCV, code reading, pattern matching, colour and surface inspection, and contour tracing.

EVT will also show its alignment command, for measuring or inspecting straight line structures. EyeAlign is available for all hardware platforms, including vision sensors, embedded systems and PC systems.

Falcon Illumination

Falcon Illumination (www.falcon-lighting.de) will release multi-angle lighting known as FIBS at the Vision show in Stuttgart (6-8 November). The unit consists of an aluminium housing with cooling lines and is equipped with power-SMD-LEDs.

The LEDs are arranged in well-defined angles in a bending plate. The number of rows of LEDs depends on the size of the illumination. This varies depending on customer requirements.

Through these positions, the LEDs offer excellent illumination of objects to be scanned. The lighting is available in standard colours white, red, green and blue.

Framos

Framos (www.framos.eu) will be presenting Lumenera’s latest range of USB 3.0 cameras with 2 and 4 Megapixel high-speed CMOS sensors from Cmosis, the Giganetix camera series from Smartek Vision, which are compatible with GigE Vision, and feature many and varied trigger functions, and a modular industrial camera platform from Visiosens with a USB 3.0 interface. The Visiosens camera, coupled with CMOS sensors from Aptina, delivers 14fps at 5 Megapixels and 7.5fps at 10 Megapixels.

Panasonic will also exhibit alongside Framos. Panasonic's new block cameras, including the top-of-the-range model GP-MH310, feature native HD-resolution at 59fps (interlaced). The cameras combine functions such as automatic exposure, aperture, focus and white balance along with an analogue video and USB video output in an extremely compact body. Also on display will be miniature lenses from Sunex.

Hamamatsu Photonics

Hamamatsu Photonics (www.hamamatsu.eu) will be introducing the Orca-Flash4.0 sCMOS camera with high sensitivity, high resolution and fast readout.

Engineered around a new second-generation sCMOS detector, the company claims the camera delivers better signal-to-noise than EMCCDs, cooled CCDs and first-generation sCMOS cameras for low-level, fast fluorescence imaging.

This camera covers a wide range of imaging needs including super resolution microscopy, TIRF microscopy, live cell GFP, high-speed calcium ion imaging, FRET, real-time confocal microscopy and many more.

Also on show will be the latest products from Hamamatsu’s product ranges of X-ray cameras and sensors, mini spectrometer modules and image sensors.

IDS Imaging Development Systems

IDS Imaging Development Systems (www.ids-imaging.com) will highlight the USB 3 uEye CP camera series, which boasts three new, next generation sensors from e2v and Cmosis. In addition, IDS also premieres the new USB 2 uEye ML and new camera models with a WDR sensor (wide dynamic range) from NIT.

The USB uEye ML with USB 2.0 interface is robust, yet lightweight and compact due to its magnesium casing. Its lockable USB and Hirose connector ensure secure operation even in harsh industrial environments. The camera also offers a C/CS lens mount, two GPIOs, optically decoupled trigger and flash I/Os and is fitted with the high performance 1.3 Megapixel CMOS sensor from e2v.

Available in colour, mono and NIR versions, the camera is particularly suited to applications in ITS, quality control, microscopy, medical engineering or machine vision. The USB uEye ML provides a global shutter mode for distortion-free motion capture and an electronic rolling shutter mode for low read noise and improved dynamic range. The camera delivers 25fps at full resolution (1,280 x 1,024 pixel).

Also new will be uEye camera models fitted with a 1.3 Megapixel Global Shutter HDR sensor from New Imaging Technologies (NIT). Due to its logarithmic characteristic it easily adapts to a great variety of lighting conditions and offers crystal clear images even in high dynamic scenes of up to 140 db. As a result, the new camera models are ideal for a great range of new applications that require fast frame rates, high sensitivity and dynamic range.

IO Industries

IO Industries (www.ioindustries.com) will exhibit the latest additions to its product portfolio including six new Flare CoaXPress camera models, a 3G/HD-SDI camera model and a new CoaXPress high-speed video recording system.

