imaging and machine vision europe june/july 2010 www.imveurope.com


contents imaging EUROPE and machine vision 16 3D vision


leader Greg Blackman


4 News 10 Food and agriculture contents News


Latest news from around the world Profi le


Warren Clark talks to Sony’s Image Sensing Solutions Europe division on the advantages of operating as part of a much larger company


Working the land


Greg Blackman examines some of the vision applications being used in agriculture and food sorting


On the road again


Stephen Mounsey on where vision is used in automotive production Another dimension


Greg Blackman looks at some of the technologies used for 3D imaging Product focus: peripherals


The latest releases of peripheral imaging components Distributor update


News and products from vision distributors Products


The latest products from around the world Q&A


Colin Pearce, CEO, Active Silicon Cover: Montage by Dan Taylor


SUBSCRIPTIONS: Free registrations available to qualifying individuals. Subscriptions £170 a year for six issues to readers outside registration requirements. Orders to Imaging and Machine Vision Europe, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK. Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170. Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107. ©2010 Europa Science Ltd.


Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this magazine, errors or omissions are not the responsibility of the publishers or of the editorial staff. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers or editorial staff.


All rights reserved. Unless specifi cally stated, goods or services mentioned are not formally endorsed by Imaging and Machine Vision Europe, which does not guarantee or endorse or accept any liability for any goods and/or services featured in this publication.


14 16 20 22 24 30 10 4 8


Traceability for industrial production lines really came about with the development of the data matrix code, which is often engraved in the component. In terms of automotive production lines, data matrix codes are now used to track just about every single component, whether that’s a piston, a crank shaft, or an engine, as the vehicle is assembled. This allows any faulty batches to be quarantined to ensure further work is not carried out on a part with a defective component. Data matrix codes also allow parts to be matched according to machining tolerances, so that components fi t together well and produce a high-performance vehicle. Using vision for track and trace on automotive production lines, along with other areas in vehicle manufacture, is discussed by Stephen Mounsey in his article on page 14. Elsewhere in this issue, the article on page


10 looks at where imaging is fi nding a use in agriculture, a tough environment for machine vision to operate in. Examples covered range from automated weeding systems to inspecting and grading fruit. The article on page 16 details the various technologies surrounding 3D vision, something which is used heavily in both automotive and agricultural environments. Lastly, don’t forget to sign up to our regular e-mail newsletters, IMVENewsline and IMVEProductline, for the latest news and product launches. Both are sent out monthly and can be subscribed to for free at www.imveurope.com/subscribe


EDITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE TEAM


Editor Warren Clark (editor.imaging@europascience.com) Tel: +44 (0)1223 211196 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107


Deputy editor Greg Blackman (greg.blackman@europascience.com) Tel: +44 (0)1223 211185 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107


Assistant editor Stephen Mounsey (stephen.mounsey@europascience.com) Tel: +44 (0)1223 211289 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107


Circulation/readership enquiries Viv Ruskin (subs.imaging@europascience.com) Tel: +44 (0)1223 211147


ADVERTISING TEAM Advertising sales manager Eleanor Waters (eleanor.waters@europascience.com)


Tel: +44 (0)1223 211150 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107 Advertising production Jennie Caley (jennie.caley@europascience.com)


Tel: +44 (0)1223 477411 Fax: +44 (0)1223 327356 CORPORATE TEAM


Chairman Dr Tom Wilkie (tom.wilkie@europascience.com) Publishing director Warren Clark (warren.clark@europascience.com) Imaging and Machine Vision Europe is published by Europa Science Ltd, The Spectrum Building, The Michael Young Centre, Purbeck Road, Cambridge CB2 8PD, UK Tel: +44 (0)1223 211170 Fax: +44 (0)1223 211107 Web: www.europascience.com ISSN: 1745-5758


Not your copy? Subscribe online for FREE at www.imveurope.com/subscribe


3


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32