Stemmer Releases Remote-Control VB-2 HD Camera

Stemmer Imaging's VB-2 HD camera is based on the Sony FCB-H11 10x zoom module and provides component HD to 1080i. Measuring just 70mm in diameter and 90mm in length, the camera is an ideal choice for a variety of industrial, multi-media and broadcast applications that require a high-performance camera in a lightweight, miniature package. The onboard microphone makes the unit suitable for video communication systems and connectivity can be customised to ensure easy connection to existing video-conferencing equipment.

The powerful 10x zoom lens also contains a day/night switching function, turning the camera into an IR-sensitive device for low-light applications. The supplied splitter box allows all signals from the 1.5m cable to be routed to appropriate locations and can also be upgraded to include an optional HDSDI interface board. Sony's Visca protocol is used for remote control of all features and functions. The camera is provided with a flexible bracket that allows convenient mounting on top of a monitor, desktop or tripod. For locations that challenge the standard zoom range, wide angle or tele-converters can be attached using the 37mm filter thread.

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.

Stemmer Offers Printqual Image Processing Tool

Stemmer Imaging has unveiled the Printqual Image Processing Tool for print quality inspection, as part of the Common Vision Blox hardware-independent imaging toolkit. Printqual allows a monochrome or colour test image to be compared quantitatively against a specified reference image for applications in every sector of print inspection.

It is an ActiveX control that can be used to inspect a wide range of print substrates such as paper, cardboard and labels, as well as overprints. Even highly complex work pieces, such as lead frames and printed circuit boards can be inspected for errors. Work with Printqual is divided into a learning or training phase, and the subsequent automatic inspection of the items. Acceptance thresholds can easily be determined by one or more acceptable test images.

The thresholds can be adjusted for the images to be accepted. The test image is position and distortion-corrected, and a comparison is made in terms of small, medium and large-scale structures within the image. All images producing a quality score below the determined acceptance thresholds will be rejected by Printqual. Unlike conventional correlation methods, Printqual makes it possible to distinguish between a large number of small errors and a single large error. The algorithm is so sensitive that errors of only a few pixels in size can be identified.