The Flare CoaXPress cameras are available with 2 Megapixel or 4 Megapixel resolutions using colour, monochrome or enhanced NIR sensors from Cmosis. The camera's dual CXP-3 interface transmits 4 Megapixel images at 141fps or 2 Megapixel images at 283fps and the low power and low heat design is optimised to provide low noise images for high performance applications. Remote positioning of the camera is possible using coaxial cables up to 100m in length.

The DVR Express Core CoaXPress records uncompressed video to solid-state drives from one or two CoaXPress links. Also on display will be the Flare 2KSDI, a one-piece full HD camera with 3G/HD-SDI output, ideal for medical imaging, ITS and computer vision applications.

Isra Vision

Isra Vision (www.isravision.com) will demonstrate its new 3D machine vision product line that supports the 'plug and automate' technology. Users benefit from the fast, easy-to-use and extremely cost effective integration of vision automation into their in-line production. 3D machine vision is the key for increasing automation efficiency.

The new ready-to-use product line allows users to install and integrate these products in their systems and processes. 'Plug and automate' on the factory floor is the answer to the new challenges facing production managers, and does not require them to rely on any particular specialist.

Isra's range of products gives users complete freedom to choose: They can integrate and configure exactly what they need, be it only the software, the sensors or the complete package, mixed and matched depending on the application.

JAI

The JAI Group (www.jai.com) will introduce a new line of industrial CMOS cameras, as well as the first model in a new series of high fidelity CCD cameras.

The first three cameras of the new CMOS line include a 20 Megapixel model offering 30fps, a 2 Megapixel model running at 280fps, and a 5 Megapixel camera capable of 250fps at full resolution.

The cameras feature an assortment of innovations, such as four-channel analogue front-end gain control in some models and an eight-transistor (8T-CMOS) architecture in others, allowing for correlated-double-sampling (CDS) to improve sampling accuracy and reduce image noise. A choice of interfaces is provided including GigE Vision with Link Aggregation, Camera Link full, USB3, and CoaXpress.

Target applications for the cameras include aerial mapping, large area-of-interest (AOI) inspections, high volume production lines, advanced surveillance, and other applications benefitting from high detail at high frame rates.

In addition to the new CMOS cameras, JAI will also be introducing a CCD-based camera providing a 2.8 Megapixel resolution at 50fps. This camera features the latest Sony pixel technology to maximise sensitivity, uniformity, and NIR response, while minimising shutter leakage and readout noise. It represents the first in a new series of fidelity-driven cameras aimed at applications in life sciences, semiconductor inspection, robotics, microscopy, and other areas where maximum image quality is a key requirement.

JAI will also display new colour line scan cameras from TVI Vision, (TVI Vision became part of the JAI Group in April 2012).

Kappa Optronics

Kappa Optronics (www.kappa.de) will launch the Tauri2-HD 02150 SDI, one of the smallest and most robust HD-SDI cameras on the market. It comes with a 2/3-inch interline transfer CCD with progressive scan. The Tauri 2 camera can be switched to whatever format is needed, 1080i/25, 1080i/30, 1080p/25 or 1080p/30 (1080i50; 1080i60).

The high-resolution, uncompressed 1.5 Gigabit real-time data is delivered to the control monitor via the HD-SDI output. The single-cable connection to the monitor, which can cover distances of up to 100m, is qualified for drag chain use. The unique rugged design by Kappa guarantees robustness and durability even under rough operating conditions.

With its superb image quality, real-time data transfer, ruggedness and switchable Full HD format, the Tauri2-HD is the perfect solution for a wide range of industrial applications including automation, microscopy, endoscopy, handling, robotics, monitoring, and surveillance. And with its HD-SDI interface the Tauri 2 is also the perfect camera for stand-alone applications as it allows the use of Full HD flat screen monitors with Live View as control monitors in industrial applications.

