Multi-camera option for vision system

To complement the M100/M200 range of Micro-Imagecheckers, Matsushita Electric Works has introduced a camera-switching unit that gives users the option of multi-camera operation.

To complement the M100/M200 range of Micro-Imagecheckers, Matsushita Electric Works has introduced a camera-switching unit that gives users the option of multi-camera operation.

For versatility, three modes of operation are available.

The camera-switching mode simply allows the user to change the image from one camera to another.

This facilitates, for example, the inspection of both the front and rear of a bottle to check for a labels' presence or position.

The unit's other two modes enable the user to split the screen either horizontally or vertically.

An important feature, this enables the Micro-Imagechecker to simultaneously process images from two separate cameras on just one screen.

This mode gives the operator the ability to examine two separate objects at once or inspect the same object in two different axes at the same time.

Both manual and remote operation is possible.

The camera-switching unit can give the benefit of decreased processing time and substantial savings over single camera vision systems as only one processor needs to be purchased when using multi-camera operation.

All this, combined with the ease of use of the M100/M200 Micro-Imagechecker system itself, means that a broad spectrum of production line checks, measurements and controls can be simply carried out employing just two CCD cameras, one processor with keypad and the switching unit itself.

A monitor is used to provide the visual image and connection to a Matsushita FP series PLC (where required for data processing, for example) is via RS 232.

The hand-held keypad may be used in conjunction with Matsushita's plug-in F-ROM applications modules which allow the system to be quickly configured via an on-screen menu.

The 512 x 480 pixel CCD cameras are extremely compact and will capture both stationary and fast moving objects on a production line.

A 32-bit RISC processor and 256 grey scale levels are used to process the information from the cameras in the industrialised control unit which measures a mere 200 x 95 x 75mm.

Both the M100 and the M200 (which is an ASIC boosted M100) can be designed into a production line from the start.

Alternatively, because of their small size and flexibility now still further enhanced by the addition of the camera-switching unit, these very versatile systems may be retrofitted into an existing production line.

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