Posted to News on 29th Mar 2009, 21:31
High-speed GigE cameras suit 3D machine vision
Stemmer Imaging is now offering the C4 series of GigE 3D high-speed cameras from Automation Technology GmbH (AT). The AT C4 series will be exhibited on Stand 626 at VTX 2009 (25-26 March at teh NEC, Birmingham) and features what is claimed to be the fastest high-resolution 3D sensor in the world. With a resolution of 1280 x 1024 pixels it delivers more than 104million 3D points per second - which is twice that of previous models.
The C4-1280-GigE features a new smart camera architecture that offers an image memory capacity of up to 1Gb. In addition, the light sensitivity of the C4-1280-GigE has been much improved compared with previous models. With a profile frequency of up to 73kHz, the integrated C4 processor determines the height profile of measured surfaces with a resolution of 1/64 pixel, with no loss of speed.
Data is exchanged via a Gigabit Ethernet interface that complies with the GigE Vision standard, thereby making integration considerably easier. With the plug-and-play GenICam protocol, configuration is quick and simple.
This GigE variant of the AT camera is fully optimised for use with the Common Vision Blox GenICam drivers, allowing the sensor to be fully controlled from any CVB-based application. It achieves this without the use of camera-specific libraries that would otherwise compromise its hardware independence. Like all GigE Vision cameras supplied by Stemmer Imaging, each AT C4 camera also includes a free CVB CameraSuite licence.
Common Vision Blox features algorithms for capturing and comparing 3D objects and their surfaces developed by the Spanish company Aqsense. The Aqsense Shape Processor software enables dense 3D point clouds to be aligned and compared with their respective models. Based on the 'best-fit' approach, the patent-pending alignment procedure relies on a very fast and accurate technology, which, combined with an optimised comparison engine, operates on huge clouds of points in a fraction of a second. In practical terms, it compares the 3D image data of a good part - the 'golden template' - with the data from the test parts. The accuracy and processing speed of the algorithms mean that the tool can be used for in-line production processes.
Typical applications include:
- Inspection tasks (eg adhesive bead, welded seams, wood, tyres, seals, BGA, PCB, solder paste, etc)
- Inspection of components and surfaces
- Geometric inspection
- Robot control
- Rail measurement
- Foodstuff portioning
Follow the link for more information about the Automation Technology C4 smart high-speed 3D cameras.
