1stVision, Author at 1stVision Inc. - Machine Vision Articles

October 17, 2022October 17, 2022

Lucid Helios2+ Time of Flight 3D cameras

The Lucid Vision Labs Helios2+ Time of Flight (ToF) 3D camera features High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode, and High-Speed Time-of-Flight mode, and a Sony DepthSense™ IMX556PLR 1/2″ global shutter CMOS back-illuminated ToF sensor.

Do I need a Time of Flight (ToF) 3D camera? It depends. If you can achieve the desired outcome in 2D, by all means stay in 2D since the geometry is simpler as are the camera, lensing, lighting, and software requirements. But as discussed in “Types of 3D imaging systems – and benefits of Time of Flight (TOF)”, some applications can only be solved, or innovative offerings created, by working in a three dimensional space.

Robots doing pick-and-place, aerial drones, and patient monitoring are three examples, just to name diverse applications, that may require 3D ToF imaging. Some 3D systems use structured light or passive stereo approaches to build a 3D representation of the object space – but those approaches are often constrained to short working distances. ToF can be ideal for applications operating at working distances of 0.5m – 5m and beyond, with depth resolution requirements to 1 – 5mm.

Lucid Vision Labs has been a recognized leader in 3D ToF systems some time, and we are proud to represent their Helios2 and new Helios2+ cameras, the latter with high speed modes achieve frame rates of 100fps+.

Besides the high speed mode in the video above, another feature is High Dynamic Range mode, combining multiple exposures to provide accurate 3D depth information for high contrast, complex objects containing both highly reflective and low reflectivity objects. Sensing and depth measurement applications to sub-mm (< 1mm) precision. Click here to see examples and further details.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera selection. With a large portfolio of lenses, cables, NIC card and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

August 23, 2022August 23, 2022

Sony Pregius 4th generation continues image sensor excellence

Continuing the tradition of excellence begun in 2013, Sony’s 4th generation of Pregius sensors, designated Pregius S, is now available in a range of cameras. All Pregius sensors, starting with the “IMX” code preceding the sensor model number, provide global shutter pixel technology for active pixel CMOS image sensors that adopts Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation’s low-noise structure to realize high-quality images.

Pregius S brings a back-illuminated structure, enabling smaller sensor size as well as faster frame rates. The faster frame rates speak for themselves, but it’s worth noting that the smaller sensor size has the benefit of permitting smaller lenses, which can reduce overall costs.

**Figure 1. Surface-illuminated vs. Back-illuminated image sensors**

Let’s highlight some of the benefits offered by Pregius S image sensors:

With the photodiode placed closer to the micro-lens, a wider incident angle is created, admitting more light, leading to enhanced sensitivity. At low incident angles, the Pregius S captures up to 4x as much light as Sony’s own highly-praised 2nd generation Pregius sensors from just a few years ago! (See Fig. 1 above)
Light collection is further enhanced by positioning wiring and circuits below the photodiode
Smaller 2.74um pixels provides higher resolution in typical smaller cube cameras, continuing the evolution of ever more capacity and performance while occupying less space

While Pregius S sensors are very compelling, the prior generation Pregius sensors remain an excellent choice for many applications. As with many engineering choices, it comes down to performance requirements as well as cost considerations, to achieve the optimal solution for any given application. Many of the Pregius S image sensors can be found in industrial cameras offered by 1stVision. Use our “Sensor” pull down menu on our camera selector to look for the new sensors, starting with IMX5 e.g. IMX541.

Graphics courtesy of Sony.

August 19, 2022August 19, 2022

AVT Alvium series G1 GigE and G5 5GigE Vision cameras

Supplementing Allied Vision’s ALVIUM Technology, AVT’s ASIC chip camera lineup, previously with USB3 Vision and MIPI CSI-2 interfaces, ALVIUM offerings now include two speed levels of the GigE Vision interface. While retaining the compact sugar-cube housing format, the ALVIUM G1 and ALVIUM G5 combine the advantages of the established GigE Vision standard with the flexibility of the ALVIUM platform.

