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Introduction to Asphere Metrology
This paper outlines the numerous metrology options for aspheres, including how they work, any requirements, and what is specified with each method in an effort to help reasonably tolerance aspheres. (Aug 31, 2009, Optimax Systems, Inc.) |
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Asphere Metrology Chart
This chart provides information and guidelines on the metrology used when measuring an aspheric optical surface. (Aug 31, 2009, Optimax Systems, Inc.) |
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Specifying, Manufacturing and Measuring Aspheric Lens - Part I
This paper gives a basic survey of specifying aspheric forms, their function, and their manufacturing and testing. (Aug 31, 2009, Optimax Systems, Inc.) |
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Specifying, Manufacturing and Measuring Aspheric Lens - Part II
This paper highlights the similarities and differences between tolerancing, manufacturing and measuring spherical and aspheric surfaces. (Aug 31, 2009, Optimax Systems, Inc.) |
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The Cost of Tolerancing
In this paper, methodologies for assessing design robustness and tolerancing optical systems are covered. The analysis shows that for the novice optical engineer, using Optimax Precision Tolerances is a cost effective method to achieve good optical performance. (Aug 31, 2009, Optimax Systems, Inc.) |
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Gigabit Ethernet and Line Scan Cameras - Do They Really Fit?
On a unit-wise basis, a majority of line scan camera applications are still running older 1k and 2k cameras. The market for line scan cameras has been and still is driven by extreme price pressure on camera designs that have been on the market often for five years or more. Most of these designs have reached their limits in terms of performance and cost expectations. Gigabit Ethernet interface technology and line scan camera technology have now built a successful alliance in order to push the capabilities of line scan to a new level. The newest Basler line scan cameras have a GigE interface and have been totally redesigned using the latest electronic components to eliminate the typical bugs or restrictions of the past. The new Basler line scan cameras have much better noise performance compared to recent Basler Camera Link cameras, a higher 12 bit depth, and improved camera features. This white paper reviews the performance improvements made to the new Basler GigE line scan cameras and demonstrates how GigE line scan cameras allow the user reduce overall system cost especially when compared to Camera Link layouts. (Jan 1, 2009, Basler AG) |
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GigE Vision - CPU Load and Latency
GigE Vision has become a powerful, reliable interface in the machine vision marketplace. The GigE Vision standard makes persuasive arguments especially regarding bandwidth, transmission mechanism, reliability, and cable length. But there are still some open questions regarding GigE Vision. Whenever Gigabit Ethernet is discussed in connection with machine vision, CPU usage and latency times in the PC are among the most interesting and controversial topics. Different players in the machine vision industry still must be convinced that the CPU load generated by the use of a GigE transmission mechanism is within acceptable limits. And there are many parameters that have an impact on the latency time of a machine vision application. This white paper describes which parameters have an impact to CPU load and how that load can be minimized. In addition, two scenarios are considered to determine the latency of an application trigger. (Jan 1, 2009, Basler AG) |
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GenlCam - The New Programming Interface Standard for Cameras Can an image processing library use a standardized application programming interface (API) to access any feature implemented in any machine vision camera from any vendor using any interface technology? A group of more than 28 machine vision companies defined a standard called the Generic Interface for Cameras (commonly called the GenICam standard) that allows just such easy access, and they also created a reference implementation. Today all GigE Vision compliant cameras have built-in support for GenICam. Solutions for DCAM compliant 1394 cameras and for Camera Link cameras are also available. This white paper explains the details of the underplaying concepts of GenICam and provides an overview of how GenICam works. (Jan 1, 2009, Basler AG) |
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IEEE 1394 (FireWire) for Industrial Cameras
IEEE 1394 (also called i.Link or FireWire) is an interface dedicated to applications such as industrial automation where high-speed, time-critical, highly reliable data transmission and real-time synchronization with industrial automation are required. FireWire is a digital video serial bus interface standard that specifies cost-effective cabling and is simple in setup and application. Due to the standardization achieved with the DCAM (IIDC) specifications for FireWire, multiple cameras from different vendors can be used on the same bus. This white paper explains the details of FireWire and the reasons why FireWire is the first choice when multiple devices must be synchronized in real-time on a single bus. FireWire has become one of the most accepted interface technologies for digital imaging especially in machine vision, medical imaging, and intelligent traffic systems. (Jan 1, 2009, Basler AG) |
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Tapered Hollow Silica Waveguides for Improved 10.6µm Power Delivery Recently, a new Hollow Silica Waveguide (HSW) was developed at Polymicro Technologies which has a tapered section at the input end to improve the light launch and power handling capability in the mid-infrared region. While large bore (750 - 1000µm ID) waveguides have been shown to transmit over 1000 watts of power, the smaller bores, such as 300µm ID, are limited to significantly lower power levels due in part to the difficulty of launching into the smaller bore. (Dec 2, 2008, Polymicro Technologies, A Subsidiary of Molex Incorporated) |
