Further details of all of the questions we ask can be found below … if you’d like to learn more about vision systems, please visit vision systems in our learn about section!
What type of system do you need?
3D Vision System – do you need to analyse dimensions all around the object or locate it in a 3D space, if so, then select this category.
A Smart Camera (ie it doesn’t need a PC or controller connected to it to be able to run) – the benefits to these systems are that once you’ve set them up, they run independently. Further benefits include the ability to connect the camera directly to a robot or PLC, with multiple digital inputs / outputs or Ethernet connectivity.
A PC based system / A Central Controller System (cost effective for multiple camera applications) – great for applications where a very high processing power is needed with multiple camera set ups.
A Vision Sensor (A very basic vision system) – these will have very limited toolsets and some will only give you a pass / fail signal.
What do you need the system to do?
Guide – this can be to guide a robot, a conveyor or any other product handling system (please detail this in the additional information section)
Inspect – checking the product has been manufactured or assembled correctly
Identify – finding our what part is on the line
Measure – checking the dimensions of a feature
Other or Multiple Requirements (please specify these in the next section)
Other or Multiple Requirements?
As mentioned in the previous section, describe exactly what needs to be done.
If measuring or locating objects/features, what accuracy is needed?
Do you need micron level accuracy, or can it be within a cm? Specify what accuracy is needed in this section.
How far away will the camera need to be mounted?
Can the system be really close or will it need to be quite far away? Specify how far away the camera will need to be here. Please bear in mind that for most lighting configurations to take effect, they will need to be localised.
What is the size of the smallest feature that needs to be detected?
This can be the size of the smallest potential defect or the smallest positional movement that needs to be detected. This, and the next field, will determine the resolution required for your vision system solution.
What is the size of the field of view?
What is the total size of the area the vision system will be monitoring. Please bear in mind this is the total viewing area … not the size of the product (ie the total area in which the product could potentially be).
Will colour inspection be needed?
95% of vision applications are carried out using black and white systems. Bear in mind that a colour may be detected just using its grey scale value … a lot of people think they need colour cameras, when they don’t really (and they tend to be more expensive!).
How close can the lighting be to the part?
For most lighting configurations to take effect and expose the right features that need to be detected, they need to be quite close (and/or at very acute angles). The closer we can get with the lighting, the better the results will be!
Are there any obstructions / restrictions in the space that’s available?
Obviously if we cant get a line of sight to the features / parts that need to be analysed … then it makes it quite difficult! Let us know if there are any obstructions / space limitations.
How quickly do you need the results from the camera?
Do you need the inspection / measurement / position to be relayed within a specific amount of time ?
Additional Information
Please include any additional information in this section.
