The Components of a Vision System
What is a vision system?
Vision systems can use hardware, software, and programming to transmit information to machines and robots. thereby controlling them. We humans also have a type of vision system, namely our brain. In contrast to human vision, image processing systems require several components to create images and interpret them:
Camera
Lens
Illumination
Interface, including cables
Processing hardware
Software
Finding the right camera
The requirements for each vision system are individual, so it is important to select the right camera for the application in question. Basler's portfolio offers a wide range of industrial cameras, including area scan cameras, line scan cameras, and 3D cameras. These cameras are available as monochrome or color cameras. Monochrome cameras only capture objects in grayscale and are sufficient for many applications, as they can display binary color differences when combined with the right light source. The use of color cameras, on the other hand, makes sense when different colors need to be captured and compared.
In addition to the camera type, the sensor and lens also play an important role in the image quality.
Lens
To get a sharp picture, you not only need a good camera, but also the right lensto go with it. Finding this ideal lens is not always easy: individual lenses differ not only in their resolution, focal length, and size, but also in their design. To help you make the right choice and share the key criteria for selecting a lens, we have summarized the most important points in this article: How to find the right lens for your camera
Lighting
Well-chosen illumination has an influence on the display quality of an image processing system—and therefore on its performance. Choosing the right lighting depends on which object features you want to make visible. The properties of the object being viewed also play a role: what material is it made of? Does it reflect or absorb the light? What kind of structure, geometry, and color is it? Furthermore, the state of motion as well as existing lighting conditions and the distance to the object all influence the choice of lighting. You can find more information about lighting and its role in a vision system in our article Lighting in image processing.
Finding the right interface
Once the camera has captured images, this information must be passed on—this is the only way downstream systems can interpret the data and then move machines. Interfaces make this data transfer possible.
The Basler Interface Advisor helps you to find the right interface for your application.
Processing hardware
Using a normal computer for industrial image processing has some disadvantages: these computers are often not compact enough and require additional hardware and software for image processing. Compact and simple solutions are therefore in demand in the industry, including:
Intelligent cameras: These cameras have a computer already integrated in the housing, making them space-saving and easy to integrate. The image processing software is also already integrated.
Embedded computers: These computers are integrated into a machine or system and have a specific task to perform. This makes them particularly small, but also less powerful.
Modular microprocessor systems: These specialized computers are divided into different modules and are scalable. This allows them to be flexibly configured or replaced if, for example, a more powerful module is required.
Software
In addition to the hardware, a vision system also requires adequate software. The image processing software determines which tasks are carried out with the camera images. Different software is used depending on the complexity of the task.
For simple tasks, the software can often be programmed and implemented directly by the user. For more complex tasks, such as fully automated production monitoring, a customized software solution is usually required.
Basler offers a variety of software solutions for image processing, from our powerful pylon Software Suite to Visual Applets for visual FPGA programming, to software modules for robotics tasks.
Vision systems for all application areas
Vision systems are complex structures that and must fulfill different requirements for each application. You should therefore define exactly what your objective is before putting together your vision system. Modern image processing systems are used in medical technology, traffic guidance and control, quality control, and in the retail sector. Basler offers the right solution for any application you face, which can also be customized to fit your needs.
Our products for your Vision System
Use our Vision System Configurator and easily assemble your complete vision system.
