Machine Vision

 

Basler's eXcite intelligent camera series now supports release 7.1.1 of HALCON from MVTec Software GmbH, Munich, Germany. The eXcite intelligent camera family merges Basler's superior digital camera technology and a 1.0 GHz Linux PC in one small housing. This single device offers the capability of both capturing and processing images based on your C++ software application. The eXcite series includes models with VGA to 2 megapixel resolution and can capture images at up to 180 frames per second (fps).The integrated 1.0 GHz embedded PC runs a Linux operating system and provides the power for complex, high-speed image processing.

HALCON is an extensive software library for industrial image processing that contains more than 1150 operations and offers outstanding performance in applications such as blob analysis, morphology, pattern matching, metrology, 3D calibration, and binocular stereo vision, to name just a few. With the newest HALCON release, speed improvements of up to 200% are possible.

The exceptional adaptability of HALCON Embedded to the eXcite’s hardware ensures that the full functionality of HALCON is available for use on the eXcite. Existing HALCON applications can simply be reused. During new application development with HALCON’s HDevelop interactive development tools, the eXcite provides all camera functions remotely via a TCI/IP connection. You can grab images in real time and develop your image processing application by applying different HALCON operations. By viewing the results as intermediate images, you can easily optimize your processes.

Once image processing application development with HDevelop is finished, your code must be converted to an eXcite C++ application. HDevelop’s C++ export generator provides the input for Eclipse, Basler’s suggested Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for the eXcite. Eclipse is open source software and is included in the tool collection on eXcite's Software Development Kit (SDK) CD. The step from code to application is just a simple click of Eclipse's Build button.

After finishing the development process, your application can be copied to the eXcite and you can run the eXcite as a stand alone inspection system without being connected to a PC. The eXcite's versatile interface includes USB 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and digital I/O connections. You can, for example, feed calculated results directly from an eXcite into a production process and trigger removal of defective parts from an assembly line. Graphical output can be realized with a local display connected to the eXcite's USB interface or via a LAN connection to a normal PC (client-server application).

The combination of Basler’s eXcite and “HALCON Embedded for eXcite” is a powerful solution for demanding applications. The camera and software can be purchased as a bundle via Basler’s standard sales channels.