Category: Tutorial

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Everything you need to know about USB3.1 vision cameras and the new cost effective IDS LE camera series

Industrial Imaging interfaces and camera sensors continue to become faster and more economical.  For the veterans in the industry, we’ve seen analog (RS-170), Fire-wire and USB2 interfaces phase in and and out as newer faster interfaces are developed.  We are now on the doorstep of several new interfaces, one being USB3.1

The consumer electronics market has given birth to this next generation with data rates up to 10 Gbit/s and power transfer of 100 watts.  


What benefits will USB3.1 provide?

USB3.1 opens up the doors for the new Sony Pregius and ON-Semiconductor Python image sensors and cameras.  The native sensors themselves are designed to run at much higher frame rates, but throttled back to fit within the USB3 bandwidth.  That being said, higher speed interfaces such as CameraLink and CoaXpress could be used, but comes with added cost and complexity.  

USB3.1 will open the doors to these sensors allowing them to run at their fully designed frame rates with ease of use.  

Additional power capabilities is also designed into USB3.1 ports providing 5 amps @ 20 volts.  We expect this may open the door to options which may include power for lighting and controllers. 


What connector and cables will be required?

USB type C plug connectors will be implemented onto the new cameras supporting USB3.1. In turn, cables will be needed that are Type C to Type A for industrial imaging applications.  

1stVision will have cables available later in 2016 to support this upcoming interface.  Stay tuned!  (See current USB3.0 cables including Active and Hybrid Active Optical USB3 cables)

What cameras are up and coming? 

IDS Imaging will debut their first USB3.1 camera in the fall of 2016 starting with engineering prototypes.  The focus will be on the new uEye LE series which will be small in size and be very cost effective with great sensors.  This has been designed ideally for OEM systems.

Camera features will include: 

  • USB3.1 interface with Type C connector
  • Various package options from full board level, board level with lens mounts to housed versions.  
  • Multiple I/O for trigger and flash
  • I2C Bus for controlling external devices
The first models will be the UI-3860LE with Sony STARVIS IMX290 rolling shutter providing 2MP (1936 x 1096) resolution at ~ 120 fps. This will be followed by the UI-3880LE using the Sony STARVIS IMX178 sensor providing 6 megapixel (3088 x 2076) resolution at up to 60 fps.  

Target applications are night surveillance & security, low light microscopy, machine vision, metrology, medical engineering and astronomy applications
 


What benefits do the Sony STARVIS image sensor provide? 

The STARVIS sensor is a back-illuminated pixel technology used in CMOS image sensors. It boasts extremely low light sensitivity with high picture quality in the visible light and near infrared light regions.  

See the key points of the Sony STARVIS Back-illuminated CMOS image sensors

With new releases coming on a regular basis, we know it can get confusing on what sensors are best for a given application.  1stVision has over 100 years of combined knowledge and can help you design in the best solution.  

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  
 
1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  

Ph:  978-474-0044info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

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Video Tutorial – How to use industrial cameras for high speed imaging from machine vision to event capture

 

CMOS industrial cameras have changed how we perceive “High Speed” imaging.  If we look back 5+ years ago, “High Speed” imaging pertained to specialized cameras for event capture which were relatively expensive.

CMOS image sensors used in standard industrial cameras today have opened up the door due to the ability to achieve up to 2000 frames per second with excellent image quality at prices starting < $500!

These new application areas range from sports analytics, process monitoring to event capture.  



This video tutorial addresses several topics when using standard CMOS cameras in high speed applications.  

Topics covered as follows: 

  • Application areas using the latest CMOS cameras.
  • Evolution of sensor technology from CCD to CMOS
  • Considerations in components used in high speed applications
  • Sensor and camera features supporting high speed imaging.
  • Higher speed interfaces on the horizon

Watch the video below: 





These cameras are also used extensively for high speed recording.  
1stVision has extensive knowledge in recording systems and can help you customize one for your application.  

1st Vision has extensive knowledge in industrial imaging and can help answer any questions.  We have over 100 years of combined knowledge and look forward to discussing your application.  Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  


Ph:  978-474-0044info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

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Learn about Thermal Imaging – Problems solved with Dalsa’s new Calibir camera!

Introducing the Teledyne Dalsa Calibir thermal imaging camera

The Calibir™ uncooled thermal imaging long wave infrared (LWIR) camera platform offers outstanding shutter-less imaging performance and great flexibility in a very compact package. With a frontal form factor of 29mm x 29mm the camera can be integrated in tight spaces for compact solutions. The microbolometer-based, ITAR free platform covers wavelengths from 8-14 µm and supports a variety of camera interfaces, lenses and state of the art on-board processing features.  This serves a wide range of today’s uncooled imaging applications with an architecture that offers more capabilities and possibilities for the future at an economical price.

What is Thermal Imaging and how does it work?



Long Wavelength infrared imaging detects infrared light in the 8-14um wavelength

region, which is invisible radiant energy that we experience as heat but can not see.  At temperatures above absolute zero (-275.15 deg. C), everything emits thermal radiation. The warmer an object, the more radiation it emits making warm objects stand out against cooler backgrounds.  

