Switching from CCD to CMOS Cameras

Sony has announced the closure of its CCD sensor factory. CCD camera users are now confronted with questions around switching to CMOS technology and the availability of current CCD camera models.

For us, the move toward CMOS technology doesnt come as a surprise. We started our preparations some time ago and can offer a broad portfolio of CMOS products. 

Sony has scheduled the last delivery of the CCD sensors that are integrated into Basler cameras for the end of 2026. Basler will ensure a smooth transition from current Basler products with CCD sensors to CMOS sensor-based Basler products.

 

We have put together a list of answers to the most relevant questions around this transition and around suitable successors for your CCD sensor-based Basler ace camera.

CCDs been discontinued. Now what?

Experience together with Steve what Sonys CCD discontinuation announcement means and how you can deal with it.

FAQs

When should I begin switching from CCD to CMOS?

In general, you could start any time. Switching quickly will let you benefit from a performance increase in your application and from lower camera costs. Therefore, a fast change makes sense. On the other hand, there is no immediate rush if you are using CCD-based cameras. They will be available for many years to come. We recommend taking the time to run the calculations on your application, to decide which option would be more advantageous.

What do I have to consider when switching?

Relatively little. You should not have any trouble finding a camera with a suitable CMOS sensor. For an easy switch, choose a CMOS sensor with the same optical format as your current CCD cameras, and you all only have to perform minimal adjustments to your system design. Things are also kept simple if you stay with your standard interface, Gigabit Ethernet. Basler offers all new CMOS sensors within the 29 mm x 29 mm housing of its ace models which allows for easy replacement of nearly all existing camera designs. It also brings along improved performance in replacement scenarios of analog FireWire cameras, where space limits are a crucial concern.

What is important when integrating the latest CMOS-based cameras?

Integrating a CMOS camera to replace CCD sensors is simpler than expected, especially when you choose standard-compliant hardware and software. Because camera manufacturers take care of the entire sensor integration including image quality optimization, all you need to do when choosing the right CMOS camera is to:

• Determine the correct resolution of the camera: The required resolution depends on the details you need to make visible in your images.
• Define the required camera interface: The choice of an interface depends on the required cable length, bandwidth, necessary frame rates and real-time capabilities and PC hardware availability. Our Interface Advisor helps you find the best interface for your application.
• Choose lens and lighting: Changing the sensor format also involves changing the lens. Our Lens Selector makes finding a new lens easy. Lighting must only be adjusted if the sensitivity of the new sensor is different from the previous one.
• Integration effort for software and camera control: Cameras complying with common standards such as GenICam, for example, or interface standards like USB3 Vision or GigE Vision, offer uncomplicated integration.

Which CMOS successors does Baslers portfolio offer today?

Basler has anticipated the trend towards CMOS sensor technology in industrial cameras early on and offers a broad product portfolio of CMOS cameras with sensors from various manufacturers. Just recently, it equipped two ace GigE and two ace USB 3.0 models with Sonys IMX174 CMOS sensor. With a resolution of 2.3 MP and frame rates of 50 fps (GigE) and 155 fps (USB 3.0), respectively, this powerful sensor is a recommended choice for demanding applications in the fields of traffic, microscopy and medicine.

To Know More About To Know More About Basler Camera Distributor, India Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

Source - baslerweb.com

USB 3.0 as an Alternative to Camera Link – Tips for Switching

The USB3 Vision Standard and associated USB 3.0 interface have been on the market for some time now. Since the introduction of this interface technology, a growing number of users have been considering whether and how to switch from their old Camera Link cameras to new USB 3.0 models. 

Our new White Paper "USB 3.0 as an Alternative to Camera Link – Key Factors When Switching Camera Interfaces" explains reasons for switching from Camera Link to USB 3.0 and gives pointers on the factors that matter most.

In many situations, USB 3.0 is a suitable replacement for Camera Link, with potential fields of applications ranging from food sorting and semiconductor or printed material inspections to the pharmaceutical industry. This White Paper shows the benefits offered by USB 3.0 for the individual applications. 

General explanations of the USB3 Vision Standard and the USB 3.0 interface can be found in our Vision Campus article "USB 3.0 – The camera Interface of the Future (?)" and in our White Paper "USB 3.0 Interface and USB3 Vision Standard – Data, Facts, Setup and Migrating to USB 3.0." Our White Paper "Setting Up a Stable USB 3.0 Camera System" details how to set up this kind of system.