**ALVIUM G1 GigE and G5 5GigE Vision cameras**

As a SoC design tailored for imaging, ALVIUM is highly-optimized to balance functionality and performance, unlike cameras built on generic components. And with four interfaces to the ALVIUM platform, users can match application needs by testing different interfaces, each with a similar user experience.

The ALVIUM G1 series are compact GigE cameras with excellent image quality, offering a comprehensive feature set across 14 sensors in the initial release:

Resolution: up to 24.6 megapixels
Sensors: CMOS global and rolling shutter sensors from Sony and ON Semi
Frame rates: up to 276 frames per second
Housing: Closed housing
Lens mount options: C-Mount, CS-Mount, or S-Mount (M-12)
Image colors: Monochrome and color (UV, NIR & SWIR coming soon)

Click here to see all G1 models and get a quote

The ALVIUM G5 series offer the easy upgrade for more performance, also with a comprehensive feature set, and 11 high-performance Sony IMX image sensors at first release:

Resolutions: up to 24.6 megapixels
Sensors: CMOS global and rolling shutter SONY IMX sensors
Frame rates: up to 464 frames per second
Housing: Closed housing (60 mm x 29 mm x 29 mm)
Lens mount options: C-Mount, CS-Mount, or S-Mount (M-12)
Image colors: Monochrome and color (UV, NIR & SWIR coming soon)

Click here to see all G5 models and get a quote

Contact us at 1stVision with a brief idea of your application, and we will contact you to discuss camera options. support and / or pricing.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have an average of 20 years experience to assist in your camera selection. Representing the largest portfolio of industry leading brands in imaging components, we can help you design the optimal vision solution for your application.

About Us | 1stVision

1st Vision is the most experienced distributor in the U.S. of machine vision cameras, lenses, frame grabbers, cables, lighting, and software in the industry.

July 13, 2022July 29, 2022

Microfluidics systems with Opto Imaging Modules

Microfluidics includes the control and manipulation of fluids at sub-millimeter scale, with a wide and growing range of industrial and medical applications. Opto now offers microfluids systems solutions via the Opto digital inverse microsope profile M.

With a pressure-based system to move fluids into the droplet micro-nozzle, the dosing nozzle (to add active substances to a droplet), and through the tubing, the Opto Inverse Microsope Profile M revolutionizes the ease of creating a microfluids system.

Five key benefits of the Opto microfluidics system:

Integrates camera sensor, lens, and lighting into one module
Provides lens magnification choices to match application requirements
Light source frequency and color options are available
Parameterized software permits droplet size monitoring and control with user-friendly controls and display (see image below)
Droplets may be sequentially identified and logged for export and data mining

The microfluidics systems offering described above is in turn based upon Opto’s innovative Imaging Modules. These modules each contain an integrated camera sensor, lens and lighting in an “all in one” housing. A range of imaging modules are available, each configured to optimize component alignment and operations. The end-user may quickly deploy a new system, benefiting from the standardized systems, economies of scale, and expertise of the module builder.

Coming soon are soon are modules to track, count and analyze fast objects, particles and droplets, at more than 150 FPS. So the approach is also suitable for high-speed biomedical and microfluidics applications.

Key takeaway: Imaging modules relieve the systems builder of the challenges in building an imaging system from scratch, such that the imaging system is a building-block available for integration into (often as the controlling “engine” of) a larger system. The integrator or system builder can focus more at the systems level, connecting the imaging module rather than having to integrate a lens, sensor, and lighting into a custom solution.

In short, it’s buy vs. build – for certain applications areas, Opto’s integrated modules make a compelling value proposition in favor of “buy” – for the imaging features – allowing the integrator or systems builder to add his or her expertise in other aspects of the system build.

Contact us at 1stVision with a brief idea of your application, and we will contact you to discuss camera options. support and / or pricing.

About Us | 1stVision

1st Vision is the most experienced distributor in the U.S. of machine vision cameras, lenses, frame grabbers, cables, lighting, and software in the industry.