New Smart Cameras Deliver Faster Processing, Higher Resolution
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In late 2007, National Instruments released the first products in a line of smart cameras – machine vision cameras combined with embedded processors that are ideal for industrial machine vision applications. These cameras directly process images and transform them into inspection results.
NI is expanding its product line with three new smart cameras – the NI 1744, NI 1762, and NI 1764. These cameras deliver faster processing speed and higher image resolution to offer more powerful options for applications such as packaging inspection and assembly verification.
Figure 1. Three new NI Smart Cameras provide faster processing speed and higher resolution for industrial applications.
The NI 1744 Smart Camera features a high resolution image sensor that acquires images up to 1.3 megapixels (1280 x 1024). Industrial engineers and machine builders can use this camera to identify smaller defects and make measurements with four times the resolution of previous NI Smart Camera models.
For engineers needing higher performance with applications such as pattern matching, optical-character recognition, and code reading, the NI 1762 Smart Camera uses a 720 MHz Texas Instruments DSP coprocessor alongside the 533 MHz PowerPC, making it possible to run algorithms up to four times faster with no changes to the application software. The NI 1762 Smart Camera contains the same 640 x 480 resolution image sensor found in the first models.
The NI 1764 Smart Camera features a combination of upgrades, including the 1.3 megapixel image sensor and the 720 MHz Texas Instruments DSP coprocessor, to offer the highest resolution and performance of the NI Smart Camera family. The NI 1764 Smart Camera is ideal for uses including high-speed manufacturing line applications to inspect large objects or locate and identify small codes or features.
Table 1. The NI Smart Camera product line offers a variety of processor configuration, memory, image sensor, and I/O options.
View a webcast on NI Smart Camera features.
This article first appeared in the Q4 2008 issue of Instrumentation Newsletter.
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