Cognex expands vision sensor capabilities with automatic ID tools

Citation

(2001), "Cognex expands vision sensor capabilities with automatic ID tools", Assembly Automation, Vol. 21 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2001.03321cad.015

Cognex expands vision sensor capabilities with automatic ID tools

Cognex expands vision sensor capabilities with automatic ID toolsKeywords: Cognex, Product development, Systems, Software development

Cognex, one of the world's leading suppliers of machine vision systems, has announced that it has added high-speed part identification software tools to In-Sight 2000 – the company's award-winning low-cost, standalone vision sensor (see Plate 14). The new tools, which can read 1D barcodes and 2D data matrix codes, will help manufacturers improve part traceability and process control in a number of industries including automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, consumer products, and packaging.

"Hundreds of manufacturers worldwide are currently experiencing great success using In-Sight 2000 to measure, inspect, and guide the handling of parts. Many of these companies now want to add reading capabilities to improve part traceability and inventory control throughout the manufacturing process", said Justin Testa, senior vice president of marketing for Cognex. "The new In-Sight 1D tools provide fast, reliable identification on everything from degraded 2D codes on fuel injectors to linear barcodes on soda bottles."

Plate 14 In-Sight™ 2000 2D and 1D barcode reading tools can read up to 50 codes per second

In-Sight's new ID tools support a variety of commonly used code formats including ECC200 2D Data Matrix and Interleaved 2-of-5, Code 3-of-9, and Code 128 barcodes. Utilising highly robust identification software algorithms, In-Sight is able to provide reliable reading performance on low-contrast, poorly formed codes that result from process degradations, as well as from marking techniques such as dot-peen marking and laser etching. Additionally, In-Sight is able to monitor the quality of 2D marks as it reads, providing process feedback to operators about how, for example, a peen marker is performing so that pins can be replaced if necessary.

Combined with In-Sight's high-speed DSP processing, the new ID tools can read up to 50 codes per second – even when code patterns vary in position or orientation from part to part. This is of particular benefit in many high-speed packaging applications, such as the identification of bottles, where packages may rotate on the line.

Requiring no programming, In-Sight allows users with basic spreadsheet skills to quickly and easily set up ID applications, and then make modifications on the fly during product change-overs. Using a series of simple drop down menus and dialogue boxes, users can select the code type and set up parameters based on code quality, part surface characteristics, and line speed.

In addition to the new ID tools, In-Sight 2000 features a full library of image processing and analysis tools including the revolutionary PatFind™ tool for locating parts despite changes in part orientation, scale and appearance. The deployment kit includes the In-Sight processor with all vision software pre-installed, hand-held control pad, and high speed digital camera. Cognex also offers a choice of optional LED-based lighting modules for illuminating a wide range of part types.

For further information please contact Geoff Collins, Cognex UK, Units 7-9, First Quarter, Blenheim Road, Epsom KT19 9QN, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1372 726150; Fax: +44 (0)1372 726276; E-mail: gcollins@cognex.com