(QuantumVision: Roswell, GA) -- The Hammerhead 3-D machine vision system from QuantumVision Corp., which designs, manufactures, and implements custom machine vision solutions, provides stereo vision without multiple cameras. The Hammerhead measures 6 in. × 2.37 in. × 1.4 in. and includes two image sensors, integrated environmental control for cold-temperature applications, Ethernet, power over Ethernet (PoE), RS-232, RS-422/485, USB, and industrial digital I/O. Synchronization of the left and right image sensors is automatically handled by the hardware. It can address security and surveillance, robotic pick and place, vehicle guidance, quality assurance, sorting, material handling, and optical gauging applications. The system can improve 2-D image processing with a library of algorithms that include 1-D and 2-D barcodes, linear measurement tools, and pattern matching.
Simplifying image processing is easy with 3-D stereo vision. Even if 3-D is not “needed,” it can vastly improve 2-D processing, says Robert Blenis, QuantumVision’s CEO. This new approach takes image processing to the next level. Anywhere that 2-D vision is used, 3-D vision will be superior. It streamlines and makes more efficient 2-D processing. For example, 3-D depth information can filter out portions of the image that are not in the target range, i.e., foreground and background clutter. All that remains are the pixels of interest, greatly reducing the complexity of object identification and location, speeding up image processing and improving the robustness of the application.
Rather than relying on multiple cameras to gain stereo vision, the Hammerhead integrates all processing into a single system. It is a simple-to-use, robust technology.
The imagers can be two 1.3 megapixel grayscale imagers, two 3.1 megapixel color imagers, or a custom version with two 5 megapixel color or grayscale imagers. Typically, the system is configured with both imagers using the same focal length lenses, but in some applications, it can be beneficial to use different lenses to obtain better depth of field, or to provide different resolutions for different working distances.
For extreme environments, a wash-down version is available, including an integrated heater to handle refrigerated and freezer applications.
The Hammerhead runs Linux 2.6 on an ARM CPU and uses a DSP for enhanced image processing performance. The SDK supports development in C/C++ using the open source GNU tool chain, as well as Python 2.6. Standard communication protocols such as FTP, HTTP, XML-RPC, Telnet, and SSH are supported. Systems come with the complete QuantumVision image processing library. Typical 2-D algorithms include 1-D and 2-D barcodes, linear measurement tools, and pattern matching.
Original equipment (OEM) custom applications are ideally suited to the Hammerhead. QuantumVision, as an OEM technology provider, seeks to be “the vision” partner for OEMs.
QuantumVision Corp. manufactures, designs, and implements custom machine vision solutions for almost every industry. Working with OEMs and integrators, the company specializes in the most challenging projects and in markets new to vision. All relationships with customers are constructed differently, respective of the customer’s need rather than a prescribed way of doing things. Located in Roswell, Georgia, QuantumVision Corp. was founded by engineers from DVT Corp. in 2005.