Laser Components

Laser Components (www.lasercomponents.co.uk) will be showing a selection of products from its series of machine vision lasers, the MV series. This will include the Flexpoint MVmicroline, producing ultra-thin lines with a line width of up to 5µm. This makes the image processing laser module particularly suited for the measurement of very small objects. Different wavelengths in the blue and red spectral range are available at different output power levels.

The MVgiga series will also be on display, with an output power of 400mW at a typical wavelength of 638nm. This has been produced for industrial image processing and generates bright measurement lines at short exposure times with a camera allowing the image produced to be precisely analysed. In addition, the company will be exhibiting the MVmicro series, which was developed for stand-alone image capture tasks, producing a fine line with homogeneous power distribution, focused easily and without the use of other equipment.

LMI Technologies

LMI Technologies (www.lmi3D.com) will showcase the Gocator 1 series, which boasts a new series of displacement sensors as part of the innovative Gocator all-in-one 3D sensor. This new series offers the same web-based user interface for setup, measurement, and control, for which the Gocator 2 series of laser line profilers are known.

Gocator 1 series sensors use laser triangulation to perform high speed distance measurement at scan rates of 10-32kHz and are ideal for closed loop control in automation processes requiring non-contact displacement feedback or a differential thickness measurement. The new series joins the Gocator 2 series of laser line profilers to deliver a broader variety of 3D measurement solutions.

Lumenera

Lumenera (www.lumenera.com) will be highlighting a new product family that pairs Cmosis sensors with a USB 3.0 interface, following a period of intense research and development efforts. The company tackled multiple innovations, combining the highly anticipated USB 3.0 interface with high-speed global shutter CMOS sensors, all in a new compact package.

This new product line features six distinct colour, monochrome and NIR enhanced cameras based on the Cmosis CMV4000 (Lt425) and CMV2000 (Lt225) Megapixel sensors. Product highlights include a robust, sleek enclosure, compact design for integration, as well as industrial and scientific models. Built in FPGA-based image processing ensures the highest image quality without having to compromise on performance.

Matrix Vision

Matrix Vision (www.matrix-vision.de) will introduce a USB 3.0 camera, which will look like the successful, tiny CMOS mvBlueFox-IGC camera family. With more than 15 models, Matrix Vision offers one of the widest product ranges with resolutions from VGA (600fps), to full HD (100fps), up to 14 Mpixels (10fps). In addition to Aptina sensors, CMOS sensors from Cmosis and e2v will be used, including three sensors with outstanding near-infrared sensitivity. These sensors are suitable for fast or low-light applications. Despite the compact size, the cameras feature integrated memory and a large FPGA with many smart features for image processing tasks.

These fast cameras with high resolutions are enabled by the USB 3.0 SuperSpeed mode, which offers a bit rate of 5000 Mbit/s and therefore can handle these data rates. Furthermore, the USB 3.0 standard is especially well suited for multiple camera solutions by using bidirectional cables and by eliminating device polling. Consequently, USB 3.0 is a perfect alternative to FireWire.

Furthermore the company will show the mvBlueCougar, a small Dual GigE camera, and the mvBlueLynx-X, an intelligent smart camera with a lot of power per Watt and volume.

Matrox Imaging

Visitors to the Matrox Imaging (www.matroximaging.com) stand will see real-time capture and H.264 encoding of multiple HD video streams using the Matrox Imaging Library (MIL) running on a Matrox 4Sight GP imaging computer. The 4Sight GP is equipped with a third generation Intel Core processor and a Matrox Orion HD video capture and display board.

Another demo will be high-speed surface inspection using a 16k-pixel, 100kHz line rate, four links, CoaXpress line-scan camera interfaced to a Matrox Radient eV-CXP frame grabber board in a Matrox Supersight imaging computer. The Supersight is outfitted with multiple multicore CPU/GPU-based compute clusters running the Matrox Imaging Library (MIL).

