GigE Camera and Strobe Light for Label Inspection

Using a label gap sensor to trigger the camera and then the camera strobes the light and then inspects the label.  Using a Microscan GigE camera and Nerlite light and our custom software

4 Camera Label Inspection System

This system uses 4 Microscan GigE cameras, a Labjack USB i/o device, and our custom software to inspect 4 labels at a time to make sure the correct label is present.

Our software loads the correct job file into the camera system and each camera has its own trigger and strobe light.  Reject signal is handled by the USB i/o device as is the reset.  Contact us for more info

Microscan GigE camera and Nerlite Mounting

Here's a mounting setup we came up with for inspecting labels on a bottle labeling system.  This system will load the job for that label into the cameras, display what each camera sees and then stop the machine if there is a reject. Contact us for more info

RS232 Interface for HS51 and HS51X Cordless Bluetooth Handhelds

There is no virtual com software for the Microscan cordless handhelds HS51 and HS51X so how do you get data thru to a serial port?  The Code Corporation M3 modem is one way. The RS232 version comes with an interface cable and power supply to power the modem.  Scan the quick connect code on the modem and then scan the correct code in the handheld manual to get the port settings you need and you are ready to go.   Modem part# is BTHDG-M3-R0-C1 

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Bar Code Verification - Show the Letter Grade, Not the Number

Thanks to Microscan Vision Support for figuring out a nice way to convert the number score for AIM or ISO verification to a letter grade!  This is a string value instead of an integer and allows it to be output to the Cloudlink browser.  Contact us for more info.

TQ2SA-L2-24V Relay Board in Action

Inside our modified version of the Microscan MS Connect 210 is our new latching relay board.  This relay is connected to Output 3 and when it fires, it latches on, turns on a red stack light, and switches the stop signal from normally open (NO) to closed.  This can be wired to an E-stop or whatever is needed.  The box has a reset button which sends 24vdc in the other direction to release the latching relay.  Contact us for more info.

Latching Relay Circuit Board

For years we have been using this relay but making our own circuit board by soldering this guy onto a proto board.  It was problematic and looked less than professional. Soldering wires to the tiny terminals required a very steady hand and a lot of time.  NO MORE!  Now we have that same relay on a tiny circuit board with a terminal for each pin and 2 mounting holes.  This investment will be a huge time saver to build as well as a more robust solution for the customer.  We put this relay between the bar code reader or camera and whatever system we are stopping/starting.  This prevents that system from damaging the reader in case the customer's system has a problem.  Contact us for more info.  Relay is part# TQ2SA-L2-24V

QX Hawk Tracks Inventory

Here's a shot of the Microscan QX Hawk reading the serialized bar code on a product and transmitting it via keyboard wedge to a host application for inventory tracking.  It also ensures the label is there and the bar code is readable.  Contact us for more information.

Microscan Cloudlink Web Browser Access to Smart Cameras

Create a custom web page for your Microscan Vision Hawk or Vision Mini smart camera(s) to see what the camera sees without interfering with production.  Autovision 3.0 and up allows for you to design this using the cloudlink browser access. View from your smart phone or desktop anywhere on the factory network.

Use the Firefox web browser to create multitab views showing additional cameras.  Show production counters, film strips, chart values, and more.  Contact us for more information

Using Machine Vision to Direct a Robot

Images below are from a Microscan Vision Hawk which is using the Intellifind pattern tool to locate a feature on the part and output the angle of the feature in an ASCII string to a Robot to direct how to place it into the mating part.

Feature at 0 degrees

Feature at 52 degrees

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High Speed Sleeve Bar Code Reading

Using the Microscan QX Hawk and our customized bar code box, we are able to read 8-10 codes per second or faster.  Contact us for more info

Cloud Link Browser interface for Microscan Smart Cameras

Autovision 3.0 release includes new web tools for customizing your web interface to Microscan smart cameras like the Vision Hawk.  Multiple tabs can be created for smart phone browsers or smaller screens.  Contact us for more info

Trigger Vision Hawk via EIP RSLogix 5000

Here's a program that will trigger the Microscan Vision Hawk in an adjustable time interval as long as an input is high.  The Vision Hawk controls the strobe and the accept/reject outputs.  Contact us for more info

Panel Scan Solution now available for demo at our Lafayette, IN office

 

This system uses a 6k line scan camera and special lighting and software to capture the image of a circuit board, bring the images into the vision system, perform the necessary inspections and then perform necessary steps based on those results.

