Industrial Cameras: What is the right choice?

What is the right choice when selecting an industrial camera? If you look in the current trade magazine like Vision Systems Design, 2008 Buyers Guide, (www.vision-systems.com) you will find an abundance of camera manufacturers offering similar technologies and digital camera interfaces. It is hard to decide which company and technology to choose.

The first choice to make is the technology. The industrial camera industry provides a variety of technologies from analog to digital. There are a few digital technologies to consider. The current digital camera technologies are Firewire IEEE-1394.a and IEEE-1394.b, Camera Link, Gigabit Ethernet and USB 2.0. Of course, there is still wide use of analog technology. Analog for the most part is converted to digital with the use of a frame grabber (PCI Card) and then with software, formatting an application. This being said, that although analog cameras are used, much of what we see today is digitized camera technology that allows for image processing using software.

When making the technology choice it is really important to be clear on exactly what the application is going to be. What are the real requirements? Here are a few questions to consider when selecting and industrial camera technology:

1. What resolution is required?
2. Is it a color or monochrome application?
3. Is image processing speed important?
4. Is there a space limitation? (Is camera size important?)
5. Is there a weight limitation?
6. What kinds of optics are going to be used?
7. Is there a cabling limitation?
8. What is the budget for the project?
9. What is the time frame?
10. Do you need a lot or little technical assistance?

These are just a few questions that must be considered when selecting an industrial camera and technology.

The second choice to make is which camera manufacturer to use. There are manufacturers that provide the best technology but they may not meet your budget requirements or your time frames for delivery. There are also low cost providers but you also have to consider how long they’ve been in the industry and how much technical support they will provide for your application.

When trying to select a camera a technology and manufacturer it is wise to use distributor. Industrial camera distributors have a history with different technologies and manufacturers and can provide a quicker solution based on your requirements. The expertise that an industrial camera distributor can provide can save limitless amounts of time and money. Sourcing a good distributor can be as easy as going to an industry association. AIA, Automated Imaging Association is a great source for locating industrial camera distributors, www.machinevisiononline.org.

There are many decisions to be made when sourcing camera technology, manufacturers and distribution channels. It is wise to do all the homework upfront and pick the technology and channel you want to work with by working with a sound distribution partner.

For more information contact, www.aegis-elec.com.

Aegis USB Camera Systems Inexpensive Solution for Inspection

Aegis recently displayed the their new Aeg-USB10x-Sys. This integrated machine vision camera system features the Sentech, STC-B33USB-A, VGA (640x480), USB industrial color camera. This system is easily integrated with a laptop or desktop computer with no additional interface needed. The camera features a soft trigger, 90fps and free SDK. This system can incorporate the lensing and lighting needed to provide a complete solution. For addtional information visit, www.aegis-elec.com. (Pictured above Liz Carnes, Principle of Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. and Tom Campbell VP Sales and Marketing Sentech America, Inc.)

IPC, Apex and Designers Summit 2008 a Success for MV Systems

The Apex Show in Las Vegas, April 1-3 proved to be successful for Aegis Electronic Group, Inc.'s product offering of Integrated Machine Vision Systems. Aegis displayed the 5 Megapixel Sony, XCL5005CR, Camera Link camera system. This camera system features the Bitflow Neon Pocl (Power Over Camera Link) frame grabber board, with a list price of just $695.00. The system also featured a high resolution Orion monitor with 1280 x 1024 resolution. This Aeg-CL-5M-Sys sells for $7000.00 and is a great solution for bench sodder inspection for PC boards. For more information visit www.aegis-elec.com.

Imaging Solutions for Military Manufacturers

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. has been serving the Southern California, National and International vision markets since 1989, providing imaging component solutions for many different applications, which support the military and defense industries.

The vision component of many high-end applications such as unmanned vehicles for flight, underwater or roadside bomb detection have proven that vision equipment and technical expertise can save lives and provide a leveraging edge in the protection of our military and borders. The overall vision component industry has grown exponentially with respect to defense due to the overall advantage it provides by reducing loss of life and injury for our military personnel.

There are many different camera technologies available today from analog to different digital technologies. Analog technology is still widely used because with the use of PCI cards it can be converted into a digital format, but many vision component users are moving to the pure digital formats like Firewire ‚ IEEE-1394.b, Camera Link ‚ and an even newer technology, Gigabit Ethernet. The use of the digital technologies provide for higher bandwidth, faster processing speeds and higher resolutions. Many of the technologies in vision that were first used in industrial inspection are now being used for applications such as retinal scanning and finger print analysis.

The more imaging and component vision become an important part of defense technology, the more important it is to have organizations that are committed to technical expertise in this arena. Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. has a long-standing commitment to providing the knowledge and technical expertise needed for engineers to incorporate a vision component into an application.

