¿Qué es una Smart Camera?
Las Smart Cameras combinan la captura y la evaluación de imágenes en una sola carcasa. A menudo, la óptica y la iluminación no están integradas de forma fija y se pueden configurar individualmente. De este modo, se obtiene una variedad de aplicaciones comparable a la de un sistema de visión convencional basado en PC. Las cámaras inteligentes suelen tener un entorno de software que puede variar desde paquetes de software sencillos hasta paquetes de software extensos, comparables a programas de procesamiento de imágenes complejos.
How Does a Smart Camera Work?
Smart cameras are characterized by combining the recording and evaluation of images in a compact and robust housing. The built-in processor processes the recorded raw image data internally, resulting in a direct result output (e.g. good/bad part). Combined with powerful software, it can solve a wide range of tasks. The device is usually accessed via an Ethernet interface and the application is created via a graphical user interface. By combining intelligent hardware with powerful software, in some cases even with the option of individual programming, users receive a high-performance solution for their application. The smart camera as a complete solution makes setting up an image processing project much easier.
¿En qué se diferencian las Smart Cameras y los sensores de visión?
La distinción entre los sensores de visión y las Smart Cameras no siempre es clara, ya que la transición es fluida.
¿Qué es un sensor de visión?
Los sensores de visión son formas constructivas especialmente compactas cuyos sistemas, además de la iluminación, ya cuentan con una óptica adecuada. Por lo general, los sensores de visión tienen una resolución y una potencia de cálculo limitadas, y están adaptados de forma óptima a una aplicación determinada. El software también se puede configurar rápidamente sin necesidad de conocimientos especiales en el procesamiento de imágenes industrial. Cada vez se utilizan más redes neuronales previamente entrenadas que permiten al usuario clasificaciones sencillas de bueno/malo utilizando menos imágenes de referencia. Los campos de aplicación suelen limitarse a tareas sencillas de identificación, controles de presencia y aplicaciones de medición sencillas.When to Use C Mount Cameras and When to Use Auto-Focus Cameras?
The optics of a camera define the resulting visual field at a given working distance. For the majority of all industrial image processing applications, these parameters are fixed due to the known object size and installation situation. This is why C mount lenses are used here. The right lens is chosen based on the working distance, object size and sensor size. The vision calculator supports this.
If at least one of the basic optical parameters is variable, the focus must be adapted to this change as quickly as possible. Devices with auto-focus make it possible to learn different focus positions. When inspecting packages of different sizes due to the different working distances, for example, a camera with auto-focus is required.
If at least one of the basic optical parameters is variable, the focus must be adapted to this change as quickly as possible. Devices with auto-focus make it possible to learn different focus positions. When inspecting packages of different sizes due to the different working distances, for example, a camera with auto-focus is required.
Smart Cameras with C mount
Smart Cameras with auto-focus
How Does Auto-Focus Work?
Devices with auto-focus ensure high-resolution images even at changing distances by automatically adjusting their focus to selected image areas. A basic distinction is made between mechanical and software-based technology. Mechanical auto-focus includes technologies with motor, liquid lens or piezo auto-focus, while software differentiates between contrast and phase auto-focus.
Mechanical Function
Software-Based Functions
Which Technology Is Best for the Application? The Differences at a Glance
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| Low noise operation |
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Speed
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Accuracy
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Temperature independence
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Low noise operation
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What Is the Significance of Integrated Illumination?
Illumination is essential when using smart cameras and vision sensors. To compensate for weak or inhomogeneous ambient light, smart cameras and vision sensors with auto-focus are usually equipped with integrated illumination. The illumination modules are often exchangeable and can be changed directly in the field depending on the application. This is usually incident light, as integrated illumination cannot be variably aligned with the camera. To create the most homogeneous lighting situations possible without reflections, individual segments can be controlled separately on some models. This makes it possible to simulate different illumination angles, especially at short working distances, and thus ensures diffuse exposure or the extraction of specific features. External illumination technology is often used at greater working distances and in through-beam applications.
Which Resolution Fits Which Application?
0.4 megapixel (VGA)
Simple applications e.g. presence checks, etc.
1.6 megapixels
Assembly checks, optical character recognition, etc.
5 megapixels
Applications that require high accuracy, e.g. measurements, inspections, etc.
≥ 12 megapixels
Highest precision inspections
What Is an Image Chip?
The image chip (also known as the image sensor) is an electronic component that is sensitive to light. Incoming light (photons) is converted into an electrical charge by the photoelectric effect. Monochrome sensors are used primarily in industrial settings because they cause less data traffic. These are usually complementary metal oxide semiconductors, or CMOS sensors for short.
What Does the Size of an Image Chip Depend On?
The sensors for industrial image processing are available in different sizes depending on the resolution. The bigger, the better technically, but practicality is reduced, even for compact cameras with limited space. The market is tending toward smaller sensor sizes due to increasingly better manufacturing processes that minimize the disadvantages of smaller image chips. If the image chip is smaller, there is also less space for the individual pixels. The larger a single pixel, the more light it can absorb and the less light needs to be supplied to the application. Because exposure times are often short in image processing, e.g. in fast dynamic applications, particular attention must be paid to the balance between the number and size of pixels.When Are Color Image Chips Used?
A color camera, i.e. a camera with a color image chip, is required in very few cases. It is only advisable to work with color image chips when features need to be detected via small color differences. This is because monochrome sensors have significantly higher light sensitivity than color image chips and have a positive effect on process time due to the lower data traffic.
