February 2021

THE GERMANMACHINE vision specialist Chromasens has launched its first shortwave infrared (SWIR) linescan camera, capable of picking out defects in the 950–1,700nm spectral range that are invisible to the human eye. For example, the allPixa SWIR camera can detect fill levels in non- transparent containers, sense water and fat in foods, identify chemicals and monitor moisture. The low-noise camera can also help to sort items on fast-moving conveyors, to inspect packaging, and to implement quality control. The camera is based on an uncooled 1K InGaAs sensor with 12.5 x 12.5μm pixels and a 1024 x 1 resolution, housed in a tough IP40 enclosure. It is available with either GenICam-compliant GigE Vision or CameraLink interfaces for fast data transfer of 12-bit images at speeds of up to 40kHz (40,000 lines/s). A C-mount lens interface allows users to choose from many off-the- shelf lenses. A built-in FPGA can be customised to pre-process data. www.chromasens.com COGNEXHAS announced a“breakthrough” embedded vision systemwhich, it claims, makes 3D inspections as easy to perform as 2D. The In-Sight 3D- L4000 camera uses a 3D laser displacement technology that allows users to perform a variety on inspection tasks on production lines quickly, accurately and cost-effectively. “Until now, 3D has been too expensive and complicated to solve inspection applications for most customers,”says John Keating, Cognex’s 3D business manager.“The In-Sight 3D-L4000 breaks previous barriers by providing a massive suite of true 3D vision tools and making them as easy to use as the industry-leading In-Sight 2D vision tools.” The camera combines patented speckle-free blue laser optics with a wide range of 3D vision tools and an intuitive spreadsheet interface. It captures and processes 3D images for inline inspection, guidance and gauging applications. Cognex says that it is more accurate than traditional systems, expanding the types of inspections that can be performed. Moreover, because the inspections are in 3D, users can immediately experience how the vision tools operate on the actual part. The new camera provides traditional 3D measurement tools such as plane and height finding. It also comes with a set of 3D vision tools, designed from scratch to perform inspections in true 3D. The spreadsheet interface sets up and runs applications quickly and easily without needing any programming or external processing. It is claimed to simplify application development and to streamline factory integration. It also allows 2D and 3D vision tools to be combined in the same application, leading to faster deployments. The new camera is available with three factory- calibrated fields-of-view and is suitable for applications in industries including food and beverage, packaging, automotive and electronics. www.cognex.com/en-gb/In-Sight3D TECHNOLOGY n n Machine vision systemmakes 3D inspections as easy as 2D Shortwave camera detects defects that the eye cannot see Cognex claims that is new 3D vision system is as easy to use as 2D systems