Contact us for details

 

 

 

Bring your boards and we will show you how we can read them and capture the bar code or inspection results

 

Multi core processing helps GigE app improve image capture and quality

 

Check out these before (below) and after (above) shots using color GigE cameras.  Splitting the tasks onto different cores of the processor allows for parallel processing for this high speed application

 

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Vision Mini Inspects Gasket Orientation

The Microscan Vision Mini is a very small form factor vision system.  It has integrated lighting and is terrific for inspecting small features at a close distance



Using the pattern tool, this is the pass image of the gasket on properly.

 

This is a missing gasket

 

This is a fail image because the gasket is on wrong

 

Contact us for more information

Sample Verification Report from Microscan Autovision

Here's a screen shot of a verification report using the ISO 15415 standard.  You can also verify to the ISO 15416 and AIM DPM standards.

Bar Code Verification Reports in Microscan Autovision

With Version 2.1.1.18 of Autovision, among other things, Verification reporting is now possible.  Below are some screen shots of how to get to the report options using a Vision Hawk with verification enabled on the camera

Here is an image from the run screen with the Verification tool for 2D codes

Click on the Grade Letter

That brings up an options window where you can set this up to create and store the reports in txt or PDF formats.  Close this when you are done and it is ready to go.

Contact us for more info

Scan - Print - Scan and Match Solution

Using 2 Microscan QX Hawks and a Zebra label printer (ZPL enabled), we are able to have the first reader read and match a DPM code.  Reader 1 in turn generates a paper label by sending a ZPL string to the label printer for a label.  Reader 1 also sends a match string of the DPM code it just read to Reader 2.  After the operator places the label on the part, reader 2 reads and matches the code.  Outputs fire on pass/fail for both readers.  Contact us for more information.

Connect Microscan Nerlite Smart lights to Cognex 7000 Series

The 7000 series has a built in Light connection.  It is a direct connection to Smart Vision and CCL lights but not for the Microscan Smart Lights.  But it is possible.  Get the standard flying lead cable and put a photoeye connector on the flying lead end that goes to the camera.  Pin 1 is brown, Pin 2 is not used, Pin 3 gets the blue and white wires, and pin 4 gets the Black wire.  You can then strobe away.  Also, put the black wire with the brown on pin 1 and it will stay on all the time.  Contact us for more info

Microscan Link Lets you Change Camera Settings on the Fly!

Here's a screen shot of our 2- GigE color camera app.  We added gain slider bars for each camera.  Just slide the gain bars to the desired settings and hit Set Gain and it changes the gain setting on the next trigger.  This is a helpful tool for when your image brightness changes from run to run.
Contact us for more info

USB i/o device for GigE camera system interface

We've had good luck using the Labjack brand of USB i/o devices as a means to get a GigE camera system to communicate with external devices. GigE cameras only have a trigger input and a strobe signal.  You need some type of device to turn on a light, eject a part, whatever...... Labjack has both USB and Ethernet devices that you can put on your network. Their SDK allows you to integrate them into your system.  The base device only allows 5vdc but you can get a chip that will allow 24vdc.  So hard to find an i/o card that fits in today's PCs.  The Labjack solves this problem.  Contact us for more info.

Panel Scan Large Area Bar Code Reading

Here's a small sample of what the Panel Scan solution from Microscan can do.  This system uses a GigE line scan camera and special lighting to read all the bar codes on a PCB, interface to the host system, and communicate to the next machine on the line.  Contact us for more info.

Line Scan Lighting Solution

Precise lighting is critical for a successful line scan vision solution.  Here's an image of 2- Nerlite LED's that have a special lens that concentrates the light to a fine line that reflects up to the line scan camera.  Contact us for more info.

GigE Line Scan 6,144 Pixels Wide

Using this GigE line camera from Microscan and their Visionscape software and available .NET SDK, we are able to develop applications for inspecting a large area.  The line scan camera is 6,144 pixels wide and can be used for reading bar codes and inspecting an array of circuit boards or inspecting packages on a conveyor belt.  Contact us for more information

GigE Large Area Scanning / Vision Solution

 

This solution can uses a Microscan GigE Line Scan camera with machine vision tools to inspect the contents of the box as well as read all the bar codes, interface to the host system, and generate a label to a printer applicator.  Contact us for more info

New Cordless DPM Reader from Microscan

The HS-51X is a compact handheld imager for decoding low contrast 2D symbols on substrates such as sheet metals, castings, plastics, and electronic components. Its dual field optics are optimized to read both linear barcodes and 2D symbols, including challenging marks such as those created by direct part mark (DPM) methods such as dot peen and laser/chemical etch. Contact us for more information