Basler ace GigE Cameras Bring Mapvision’s Multi-Camera System into the Digital Realm
- Customer
- Mapvision
- Location
- Finland
- Date
- 2011
Mapvision’s Quality Gate system uses Basler ace GigE cameras to deliver precise, digital 3D inspections in seconds. Up to 100 compact cameras and optimized LED lighting capture every detail for reliable, automated quality control. Power over Ethernet and remote reconfiguration ensure easy integration and flexibility. Affordable, robust, and efficient—Basler ace GigE cameras set a new benchmark for industrial inspection.
Digital precision: Mapvision’s multi-camera “Quality Gate” system
Since 2004, Mapvision has developed their multi-camera “Quality Gate” inspection systems that create and analyze data for 3D quality control of the inspected objects. The Quality Gate system includes an imaging environment and software. Mapvision’s software analyzes the images, checks the objects’ dimensions, and makes sure that all the necessary components are in place. In the spring of 2011, a digital version of the Quality Gate system that includes compact Basler ace GigE cameras was introduced.
Advanced 3D inspection environment
The inspection environment consists of a black room or a cabinet where the walls, floor, and ceiling are equipped with dozens (up to 100) of cameras and lights.
The inspected object, a BMW front frame for example, is taken from the production line to the cabinet. There, the cameras image the object from every side using the optimally designed lighting in the cabinet. Because each camera and each segment of the LED lighting array performs its task according to a precisely specified cycle, imaging takes only a few short seconds.
The software acts as the “brain” of the system, controlling the imaging and performing the 3D image modeling, analysis, and storage.
Solution with Basler ace GigE camera
The functionality of the Quality Gate system was improved by replacing the existing analog cameras with very precise Basler GigE digital cameras.
Benefits of camera and system
The ace cameras are extremely compact and include a Power over Ethernet interface, which reduces the number of required cables and facilitates maintenance and installation.
Ethernet transmission allows control of several dozen cameras via a single piece of software.
Rapid electronic shutter times, programmable within a fraction of a second, allow effective imaging applications on a fast-moving production line.
The cameras and the lights are fixed in the cabinet, but they can be programmed to measure new component variants or products at any time.
Adjustments can be made over the Internet, which saves travel costs and time.
The system also enables a shorter time-to-market for new models, an important competitive advantage in today’s market.
The ace series is particularly attractive due to its affordable price, a feature completely in tune with Mapvision’s design philosophy.
The Quality Gate system is very flexible – now even more so thanks to Basler ace GigE digital cameras.
Basler’s ace series has been a hit product from the start. It includes all the capabilities Mapvision could hope for.
If one of the cameras fails, the system will still be operational. And because the object is imaged from so many angles, the precision will be only slightly reduced.
About Mapvision
Mapvision provides AI quality inspection solutions for automotive manufacturers and Tier 1 suppliers, aiming at ensuring quality assurance and process efficiency through 100% in-line inspection.