Compact cameras are reduced in size, but are equipped with the same specifications as larger-sized cameras. Standard and high-resolution (2MP) compact types are available in color or monochrome. Compact types are primarily selected to efficiently use limited installation space. Particularly in cases where machine vision is to be installed in the available space of an existing facility, it is beneficial to use compact cameras to fit in a limited area without changing the machinery.

Our PhD student, Afaf Almoabadi, participated in the Photonics North 2024 conference, held in Vancouver from May 28th to 30th. Afaf contributed to the conference by presenting a poster on her latest research.

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"Reconstructing real-space geometries of polyatomic molecules undergoing strong field laser-induced Coulomb explosion" Has been accepted for publication in the journal Physics Communications (part of the Nature group of journals)

Our research in collaboration with students, research associates and other researchers in Waterloo in Canada and beyond, focuses on understanding the way that intense laser radiation in extremely short femtosecond pulses* interacts with and modifies matter. * one femtosecond is one thousand million millionth of a second or 10 -15s.

LaboratoryforLaserEnergetics

Machine vision applications can be roughly divided into four categories—quantity/count inspections, foreign matter/defect inspections, dimension inspections, and position inspections—with each type used in a variety of industries. This section introduces various tips for selecting a camera that appropriately suits the purpose.

900nmlaser

The key  to understanding how these laser pulses have such a dramatic effect on matter is to consider the massive electric field which they create for a short time. This field is bigger than the one which binds electrons to an atom and so the interaction can rip matter apart. We are interested in understanding how this process happens, and how we can harness it to image matter and create matter with new useful properties.

The camera type is a key element to be selected for image processing to ensure stable inspection. The below quick reference chart provides a summary of the different camera types that are available. [Step 1] Select by appearance: how many pixels will satisfy the required accuracy? [Step 2] Select by transmission speed: select high-speed type when you need high-speed or more stable processing. [Step 3] Select by camera size: select a compact type when installation space is limited. [Step 4] Select by CCD type (color/monochrome): select a color camera when you want to recognize changes in hue.

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Enhance your inspection stability with our guide on selecting industrial machine vision cameras. Optimize the performance of your vision systems.

Your application requirements dictate the appropriate resolution. As a basic rule, you should choose a camera based on the size of the field of view and pixel resolution. The FOV size is based on the area you want to capture for inspection, and it can be manipulated by using different lenses. Pixel resolution refers to the ratio between the screen size and pixel count per dimensional axis, and it’s very application-dependent. Precise measurement applications require higher pixel resolution compared to presence-check applications, and this factor is usually calculated per application.

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One common question when selecting a camera type is whether to use a color or monochrome type. Generally speaking, if the differences at the sensing points are detected based on hue, the color cameras may have an advantage. The following shows an example of using color processing to detect a yellow stain on a white base, which is not easily detectable by a monochrome camera.

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The image sensor (CCD or CMOS) used in a vision camera is an aggregate of small pixels arranged in a grid. Standard type image sensors commonly have 310000 pixels (640 × 480) while high-resolution types can have anywhere from 2 to 21 megapixels. The application requirements will dictate the type of camera that is suitable. As a general rule, select a camera based on the size of the field of view and the pixel resolution. The size of the field of view is the area captured on an inspection target, which can be changed by the lens used. The pixel resolution means how many millimeters each pixel is equal to, and the relationship is expressed by the following equation. Pixel resolution = Size of field of view in the Y direction (mm) ÷ sensor pixel count in the Y direction For an example of pixel resolution, a 30 mm 1.18″ field of view in the Y direction will be used. The image sensor types that will be used in this example are the 310000-pixel standard model (Y = 480 pixels) and the general-purpose 2-megapixel high-resolution model (Y = 1200 pixels). [Pixel resolution of a 310000-pixel camera] = 30 mm 1.18″ / 480 pixels = 0.063 mm 0.002″/pixel [Pixel resolution of a 2-megapixel camera] = 30 mm 1.18″ / 1200 pixels = 0.025 mm 0.001″/pixel If the desired pixel resolution is known for the application, the same equation can be used to calculate the approximate field of view the camera will provide. Appearance inspection and dimension inspection are typical applications for machine vision. When performing pass/fail judgment, detection capability is considered for appearance inspections, and dimensional tolerance is considered for dimensional inspections. The following general principles can be applied as reference for calculation: Detection capability = 4 pixel area Dimensional tolerance = ±5 pixels Using the pixel resolution calculated above, the detection capability for appearance inspection can be obtained. [Detection capability of a 310000-pixel camera] = 0.063 mm 0.002″/pixel × 4 pixel area = 0.25 mm 0.01″ area [Detection capability of a 2-megapixel camera] = 0.025 mm 0.001″/pixel × 4 pixel area = 0.1 mm 0.004″ area Based on these calculations, if the inspection requires detection of foreign particles that are as small as 0.1 mm 0.004″ with a field of view of 30 mm 1.18″, a camera with a resolution of 2MP or more is needed.

