Vision 2024: SICK presents portfolio of varied and smart options

3D image processing (high-speed in particular) and artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly becoming an indispensable tool for more and better automation. Functionality for easy setup, operation and evaluation, even for those with little experience in the area of image processing, is especially important in this area. Both technologies increase the quality of processes and products and boost the performance and productivity of machines and robots. “For users, both expert and novice, this means more efficiency and flexibility, reduced downtimes, optimal results, and lower resource usage,” summarizes Sven Sattler, Team Leader Machine Vision Solutions, Customer Project Engineering at SICK Vertriebs-GmbH in Düsseldorf. “We are addressing exactly these customer needs with the portfolio that we are presenting at VISION 2024.”

 

 

The Ranger3 High-Speed Color is the latest variant of the successful Ranger product family of 3D cameras from SICK. Developed for production environments with high throughputs, the streaming camera features an optional 2.5 Gbit/s network interface, 3D profiles at up to 69 kHz, 2D line scans in 5120-pixel RGB color and grayscale, and 3D, reflection and scattered light measurement data all from one device. Responsible for the exceptional image quality is a CMOS sensor with ROCC (Rapid On-Chip Calculation) technology from SICK that is distinguished by its outstanding 3D performance. The camera determines the true 3D shape of an object regardless of its contrast or color, thereby helping ensure the higher quality of many products. The next generation Ranger3 enables even higher speed and RGB high-resolution line scan functionality. A standardized, Gigabit Ethernet Vision-compliant communication interface is available for data transmission.

 

 

With its new compact Ruler3002, 3004 and 3010 cameras, SICK is presenting at Vision 2024 high-resolution 3D streaming cameras for demanding image processing applications in the industrial and electronics sectors. Thanks to their fine height resolution in the micrometer range, they extend the possibilities of the Ruler3000 product family by enabling even the smallest details to be captured, as required when inspecting electronics and consumer goods assemblies, printed circuit boards and semiconductors. Thanks to ROCC (Rapid On-Chip Calculation) technology, the 3D sensors can capture object details even at high speeds, which enables inspection tasks to be performed on objects in a time-saving manner, measured values to be made available for process control, and throughputs to be increased accordingly. Further highlights of the new factory-calibrated generation of 3D cameras are their compliance with the GigE Vision and GenICam image processing standards, which enable them to be inexpensively and easily integrated into systems and machines, and their ease of commissioning and high level of user-friendliness.

 

 

The compact Visionary-T Mini 3D snapshot cameras from SICK are setting standards for 3D vision sensors of their kind in regard to design, data quality and cost effectiveness. Furthermore, with their excellent data quality they are meeting the essential requirements of industrial 3D machine vision. The advanced 3D time-of-flight technology delivers precise depth and intensity data for each pixel – even with strong light-dark contrasts and a wide snapshot capture area. Thanks to the very short image capture time, the Visionary-T Mini delivers extremely precise data even for moving objects. A clearly structured configuration software makes it easy to parameterize the device and flexibly adapt the data to the specific application. Freight measurement for storage space optimization, position monitoring for robot guidance, collaborative man-machine scenarios in smart factories, or driver assistance for collision avoidance are just a few examples of the types of industrial applications that can be solved with the Visionary-T Mini.

 

 

Rule- and tool-based machine vision combined, if necessary, with AI-assisted deep learning for which the user requires no expert knowledge – with this combination SICK Nova is opening up new possibilities in machine vision. As a software basis with an intuitive UX design for configuring customized 2D and 3D vision solutions, SICK Nova makes it possible to simply and easily implement demanding applications for presence monitoring, quality control, and intelligent inspection even without specialist knowledge. SICK Nova is available for a variety of vision sensors from SICK – including also the Ruler3000 and Visionary-T Mini – as well as their different image processing technologies in the form of hardware-specific SensorApps. SICK Nova enables applications in the area of machine vision to be implemented with ease in a web browser using a point and click configuration. This gives users the flexibility to combine image processing tools and integrate them as needed to solve applications. You can also download additional tools or even develop your own. This makes it possible to quickly and conveniently extend the functional scope to suit the particular application. As a scalable software toolkit for custom image processing applications, SICK Nova ensures the solutions are cost-effective and future-proof and ideally support the digitalization efforts in a wide variety of industries and application areas.

 

... is cordially invited to visit the SICK VISION stand (Hall 10, Booth D41). Heike Malinowski, Public Relations Specialist at SICK Vertriebs-GmbH, will be available to editors to answer any questions or queries on the first two days of the trade fair (October 8-9, 2024). Appointments can be arranged in advance of the trade fair – as well as with sensor and vision experts from SICK for the entire duration of the trade fair at heike.malinowski@sick.de.