To Know More About Basler Camera Distributor, India, Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

 

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

 

Source - baslerweb.com

What is Embedded Vision? – New Vision Campus Video

If you think industrial cameras are roughly the size of a carton of milk and their computers are big enough to work as chairs, you're a little behind the times. Machine Vision system components were as big a few years ago, but not any more.

Over time PCs have shrunk, in some cases down to no more than a compact, application-specific processing board. The cameras have gotten smaller, too and are now often available without a housing – allowing them to be integrated into a larger system. 

These two trends toward miniaturization of PCs and the camera make it possible for vision systems to be produced affordably and for highly specific applications. A system of this kind is referred to as an embedded vision system.

Want to find out more about this topic? Then watch the new video in the Vision Campus on What is Embedded Vision? It contains more in-depth information, such as how an embedded vision system is constructed, its benefits and where these systems are used.

The Vision Campus contains detailed articles and videos on Machine Vision and on Vision technology in general. We explain for example why it's important to choose the right lighting for your image processing task and why CMOS sensors are the technology of the future – presented in text and video form. See for yourself!

To Know More About Basler Camera Distributor, India, Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

 

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

 

Source - baslerweb.com

Basler Goes to SPIE Photonics West

The Basler team is going to San Francisco for the SPIE Photonics West Exhibition. Right on the first day of the show, on January 31, Scott Graber, Senior Applications Engineer at Basler, Inc., will host a demo session. He will show how 5×5 debayering, anti-aliasing, denoising and improved sharpness make a difference in image quality. The session will start at 11:30 in the Demo Area in Hall ABC South

At the booth # 4464 Basler will show its latest products, the ace with the IMX252 sensor and the PGI feature set for in-camera image optimization, the Basler Time-Of-Flight Camera and theembedded vision evaluation kit – PowerPack dart USB for Evaluation. 

To Know More About Basler Camera Distributor, India, Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

 

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

 

 

Source - baslerweb.com

Y-Cable for Use of All I/Os on Basler ace Cameras with the Latest CMOS Sensors without Interferences

The ace GigE cameras with Sony’s IMX sensors and the PYTHON sensors from ON Semiconductor and all ace USB 3.0 cameras have two I/O types: direct coupled GPIO and opto-coupled I/O. Our new Y-cable allows you to use both types simultaneously without the opto-coupled I/Os interfering with the GPIO signals due to crosstalk. There are two separate wires to split both I/O types. The two wires on the Y-cable have different colors to distinguish between them (GPIO = yellow, opto-I/O = blue).The cables are 10 meters long with open ends so that they can be shortened individually to fit your application.

For all ace GigE cameras (with/without GPIO) the GPIO cable also supplies power to the camera. This design allows a separate wiring of trigger signal and power. 

 

 

 

To Know More About Basler Camera Distributor, India, Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

 

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

 

 

Source - baslerweb.com

Ahead of the 3D Wave – Basler's First ToF Camera Entering Series Production

After a successful conclusion of the innovation and evaluation phase and extremely positive customer feedback Basler's first 3D camera, the Basler ToF camera, is now entering series production. The Basler ToF camera stands out for its combination of high resolution (VGA) and powerful features at a very attractive price. This outstanding price/performance ratio puts the Basler ToF camera in a unique position on the market and distinguishes it significantly from competitors' cameras. 

The Basler ToF camera operates on the pulsed time-of-flight principle. It is outfitted with eight high-power LEDs working in the NIR range, and generates 2D and 3D data in one shot with a multipart image, comprised of range, intensity and confidence maps. Beyond this, it delivers distance values in a working range from 0 to 13.3 meters, 20 frames per second and connects via a standard GigE interface. The measurement accuracy of the Basler ToF camera is +/-1 cm at a range from 0.5 to 5.8 meters. Powerful features such as HDR, multichannel, trigger and PTP are available to implement applications quickly and easily even in complex systems round off this innovative 3D camera. Jana Bartels, Product Manager at Basler, explains: "This third dimension makes it possible to simplify applications that require depth data, which in turn lets customers reap the full benefits of the technology. Instead of installing multiple 2D cameras for generating 3D data and/or laser triangulation, one single ToF camera is often enough to achieve the desired result – allowing customers to design their applications more efficiently and cut overall system costs. Beyond this, other ToF cameras often come with significantly lower resolution or a higher price." 

