Camera vision sensor sees the full spectrum of colours for reliable presence detection

Citation

(2005), "Camera vision sensor sees the full spectrum of colours for reliable presence detection", Sensor Review, Vol. 25 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/sr.2005.08725bad.005

Camera vision sensor sees the full spectrum of colours for reliable presence detection

Camera vision sensor sees the full spectrum of colours for reliable presence detection

Keywords: Colour, Sensors

The new CVS1 colour vision sensor from Sick offers a simple yet effective solution to complex quality control applications where the ability to distinguish rather than simply detect colours is required. Because the CVS1 is able to check the amount of a selected colour or a number of colours in the field of view it is ideal for inspection, verification and sorting in a wide range of high speed production and packaging applications, where conventional single point colour sensors have failed (see Plate 5).

Plate 5 The new CVS1 colour vision sensor from Sick

The CVS1 is ideal in situations where the colour to be detected is not always in the same position, where multiple colours need to be detected on the same product or where the same sensor needs to check many products with different colours. The many possible applications include ensuring the correct label has been applied in the right place, checking the fill level of coloured liquids, detecting the presence of the correct cap and ensuring the right colour LED has been used.

Up to 16 different sets of parameters can be stored in the CVSl's memory, and as each set can be selected via a trigger input, it can automatically handle rapid product changeovers.

Each set of detection parameters is easily entered with a “teach-in” procedure that allows the user to position a mask over the colour or colours to be detected using the built-in colour display and keypad. Remote displays and keypads are available for applications such as packaging machinery, where the CVS1 is embedded within the machine.

The CVS1 uses an RGB sensor to capture the images, allowing it to count the number of pixels of each colour detected and compare this with the number expected in the current parameter set. Tolerances can be programmed and subsequently edited by the user to minimise detection errors.

Three versions of the CVS1 are available offering scanning distances of 50-100mm, 90-150mm and 210- 270mm, and with wide field of vision and large depth of focus all provide maximum flexibility in positioning. Measuring just 95mm high, 42mm wide and 34mm deep – including the built-in light source – and weighing 180g, the CVS1 is easy to mount when space is tight. Rated IP67 and able to operate in temperatures between 0 and 408C it is also able to cope with arduous industrial environments.

Complex quality control and inspection tasks involving multiple colours have proven difficult to handle for conventional sensors, but now the CVS1 from Sick provides a compact, easy to use solution for these most challenging of applications.

For more information, please contact: Ann Attridge or Andrea Hornby, Erwin Sick Ltd. E-mail: info@sick.co.uk; web site: www.sick.co.uk