Toshiba Cameras Capture HD Images In Space

Eight of Toshiba Imaging's ultra-compact IK-HR1S high-definition cameras were recently used to film a 60-second commercial of a living-room chair as it was carried into space by a helium balloon. The balloon flights were launched from a Nevada desert and ascended to 98,268ft (18.6miles) altitude before breaking apart and falling back to earth.

The IK-HR1S cameras' compact size (1.75in x 1.75in x 3in) and the HD-SDI video output capability with switchable 1080i/720p scanning options made them suitable for this project. The custom-built camera rigging had Toshiba's miniature HD cameras attached to the frame. The lightweight apparatus, with a full-sized model chair made from biodegradable balsa wood, was less than 4lb.

Also attached to the rigging frame were four GPS systems to record altitude (accuracy was within 4m), longitude and latitude, and to monitor, via a computer satellite system, the location of the camera rig once it had fallen back to earth. The high-definition footage captures the space chair from launch to upper atmosphere, where the space rig reached the low pressure/temperature at the edge of space, and the helium balloon expanded (from its original 8ft diameter to more than 24ft) before shattering.

Stemmer Offers Falcon's HG Series Of Cameras

Stemmer Imaging is now offering Dalsa's new Falcon VGA300 HG, 1M120 HG and 1.4M100 HG cameras. These high-speed cameras feature high-quality Dalsa global shutter CMOS image sensors for applications where the imaging of fast-moving objects without smear or distortion is required. This includes electronics manufacturing, semiconductor inspection and industrial metrology (gauging).

The Falcon HG camera series meets the needs of the machine vision industry by providing good sensitivity and fast frame rates. The VGA300 HG is a monochrome camera delivering 300fps, while the 1M120 HG offers 1-megapixel resolution with 120fps and the 1.4M100 HG delivers 1.4-megapixel resolution with 100fps.

In addition to the HG models optimised for high sensitivity, Dalsa also offers the Falcon 1.4M100 XDR, a 1.4-megapixel camera delivering 100fps and optimised for a high dynamic range. The new Falcon cameras feature CMOS technology for a lower power consumption and support Power over Camera Link (PoCL), removing the need for a separate power cable and reducing the system cost and cabling complexity.

The cameras are fully programmable and incorporate exposure control, gain and offset adjustment and flat-field correction to optimise system performance. Falcon cameras are supplied in compact 44 x 44 x 44mm housings with mounting options.

Flir Cameras Assist Chubb In Fault Detection

Chubb has added two Flir P-Series infrared cameras to its range of inspection equipment for electrical and mechanical assets.

The Flir cameras allow IR services to be provided across all industry sectors, from municipal, medical and leisure establishments to commercial enterprises, factories, warehouses and utility sites. Predominantly, the role of the cameras is in the condition monitoring of capital equipment and associated electrical systems, but they are also used to check the integrity of the insulation.

The Flir thermal-imaging cameras allow Chubb to spot the signs of a developing fault without the need to interrupt the production or business process. Neil MacLeod, risk engineer, said: 'The report wizard ensures that a summary of the survey can normally be issued within 24 hours.

Flir To Exhibit Infrared Cameras At Maintec

Flir will be showing its infrared cameras at Maintec 2010, each with added-value features to provide access to new applications. The programme applies to 40 different infrared camera models, from the low-cost compact range to the flagship professional units. The mid-range T-Series includes new features such as IR video streaming, periodic storage and new lenses, and can also be used for basic analysis and mainstream predictive-maintenance work.

The Flir T-Series comprises 10 models, with three appearing for the first time at Maintec 2010. These cameras are designed for those who need advanced functionality but not the sophistication of the Flir P-Series. Their thermal sensitivity is 0.05C across a wide temperature measurement range. To tailor temperature-measurement readings to the application, this addition offers a range of measurement modes. The Flir T365 and the T425 have been introduced to reduce energy consumption through highly efficient electrical and mechanical infrared faultfinding.

Features such as autofocus and zoom lens enhance the flexibility of these models. Ergonomic design combined with low-weight, picture-in-picture fusion, touch-screen, tiltable lens unit, laser pointer and interchangeable optics complete the package. Flir will also be showing its gas-detection cameras. The models can also see, measure and visualise temperature. In addition to gas and VOC leak detection, these fully radiometric cameras can be used to detect electrical and mechanical faults, and for building inspection.

Hamamatsu To Exhibit CCD Board-Level Cameras

Hamamatsu will be introducing the C10990 series of OEM CCD board-level cameras at the Photonex 2009 Exhibition. The cameras feature high sensitivity and high resolution and include the latest 1.3 million pixel 2/3in progressive scan interline front illuminated CCD, circuitry and lens mount all on one board.

Also on show will be the latest range of semiconductor detectors featuring photon detection capability, the S10362-33 series multi-pixel photon counters (MPPC). This device uses a Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode structure for ultra-low-level light detection, and the active area has been increased from 1mm2 to 9mm2.

Other products include the C10988MA, an ultra-compact spectrometer built using MOEMS technology. The C10988MA is a device measuring 27.6mm x 13mm x 16.8mm, which was developed for use in portable and hand-held devices, where a standard mini spectrometer would be too large and consume too much power.

Flir Enhances Mid-Range T-Series Cameras

Flir Systems has announced that the latest models of its mid-range T-Series infrared cameras feature five areas of function development. The latest generation Flir T-Series has the ability to image stream, enabling the user, for example, to watch a process at start-up and acquire radiometric data at a reasonable speed.

This enhances the application scope of the camera and new software packages are available to support this functionality. These include Quickplot for simple trending, analysis and reporting work and ResearchIR for comprehensive data analysis. Periodic storage has been rolled out to the Flir T-Series. This allows snapshots to be taken at predetermined intervals, allowing the camera to act as a watchman for a variety of applications.

Thermal and/or visual images can be stored and for ease-of-use a counter is provided as standard. The company said this takes the Flir T-Series into the realms of product test and development. The ability to build a composite image is now available on selected T-Series models as the Panorama feature. Images complete with their radiometric data can be dragged, dropped and aligned in a grid to create a larger image. This opens up opportunities for new applications that can be accommodated without the need to invest in a wide-angle lens.

In additional to various stylus and sketching improvements, the latest T-Series generation can also be equipped with a choice of three new lenses, a 90deg field of view and two macro lenses for basic troubleshooting. These lenses are designed to be used across the entire Flir product programme.

Flir Mid-Range T-Series Cameras Enhanced

Flir Systems has announced that the latest models of its mid-range T-Series infrared cameras feature five areas of function development. The latest generation Flir T-Series has the ability to image stream, enabling the user, for example, to watch a process at start-up and acquire radiometric data at a reasonable speed.

This enhances the application scope of the camera and new software packages are available to support this functionality. These include Quickplot for simple trending, analysis and reporting work and ResearchIR for comprehensive data analysis. Periodic storage has been rolled out to the Flir T-Series. This allows snapshots to be taken at predetermined intervals, allowing the camera to act as a watchman for a variety of applications.

Thermal and/or visual images can be stored and for ease-of-use a counter is provided as standard. The company said this takes the Flir T-Series into the realms of product test and development. The ability to build a composite image is now available on selected T-Series models as the Panorama feature. Images complete with their radiometric data can be dragged, dropped and aligned in a grid to create a larger image.

This opens up opportunities for new applications that can be accommodated without the need to invest in a wide-angle lens. In additional to various stylus and sketching improvements, the latest T-Series generation can also be equipped with a choice of three new lenses, a 90deg field of view and two macro lenses for basic troubleshooting. These lenses are designed to be used across the entire Flir product programme.