The Basler ToF camera is suitable for a variety of applications, including robotics, industrial automation, logistics and medical & life sciences, as well as augmented reality.

To Know More About Basler Camera Distributor, India, Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

 

 

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

 

Source - baslerweb.com

Tips for cleaning dust from a sensor

When changing lenses on machine vision cameras, some dust might get into the camera and land on the sensor’s cover glass. If this occurs, this dust will affect image quality. Read More to know how to clean dust from the sensor’s cover glass or other protective glass.

Important: “glassless” imagers, where the cover glass has been removed for UV sensitivity or other reasons SHOULD NOT be cleaned using this process.

1. What you need:

• Flat LED light source whose light power is adjustable.
• Lens whose aperture is adjustable; from completely closed to wide open, for example, COSMICAR.
• C25010 (1inch, 50mm F1.8).
• Cleaning fluid (see Note 1 below).
• ESD-safe swab (see Note 2 below).
• Lint-free gloves.
• Moisture-free compressed air (optional).

Note 1: For cleaning fluid, isopropyl alcohol is a good starting point however, it may not be sufficient to remove all dust. A mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol with 30% ether is recommended. Please read and follow safety precautions when mixing these chemicals.
Note 2: To avoid leaving any fibers behind, standard cotton swabs should not be used. Instead, the use of specialized ESD-safe swabs is strongly recommended.

2. How to clean up

The cleaning process (Steps 4-6 below) should be performed in a cleanroom or under a dust-free hood if a cleanroom is not available. Proper clothing should be worn in cleanrooms. At a minimum, lint-free gloves should always be worn during cleaning to avoid introducing additional contaminants.

1) Set up camera with lens and PC to monitor images from the camera.

2) Adjust the lens aperture to almost closed (small aperture); adjust the intensity of the flat LED to produce an image that is not saturated.

3) Check images from the camera to see whether or not some dust exists.
Some tips when trying to identify dust on the cover glass/filter glass are as follows:

• Is the dust on the sensor glass or light source? Try moving the camera physically. If the dust moves when the camera is moving, the dust is on the light source.
• Is the dust on the sensor glass or monitor? Try moving the image window on PC. If the dust does *not* follow the image window, the dust is on the monitor.
• Is the dust on the sensor glass or lens? Try rotating the lens (loosening the lens). If the dust follows the lens rotation, the dust is on the lens.

Example image of dust:

4) If some dust exists on the cover glass, then,

• Remove the lens
• If you have a can of moisture-free compressed air, you can try a short burst to loosen the dust particles. Be sure to let the air run for 1-2 seconds away from the camera first, to clean out any contaminants in the nozzle. It is important that the compressed air be completely dry, otherwise it will introduce additional contamination. If you are not sure whether the compressed air being used is truly moisture-free, you should skip this step.
• Put a little bit of cleaner fluid on the swab.
• Touch the swab to top-left or top-right corner of the sensor’s cover glass, then wipe straight across to the other edge of the sensor (e.g., from left edge to right edge).
• Lift the swab and return to a point just below where the first pass started and repeat the process.
• Continue until the entire cover glass has been cleaned in the same direction.
• Do not wipe back-and-forth across the sensor as this may unnecessarily drag dust particles across the surface.

5) Attach the lens and go back to Step 3. If some dust still exists, execute Step 4 again with a brand-new swab.
Note: Re-use of swab is not recommended due to the risk of reintroducing foreign object debris (FODs).
The cover glass could become dirtier.

6) Repeat Steps 3 – 5 until the cover glass becomes clean

To Know More About To Know More About Jai Industrial Cameras in Mumbai, India , Contact Menzel Vision and Robotics Pvt Ltd at (+ 91) 22 67993158 or Email us at info@mvrpl.com

 

Contact Details

Menzel Vision & Robotics Pvt Ltd

Address: 4, A-Wing, Bezzola Complex,
Sion Trombay Road, Chembur
400071 Mumbai, India
Tel:(+91) 22 67993158
Fax: (+91) 22 67993159
Mobile:+91 9323786005 / 9820143131
E-mail: info@mvrpl.com

 

Source - jai.com