Finally, multiple Matrox Iris GT smart cameras will be running, being monitored and controlled remotely from a single HMI application, which is included with the latest release of Matrox Design Assistant smart camera software.

Microscan

Microscan (www.microscan.com), a global technology leader in barcode, machine vision and lighting solutions will present its latest innovations at the show. Microscan proudly celebrates its 30-year history in machine vision and auto ID at the show. Major milestones in Microscan’s machine vision history include the invention of the first personal computer-based machine vision system and the industry standard 2D code, Data Matrix.

One of the centrepieces at the booth is the enhanced Vision Mini smart camera, which is a candidate to receive the Vision Award this year. Microscan’s AutoVision software can be teamed up with the Vision Mini as well as with Microscan’s new Vision Hawk industrial smart camera with 2 Megapixel C-mount option. Microscan will also display its Nerlite machine vision lighting solutions, including the new Pharmalite. 

MVTec Software

MVTec Software (www.halcon.com), manufacturer of standard software for machine vision, will present the new version 11 of Halcon. For machine vision users, Halcon 11 provides many innovations and enhancements.

As a unique feature, Halcon 11 offers sample-based identification (SBI). With this technology, thousands of trained objects can be recognised only by characteristic features like colour or texture, thereby eliminating the need to use bar codes or data codes for object identification purposes. Special features include: the ability to cope with many types of object; high robustness; high speed, even for a large number (e.g. thousands) of objects to be distinguished; and high usability even for non-expert users.

Furthermore, Halcon introduces new technologies and enhancements for 3D vision like '3D surface comparison', registration and triangulation of point clouds, and improved photometric stereo tools for superior 3D surface inspection capabilities.

Halcon 11 extends its data code reading functionality by supporting Aztec and Micro QR codes. Moreover, classification tasks are greatly simplified by using the automatic feature selection for classification. Furthermore, the usability of Halcon's integrated development environment (HDevelop) is improved thanks to new features like the Profiler Tool and a new OCR assistant.

The speed of Halcon 11 is significantly improved by 16 additional operators supported by GPU computing and various faster algorithms. On top, many new market- and user-orientated code examples as well as detailed documentation are included. HALCON 11 now supports the Mac OS X operating system making HALCONs technologies available to Apple users for the first time.

Optronis

Optronis (www.optronis.com) will be launching its 25 Megapixel high-speed camera with real-time connection. The 25 MP CoaXPress delivers a frame rate of 72 images per second at full resolution, thus improving on its predecessor’s performance by more than a third. The camera now also offers EMVA 1288 standard compliance.

The camera provides a high-performance tool for process analysis and fault detection for machine vision in industry. Its predecessor, which came onto the market at the start of the year, was already able to deliver 53 images per second at full resolution. With its 25 Megapixel CoaXPress camera now achieving 72 images per second, Optronis will supply the market with a top performing product with CoaXPress interface from November onward. When the resolution is reduced, the camera’s frame rate can be increased to a maximum of 1,688 images per second.

Optronis’ machine vision cameras support the GenIcam standard as well as Camera Link and CoaXPress. Standard industrial lenses are also supported, such as those with an M42 thread as well as market-based Nikon lenses.

Pleora Technologies

Pleora Technologies (www.pleora.com) will showcase an extended family of video interface options, offering GigE Vision over wireless. This new video interfacing option is built upon standard IT platforms, does not require a frame grabber, and is supported by a common software development kit.

Attendees at the show will be able to witness a live demonstration of a wireless-enabled GigE Vision camera. The demonstration will have images multicast from an infrared camera with a GigE Vision over wireless interface to a PC running Pleora’s eBUS SDK and to a monitor via a vDisplay HDI-Pro IP engine.

Pleora will also be exhibiting its GigE Vision over 10 GigE video interface, the iPort CL-Ten Dual Medium IP engine. A highlight from Vision 2011, the engine delivers video data from two Camera Link Medium cameras to PCs over 10 GigE links.