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The RapidMind Multi-Core Development Platform: for Medical Imaging and Analysis Exploiting multi-core processors and accelerators (such as GPUs) can lead to multiple orders of magnitude of improvement in performance of medical imaging and analysis applications. This potential can make significant differences in the cost, quality, and even kinds of health care that can be provided. RapidMind-enabled application automatically leverages the unique benefits of different processor architectures, and takes advantage of multiple levels or types of parallelization, providing improved performance on one core, multiple cores, multiple processors and accelerators. For example, Dartmouth Medical School used RapidMind and a GPU in elastography image processing for cancer detection. Using the RapidMind platform, analysis results are delivered real-time (1 second). This is an order of magnitude performance improvement over standard implementations. This and other examples are detailed in this paper, demonstrating the tremendous advantage provided by the RapidMind Platform in medical imaging. (May 27, 2008, RapidMind) |
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Machine Vision for Factory Automation Many key tasks in the manufacture of products, including inspection, orientation, identification, and assembly, require the use of visual techniques. Human vision and response, however, can be slow and tend to be error-prone either due to boredom or fatigue. Replacing human inspection with machine vision can go far in automating factory operation, but implementers need to carefully match machine vision options with application requirements. (May 6, 2008, Dalsa) |
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Will a Telecentric Lens Optimize My Machine Vision System? Will a Telecentric Lens Optimize My Machine Vision System, by Edmund Optics®, offers an overview of the benefits for implementing a telecentric lens in a machine vision system. Key topics include parallax removal, constant magnification, working distance and illumination. To learn more visit www.edmundoptics.com or visit our online forum at forum.edmundoptics.com to discuss your next application. (Apr 7, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
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Colour Imaging in Machine Vision Colour imaging is beginning to play a more important role in machine vision. In many cases, colour is the only way to identify objects that are otherwise too similar in greyscale in monochrome imaging. Colour line scan cameras have been widely used in applications such as banknote and cheque scanning, 100% print inspection, electronics and PCB manufacturing, food inspection, tile, wood, textile, and web inspections, et cetera. (Mar 6, 2008, Dalsa) |
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Utilizing Aspheres in Optical Design Utilizing Aspheres in Optical Design, by Edmund Optics®, offers an overview of the advantages in using aspheric lenses in optical design. Key topics include: aberration correction, benefits in design, manufacturing considerations and choosing an asphere. (Feb 29, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
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Cleaning Optics Cleaning Optics, by Edmund Optics®, offers an overview on maintaining the quality and lifetime of optical components. Because improper cleaning practices can damage specialized coatings and polished surfaces, choosing the proper cleaning supplies and using the proper techniques are as important as cleaning the component itself. Included are five tips for handling optics to keep them in good condition as well as materials to use when cleaning lenses, mirrors, micro-lenses and larger optics. (Feb 15, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
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Why Use Edge Blackened Optics Why Use Edge Blackened Optics, by Edmund Optics®, offers an overview on the effects of stray light within imaging and electro-optical systems and how to reduce this performance issue by blackening the edges of the optics. Stray light that scatters off the edges of an optical or mechanical component reaches the sensor in the form of noise rather than signal. Edge blackening controls stray light, maximizes contrast, and improves signal to noise ratio. Illustrations included. (Feb 15, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
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Cleaning Optics Cleaning Optics, by Edmund Optics®, offers an overview on maintaining the quality and lifetime of optical components. Because improper cleaning practices can damage specialized coatings and polished surfaces, choosing the proper cleaning supplies and using the proper techniques are as important as cleaning the component itself. Included are five tips for handling optics to keep them in good condition as well as materials to use when cleaning lenses, mirrors, micro-lenses and larger optics. (Feb 15, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
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Why Use Edge Blackened Optics Why Use Edge Blackened Optics, by Edmund Optics®, offers an overview on the effects of stray light within imaging and electro-optical systems and how to reduce this performance issue by blackening the edges of the optics. Stray light that scatters off the edges of an optical or mechanical component reaches the sensor in the form of noise rather than signal. Edge blackening controls stray light, maximizes contrast, and improves signal to noise ratio. Illustrations included. (Feb 15, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
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Inside Filters Inside Filters, by Edmund Optics®, offers a comprehensive overview of filter terminology and outlines common filters used in a wide variety of photonics applications. Also included are illustrative applications demonstrating improved lens performance and contrast. To learn more, visit www.edmundoptics.com or visit our online forum forum.edmundoptics.us to discuss your next application. (Jan 31, 2008, Edmund Optics) |