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. is a small business, woman-owned organization. Aegis is a franchised distributor for cameras and peripheral equipment. Our offices are located in Oceanside, California and Gilbert, Arizona. Please visit our website for more information www.aegis-elec.com.

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. Presenting New Solutions at Apex

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. will be presenting new industrial camera solutions at IPC/Apex from April 1-3 at booth 2525. This is the first time that the Apex show will be hosted in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay. Previous Apex shows have been in February located in Southern California, first at the San Diego Convention Center, then at the Anaheim Convention Center and finally at the LA Convention Center.

Aegis will present industrial cameras solutions featuring different camera technologies from Camera Link and Firewire 1394.b to Smart Camera solutions. Aegis will feature the Sony VIP XCL-5005 (Camera Link), the new XCD-SX90CR (Firewire 1394.b) and the XCI-SX1 (Smart Camera). The industrial camera technologies will be featured in full system set-up. Camera systems will feature Tamron lenses, Bitflow Camera Link frame grabbers, Intercon 1 cabling, Orion monitors and more.

The small system set-ups with high resolution, high frame rate capabilities make Aegis's integrated camera solutions a preference for those looking for an inexpensive vision system. The Aegis integrated systems can also be customized based on customer requirements. The Aegis vision system can also be integrated with NI Vision Builder to offer an even more sophisticated yet still inexpensive solution for your inspection purposes.

Please visit our booth 2525 or contact us at 888-687-6877, www.aegis-elect.com.

USASS Offers New ID Badging Camera Station

USA Security Systems is now offering a USB ID badging camera. This VALCam indentification camera offers a high quality image, full screen live video at 640 x 480 (VGA Resolution) at 30 fps and high intensity flash for a perfect image 18 inches to 14 feet. The USB interface is great for labtop or desktop computers. USASS also offers back drop screens and other related items to complete your entire ID badging camera station set-up. The VALCam USB ID camera is great for police stations, jail facilities and company security.

USA Security Systems is owned and operated by Aegis Electronic Group, Inc.

National University Hosts Peak Performance Awards

National University honored seven organizations with Peak Performance Awards at a luncheon on Monday, November 12.

The School of Business and Management sponsored the event in conjunction with the National University Center for Organizational Excellence and the San Diego Daily Transcript. The competition generated more than 130 applications and attracted a sizable audience to the banquet room at the La Jolla Hilton Torrey Pines.

“This represents an historic and significant milestone in collaboration in recognizing those organizations that perform at superior levels for sustained periods,” said National University Provost Tom Green, who served as Master of Ceremonies at the event.

A group of 30 finalists was selected by a distinguished nomination committee comprised of community leaders, National University faculty and Daily Transcript staff. Companies and organizations of all sizes were eligible to apply. Nominees were evaluated on the following five criteria: sustainability; a clearly demonstrated vision and mission; commitment to customers; commitment to employees; and top-line profitability.

Selecting from the 30 finalists, a panel of six judges chose the following seven winners:

• Aegis Electronic Group, a leading supplier of imaging components and integrated system solutions, specializing in fields such as machine vision, bioscience, microscopy and robotics.
  
• ARINC, serving the rapidly emerging world of transportation communications with more than 150 innovative products and services, including in flight mobile phones and internet access at airports
  
• Northrop Grumman, a global defense and technology company providing innovative systems, products and solutions to ensure security and freedom for the United States and its allies.
  
• PomeradoHospital, healing, comforting and promoting health to residents in the 850-square-mile health care district between NorthSan DiegoCounty and SouthRiversideCounty.
  
• RBF Consulting, making the world a better place through the application of sustainable development principles, providing design services that enhance the quality of life and the environment.
  
• San Diego Family Justice Center (and the Justice Center Foundation), a comprehensive “one-stop shop” for victims of domestic violence and their children, offering legal, medical, advocacy and social services all under one roof.

• Scripps Health/Hospital, offering four acute-care hospitals on five campuses totaling 700 licensed beds and a network of clinics served by close to 2,600 physicians.

The six judges included: George Chamberlin, executive editor for the San Diego Daily Transcript; Joe Guerin, editor of the Daily Transcript; Eileen Heveron, vice president of information technology at National University; Barbara Warden, president of the Downtown San Diego Partnership; National University alumnus Brent Wilsey, president of Wilsey Asset Management; and Don Zillioux, founder and chairman of Strategic Development Worldwide LLC.

By studying the ability of peak performing organizations to sustain long-term performance and maximize their potential, it is possible to enhance the performance of individual institutions, as well as entire sectors of business and industry.

The National University Center for Organizational Excellence (NU-COE) was established to apply academic research toward institutional performance. It is a consortium of business and academic professionals which was organized in accordance with