Point Grey

Point Grey (www.ptgrey.com) will show many popular existing FireWire, GigE Vision, and USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 products, as well as introduce and demonstrate two new camera lines: the cost-effective Blackfly and the high-performance Grasshopper3.

The Blackfly camera line combines Power over Ethernet and a host of unique features into a small GigE Vision camera, measuring 29 x 29 x 30mm. The camera includes a 32MB frame buffer, LED status indicators, and an on-camera image processing pipeline that provides colour interpolation, gamma, and lookup table functionality. The first available model uses a 1.3 Megapixel global shutter CMOS sensor capable of running at 60fps, and is competitively priced at just $395.

The new Grasshopper3 camera line combines the benefits of CCD with the affordability and data throughput of USB 3.0. The Grasshopper3's FPGA and frame buffer-based architecture provides optimal reliability, a rich set of features, and a full image processing pipeline. The first available model uses the new Sony ICX687 2.8 Megapixel CCD and will be capable of outputting full resolution 24-bit images at 25fps. The ICX687 sensor supports high definition (HD) 1080p30 imaging and uses Sony's EXview HAD CCD II technology to improve quantum efficiency, reduce smear, and increase sensitivity, including into the near infrared.

ProPhotonix

ProPhotonix (www.prophotonix.com) will launch several new products to its LED line scan illumination product line. ProPhotonix has expanded its LED offerings to include customer-requested upgrades and product line extensions to both its Cobra series and Lotus line lights.

The chip-on-board Cobra series of line scan illuminators includes Cobra Max, Cobra Slim and Cobra Flex, which all will receive performance enhancements. The extreme brightness Cobra Max will feature a new light engine that provides an increase of 100 per cent intensity on its white unit. The Cobra Slim has also been upgraded, now producing up to 100 per cent more intensity.

The Cobra Max and Cobra Slim offer this extreme intensity in a slim, compact and modular design ranging up to five metres. They are available in a wide range of wavelengths, from UV to visible to IR and their design allows for field adjustment of the lens to the ideal focusing distance for its respective application. Both products are offered with an optional strobing function and Ethernet control. Cobra Flex, designed for restricted spaces also will be available in higher intensity levels.

Lotus, a rugged, compact, and modular line light utilises the latest in LED technology and optics to produce a bright and uniform light. The standard model has been upgraded to produce 50 per cent greater intensity to a maximum of 188k Lux.

To address applications requiring higher intensity, two new cooling options are now available. The fan-cooled Lotus delivers over twice the intensity of the standard model, while the compact water-cooled version, which is ideal for harsh environments, delivers up to three times the intensity.  Both products will retain the popular rugged and compact exterior design.

Resolve Optics

Resolve Optics (www.resolveoptics.com) will have engineers on-hand to discuss with machine vision camera suppliers and system integrators the opportunity, through a custom lens design, to benefit from the full performance of their camera or sensor system.

Resolve Optics has built a strong international reputation for designing and producing quantities of application optimised lenses for machine vision applications. While off-the-shelf lenses may be suitable for some applications – Resolve Optics specialises in design and development of custom lenses and optical systems that meet the requirements of more demanding machine vision applications.

Drawing upon a highly experienced team of optical designers and engineers – Resolve Optics has been able to design and produce custom lenses optimised for large format sensors that offer greater resolution and large aperture lenses that make maximum use of available light. Resolve Optics has also worked with customers to produce specialist machine vision lenses that provide wide fields of view with little or no distortion, optical designs and coatings that are balanced to give best performance at a desired wavelength or waveband and compact lens designs where the target application is space limited.

Schott and Moritex

The international technology group Schott’s business unit Lighting and Imaging (www.schott.com/lightingimaging) and its Japanese subsidiary Moritex will be showcasing an automated needle inspection system for the medical equipment industry. It is well-suited to inspection and measurement of a variety of needle types and geometries. The key features of the inspection system are its special LED illumination, telecentric lens and unique software.