Long wavelength Infrared cameras are one of the more commonly used IR cameras.  These cameras are based on microbolometer focal plane arrays which converts infrared energy into an electronic signal which is processed and then produces an image.

An example to the right shows a false-color thermal image taken with a microbolometer camera.  The image shows hotter (redder) and cooler (bluer) areas where temperatures vary by 10 °C, indicating increased blood flow caused by inflammation in a medical application. 
As size, weight and cost decline and performance increases, an ever widening range of applications is opening up.
 
Application examples include:   
  • Medical Imaging  – Detect inflammation, cancer and other diseases
  • Surveillance, Defense & Security – Identify heat sources (humans)
  • Unmanned airborne and ground vehicles – Object avoidance, detection of wildlife
  • General Machine Vision – Detect features not visible to standard cameras.
As an example, the video below reveals the difference between hot and cold liquids poured on the ground; it also shows the heat signatures of a motorcycle’s engine and tire.

Benefits of the Calibir LWIR camera

Unprecedented Ease of use – Using Teledyne Dalsa’s established SDK and control tool (CamExpert), installation to image capture can be accomplished in minutes!  Connect and Go!   Watch the video below demonstrating how quickly you can start capturing images.




Size & Weight – With a 29 x 29 mm frontal form factor @ 30 grams (w/out lens), this is ideal for drones to designing into compact spaces.

Shutterless Operation   

The Calibir camera requires no mechanical shutter for calibration, meaning instant image output and no interruption for recalibration.  The image output of the Calibir camera remains stable across time and temperature range, freeing your application the the inconvenience, size, and additional complexity of failure prone mechanical shutters.  




Adaptive Contrast Enhancement 

The Calibir series features advanced image processing algorithms that adapt to the image content, optimizing contrast to show the finest details regardless of conditions or intra-scene variations.  With no intervention, the Calibir delivers high quality images reliably.  



Flexible Output options – Supports GigE Vision, RGMII/CPI and Analog RS170

Wide Range of Lens options – supports 11 different lenses ranging from 7.5 to 100 mm focal lengths, supplied and calibrated with the camera over an operating range of -40 to 60 deg. C ambient temperatures.

Full Specifications can be found HERE


UPDATE to this BLOG Sept 09, 2016 – Teledyne Dalsa released another video which shows radiometric capabilities which is coming by end of 2016 / Early 2017.  Additionally, the short video discusses and shows other industrial applications
1st Vision has extensive knowledge in industrial imaging and can help answer any questions.  We have over 100 years of combined knowledge and look forward to discussing your application.  

Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  

Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

Follow us on Social Media!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Vision/944658058935262?fref=ts           

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Advantages of Telecentric lenses in machine vision applications

Telecentric lenses are essential in eliminating distortion errors caused by standard lenses in machine vision applications.  


Telecentric lenses are defined by lenses only accepting incoming light ray bundles whose principal rays are parallel to the optical axis of the lens as seen in the diagram below

 




















Key advantages to a Telecentric lens are constant magnification, no perspective error and very low distortion

 









 



How do the advantages of telecentric lenses help in machine vision applications?  

Constant Magnification

Telecentric lenses can provide constant magnification, and not influenced by varying lens to object distances.  



Example: The image to the right shows 2 screws in which the 2nd screw is 10mm further away from screw 1 when viewed from the Telecentric lens in the setup.












Using a standard lens, screw #1 which is closer will appear to be larger














Using a Telecentric lens, the screws look the same size and not influenced by the lens to object distance.  

This is very helpful in applications to ensure accurate measurements negating any deviations from part placement.

Perspective Error

Standard lenses show significant perspective errors, whereas telecentric lenses are able to eliminate any perspective effects.  In cases where measurements are critical, using a telecentric lens is a must!




Low Distortion

Regular lenses have 1-2% distortion, whereas telecentric lenses have 0.1%





Regular lens will either have “Barrel” (left image) or “Pin cusion” distortion (right image) 






    Barrel Distortion                   Pin Cushion Distortion

In barrel distortion, image magnification decreases with distance from the optical axis. This is common in fish-eye lenses.  

In pincushion distortion, image magnification increases with the distance from the optical axis.  

Using telecentric lenses in machine vision applications will eliminate barrel and pin cusion distortion.  Low distortion is imperative where accuracy is required.  

How can it get any better!  – Use Collimated light!

Telecentric lenses provide a high level of accuracy, but when coupled with a collimated light source, edge definition is increased.

Diffused backlights can generate unwanted border effects and create a “fake” image of the edge of a part.  Collimated backlights allow only parallel rays to pass by objects.  This setup would be setup like the diagram below.  

   
The result is very crisp edge definition as seen in the images below.  The left image is using a standard backlight in which light “wraps” around the cap.  The right images use a collimated back light providing excellent edge definition.










 

Images courteously of Opto Engineering!1st Vision has extensive knowledge in industrial imaging and can help answer any questions.  We have over 100 years of combined knowledge and look forward to discussing your application.  Please do not hesitate to Contact us!  1st Vision can provide a complete solution including cameras, lenses, lighting and cables.  

Ph:  978-474-0044
info@1stvision.com
www.1stvision.com  

Follow us on Social Media!

    https://www.facebook.com/pages/1st-Vision/944658058935262?fref=ts