Machine vision system inspects, reads barcodes

Cognex ISE 4.5, an inspection tool, is designed to have multiple functions, such as being able to read barcodes and provide inspections simultaneously.

October 1, 2011

Cognex In-Sight Explorer 4.5 expands the capabilities of In-Sight vision systems and gives In-Sight the most advanced inspection tools available, the company said. In-Sight Explorer 4.5 inspection tools include an all-in-one edge and surface inspection tool, an all-in-one bead width and position tool, and a robust ID tool that reads multiple codes at one time, allowing In-Sight cameras to read barcodes and provide inspections simultaneously. 

The new Flexible Flaw Detection (FFD) edge and surface inspection tool works for both color and grayscale applications and is used to inspect for boundary defects, such as conformity of shape, and surface defects like stains and scratches. FFD can also be used for print inspections, like inspecting screened logos for defects. FFD also gives users the flexibility to select accuracy versus speed requirements and the ability to ignore defects during system run time.

"Normal process variation causes false rejects without flex tools," said Bhaskar Banerjee, Business Unit Manager for Cognex Vision Systems. "Our new Flex Flaw Detection tool provides a more accurate inspection that overcomes errors from lens and perspective distortion, scale changes, print registration errors, and stretch from line scan images in one easy tool."

In-Sight Explorer 4.5 also reportedly includes two new EasyBuilder user interface tools, Bead Finder and Bead Tracker. Bead Finder and Bead Tracker are easy-to-use tools that find positional defects and width-based defects and gaps, and also provide all bead data needed for process control.

ReadIDMax was also added to In-Sight Explorer 4.5. ReadIDMax is based on the powerful and field-proven ID algorithms 1DMax and 2DMax for 1-D barcode and 2-D matrix code reading. ReadIDMax adds the ability to read up to 128 codes at one time regardless of the position of the code in the field-of-view. Now, end users can read multiple codes and inspect parts simultaneously.

In-Sight Explorer 4.5 also includes communication enhancements that include support for CIP-Sync, a precision clock synchronization protocol and UDP communication. In-Sight Explorer 4.5 also reportedly supports sending camera control commands from Mitsubishi PLC using MC-protocol.

In-Sight smart cameras are designed mainly for automated inspection and quality assurance across a wide range of industries. In-Sight vision systems can reportedly be integrated with any factory network or automation control system and feature an optional operator display panel for monitoring the runtime operation of any In-Sight vision system on the network.

www.cognex.com

Cognex Corporation

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