Also on show will be the vision unit miniMML, a telecentric inspection unit for machine vision, which has all essential components for image capture installed in its ultra-compact body. The miniMML consists of a telecentric lens system with two independent LED illuminators and a camera inside the 15mm low-profile body.

The new dome lighting product series MSDC will be on display. The MSDC series was developed to meet the requirements of the food, chemical and pharmaceutical packaging industries as well as increasingly demanding electronic component inspection applications. The newly adopted high-power LED triples the brightness of dome lighting compared to the companies’ conventional dome illumination MDML series, while ensuring a high standard of uniform diffused lighting without reflected glare of LED. The new product is well-suited for lighting objects with curved and/or glossy surfaces.

Finally, the LLS 3 LED light source will be shown. It offers longer lifespan, lower energy consumption and higher performance: The LLS 3 LED light source utilises a new high brightness, cool white LED light engine for considerably higher output than previous models, achieving 150W DDL halogen lamp levels in the same compact footprint.

Sill Optics

Sill Optics (www.silloptics.de) will be highlighting its Schwarzschild lenses for high-speed cameras in the UV, visible and infrared spectral range. They are suitable because of their large aperture, no chromatic aberrations and high mechanical stability. Unlike conventional lenses, Schwarzschild lenses include a primary and a secondary mirror, which are mounted stressless and mechanically stable. Based on this, a microscope lens with a high numerical aperture and therefore a high resolution can be realised. As the chromatic error of this lens is almost minimised, it can be used also for spectroscopic applications. Further application possibilities of this Schwarzschild lens are in the field of terahertz and medical technology. 

Sony Europe Image Sensing Solutions

Sony Europe’s Image Sensing Solutions division (www.image-sensing-solutions.eu) will show the XCL-C series of digital cameras, designed to simplify the switchover from analogue industrial camera networks.

The cameras use a Super HAD CCD dual channel sensor, deliver class-leading frame rates of up to 130fps at 1/3 type VGA, output video at up to 5 Megapixel resolution and integrate Sony’s new Sensitivity Mode functionality, which gives the ability to increase the sensitivity via the sensor’s firmware.

By using the same housing as its popular cubic (29 x 29 x 30mm) range of analogue cameras, Sony has enabled its customers to simply replace existing cameras and more easily access the benefits of switching to digital.

The Digital Cubic cameras will use the Camera Link transmission standard, with PoCL (power over Camera Link) v1.2 compliance. Five colour/black and white modules are available for sampling immediately and high volume shipping will begin in October.

The modules deliver 8, 10 or 12-bit digital output, enable normal, binning (b/w models) or partial scan readouts and come with multiple trigger modes, a flexible I/O management, full auto exposure and picture enhancement functions. Additionally, to reduce the image processing tact time the cameras all come with shading and defective pixel cancellation and internal temperature readouts.

Also on show will be the the new Sony XCLS900/C (9 Megapixel) and XCL-S600/C (6 Megapixel) cameras, which form part of the XCL-S series of Camera Link modules and are based on the latest Sony EXview HAD II CCD sensor. The high frame rate camera is being targeted at the medical, semiconductor, solar and ITS industries.

Teledyne Dalsa

Teledyne Dalsa (www.teledynedalsa.com) will feature a vast collection of next generation cameras, available in colour, including the Piranha4 multi-line scan camera series (1k to 8k pixel resolutions), Falcon2 high-performance area scan camera series (4 Megapixel to 12 Megapixel), and Genie TS GigE Vision camera series (VGA to 12 Megapixel).

The Piranha HS NIR 8K will be shown as the company’s newest TDI high sensitivity line scan camera with enhanced QE in the near-infrared from 700nm to 1,050nm. The Boa Pro with Sherlock inspection software now supports Profinet IO industry standard. In addition, the new Geva 300 and PL-USB board will make its first appearance at the show.

