Vision appliance from Coreco’s `ipd’ simplifies gauging

Billerica, MA—Coreco Imaging's Intelligent Products Division, 'ipd,' released Nov. 19 its iGauge, which is the first product in its line of user-friendly, task-specific vision appliances.

By Control Engineering Staff November 27, 2002

Billerica, MA— Coreco Imaging’s Intelligent Products Division, ‘ipd,’ released Nov. 19 its iGauge, which is the first product in its line of user-friendly, task-specific vision appliances. Reportedly combining ease of use, accuracy, and a robust feature set in a small package, iGauge is suited for applications requiring precise optical measurements, including point positions, lines, angles, hole diameter and roundness.

‘In keeping with the philosophy behind our vision appliances, iGauge brings a new level of simplicity to applications that have traditionally required experienced developers, integrators and users,’ says Steve Geraghty, Coreco’s vp and ipd’s director. ‘iGauge is a plug-and-play, pre-packaged gauging solution that allows manufacturers to realize the proven benefits of machine vision technology with a minimum investment in expertise, training, and time.’

Users are guided through a series of setup screens that allow them to:

  • Start, load, or import a previously configured solution;

  • Adjust sensor focus, brightness, and contrast to achieve optimum image settings;

  • Calibrate to real-world coordinates;

  • Define gauging tasks by making measurements on automatically extracted edge points that become visible as the mouse is moved across an image;

  • Formulate decisions via a table based on user-defined inspection criteria for output controls;

  • Record images and/or inspection parameters for process debug and analysis; and

  • Configure inputs that trigger inspection events or outputs that control external equipment, such as PLCs and rejectors.

The product provides measurements to within 0.1 pixel on either fixed or rotationally oriented parts. It automatically compensates for lighting and contrast variations, and for lens and perspective distortion. It is housed in a rugged, industrial enclosure rated for 50 °C operating environments and can execute up to 1,800 measurements per minute.

Users access iGauge through a standard web browser, enabling them to configure, remotely monitor, and debug applications. A dedicated display output allows users to focus the camera and perform a runtime check prior to running the application.

Control Engineering Daily News Desk
Gary A. Mintchell, senior editor
gmintchell@reedbusiness.com