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Industrial machine vision cameras differ significantly from typical network cameras. Network cameras are mostly used in residential and commercial settings for surveillance and security purposes. As such, they’re often capturing compressed images, which reduces the amount of data the system has to process and store, often impacting image quality. Industrial machine vision cameras work on a fundamentally different principle compared to standard cameras. They often rely on laser scanners, 3D-image capturing, blackbody radiation, and multispectral technologies for capturing images, and they’re capable of capturing images at extreme framerates. KEYENCE’s industrial and customizable vision systems, like the XG-X Series, allow for flexibility and control in image capturing, analysis, and processing.

You can select a camera with the optimal number of pixels by considering pixel resolution as the criteria for pass/fail judgment.

In addition we want to exploit it in order to image molecular processes on the fastest timescales, using the technique of Coulomb imaging. We can also use it to modify matter in order to generate nano particles and fabricate nano scale structures, as well as to explore new therapeutic possibilities.

Machine vision applications can be roughly divided into four categories—quantity/count inspections, foreign matter/defect inspections, dimension inspections, and position inspections—with each type used in a variety of industries. This section introduces various tips for selecting a camera that appropriately suits the purpose.

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A significant space-saving can be achieved by using a combination of a compact camera and a side view attachment in cases where a space of 215 mm 8.46″ cannot be provided. Installation space is only 45 mm 1.77″ (A + B).

* 1 during use CV-X400 Series and CV-X200 Series + CA-EC80HX / EC80L * 2 When using CV-X100 Series or CV-X200 Series + CA-EC80

In cases like this, when there is little difference in brightness, the contrast difference with the background is so slight that a monochrome camera is less likely to provide correct detection. Picture (2) shows that internally, the contrast between yellow and white is clearly detected with the color camera. Picture (3) shows a contrast image obtained by using the stain inspection tool. This shows that stable detection is available for actual inspections using color processing.

Thanks to their high adaptability and compatibility with various software and hardware systems, machine vision cameras have plenty to offer in terms of versatility and use across multiple applications. For example, the same camera used for inspecting part surfaces or checking for missing components can also be used for robotic guidance in the automotive industry. Likewise, thermal imaging cameras used in industrial baking can also be used in electronics diagnostics when checking for shorts and faults that produce excessive heat. A prime example of this is the VS Series, which can handle a considerable range of inspections and also has an industry first zoom function called ZoomTrax. The camera's ease of use and simple setup make it a valuable asset.

The factors for selecting an industrial machine vision camera depend on your application. If your machine vision system measures component dimensions and alignment, you should consider all the factors associated with laser scanners. However, if your manufacturing process requires precise temperature measurements, you should opt for an infrared camera. Generally, factors you want to consider are resolution, type of image sensor, image transfer speed, and camera size. More specific factors depend on the specific needs of your particular application. e.g., quality control machine vision cameras in electronics require higher precision than those used in simple presence/absence checks. KEYENCE’s range of machine vision cameras offers a variety of resolutions, image sensors, and transfer speeds to meet different demands. From the VS Series to the RB Series, each system and/or camera is designed to provide high-speed, high-resolution imaging for various industrial applications. They come in compact sizes, making them easy to integrate into existing production lines without taking up too much space.

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However, monochrome cameras do have some advantages over color. For dimension measurement using a backlight, as shown left, monochrome cameras are ideal as there is a large contrast change. Furthermore, since color cameras use a Bayer filter (where each pixel is dependent on the neighboring pixels to get the full color information), they are generally less accurate than monochrome cameras for dimensional type measurements using edges.

Cameras used in machine vision can have different image transfer speeds even when the pixel counts are the same. Using a 310000-pixel type as an example, standard models offer a transmission time of 16.0 ms while high-speed models can achieve a transmission time of 1.7 ms. Even higher speeds can be achieved via a partial capture function. High-speed cameras are not only effective for fast production lines, but they are advantageous for normal speed applications as there is more processing time available for image filtering and tools that can stabilize the inspection.

The femtosecond laser electric field is bigger than the one which binds electrons to an atom, and so the interaction can rip matter apart.

Selecting compact cameras based on the known required installation space can prevent unnecessary changes to the production machine.

Recently, Professor Joseph Sanderson was part of a delegation representing Canadian scientists associated with the Advanced Laser Light Source (ALLS) which visited the Extreme Laser Infrastructure (ELL) in Prague to discuss closer ties...

KEYENCE supports customers from the selection process to line operations with on-site operating instructions and after-sales support.

An industrial machine vision camera is designed to “see” and understand images like humans do. However, unlike typical machine vision cameras used for small businesses and shops, cameras for industrial applications are more robust and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. Additionally, industrial machine vision cameras can capture a higher number of images per second and send that data directly to the machine vision system for processing. These types of cameras comprise two scanning technologies: line scan (1D) and area scan (2D) cameras. The difference lies in how these capture images, making them suitable for different applications. KEYENCE’s vision systems, like the CV-X Series, are equipped with high-resolution area scan cameras capable of capturing detailed images at high speeds. These cameras are designed specifically for industrial use and can easily handle the demands of factories, ensuring quality and improved efficiency.