Finally, the company’s Icon user programmable camera series for OEMs will be exhibited, as well as the advanced image processor, the Xcelera CL-VX4, featuring Sapera APF user-programmable FPGA interface.

VRmagic

The German camera manufacturer VRmagic (www.vrmagic.com) will introduce an intelligent camera platform at the show. The camera possesses a 1GHz ARM Cortex-A8-RISC MPU with floating point unit (FPU) running Linux and a 750MHz C674x VLIW DSP with FPU, which acts as a coprocessor. The platform has 2GB DDR3-800 RAM and 16GB Flash on-board memory. Furthermore, the camera platform is characterised by a Gigabit Ethernet interface and a real-time clock.

The extended software portfolio ranges from open source software to image processing libraries of well-known manufacturers to a MONO compatible .NET interface. With this interface, applications developed on a PC can be copied to and used on a camera without the use of a cross compiler.

VRmagic will also present intelligent single-sensor cameras and USB single-sensor cameras with the MT9M021 1/3-inch sensor from Aptina. The sensor built in the VRmDC-16 and the VRmC-16 is equipped with a global shutter and delivers 45fps at full frame rate and 60fps at 720p. Also on show will be the intelligent frame grabber VRmDAVC-2, offering 300MHz ARM9 processor and a 600MHz DSP with 4,800 MIPs.

Xenics

Xenics (www.xenics.com) will introduce a GigE Vision/Camera Link/CoaXPress camera interface. Its electronics is common for all camera configurations, so virtually all kinds of sensors can be accommodated. The interface supports several of Xenics' pioneering product groups: Gobi (LWIR at a resolution of 640 x 480 or 384 x 280 pixels), Bobcat (SWIR, 640 x 512 or 320 x 256) and Lynx (line-scan SWIR, 1 x 512, 1 x 1,024 and 1 x 2,048).

With these enhanced interface provisions, Xenics opens up applications in machine vision, such as inspecting, identifying and measuring parts, pick-and-place and assembly, high-speed sorting, failure analysis, hot-spot detection, traffic control and medical applications. An advantage of Xenics' IR camera designs is that they cover the full wavelength realm from SWIR to LWIR including thermography.

The Xenics Bobcat-640, a compact TE1-cooled SWIR camera with on-board, user-configurable image processing, is geared to cost-sensitive, high-volume markets. It is compact at 55 x 55 x 85mm (GigE Vision model) or 55 x 55 x 67mm (Camera Link model), enabling easy integration while offering low noise and low dark current. Bobcat-640 targets industrial segments such as solar and process control, as well as scientific R&D, remote sensing and space.

Xenics' uncooled Lynx is a small high-speed SWIR line scan camera, offering GigE Vision and Camera Link interfaces for easy system integration. The camera features a line resolution of up to 2,048 pixels and offers various programmable configurations ranging from a high sensitivity mode to a high dynamic range mode. The camera is fully optimised for integration in advanced solutions in industrial image processing, medical, electronics, hyperspectral imaging, and spectroscopy.

The Xenics Cougar offers extreme SWIR imaging capabilities for demanding lowlight-level applications through its 77k liquid nitrogen cooled XFPA-1.7-640-LN2 GaAs detector featuring a high resolution of 640 x 512 pixels.

Z-Laser

Z-Laser (www.z-laser.com) will showcase its ZM12 laser module, which provides an M12 thread housing, a variety of wavelengths ranging from 635-980nm (up to 80mW power) and a variety of optics including lines, crosses, points, grids and more.

The ZM12 laser modules with 15mm diameter are suitable for applications with limited installation space such as small sensors and detector heads. They complete the established laser series, ZM18, with 20mm diameter and M18 thread.

Also on display will be the ZF fibre-coupled laser module, providing micro-lines less than 10µm 1/e², the Z3D-Control laser projector with stereo camera, and ZQ2 high-performance laser sources with power output up to 8W.