Viewpoint: 3D imaging
Torsten Wiesinger, managing director of IDS Imaging Development Systems, comments that improvements in the recording methods and software for 3D imaging are needed to broaden the scope of the technology
T
he market for 3D imaging is complex. Regarding the development, we expect the highest growth rates in robotics,
bin-picking applications, and in the quality assurance. We see high potential in logistics. Above all, I am curious to see how the sector of agriculture will evolve. Just imagine using 3D imaging to get cows automatically milked or fruit automatically harvested. But most of all, we at IDS would like to see more simple applications that you can solve with 2D cameras – but with 3D cameras much faster. As an example, I think of attendance checks in the food industry: ‘Are all cheese-corners in the
box?’ or similar applications. However, I do not think that this will come out in 2015. Tat will take quite a while. Currently, certain applications are still
strongly linked to certain 3D recording methods. Tis means there are lots of complicated special procedures for special applications. In the world of 2D cameras, technology has already reached a universal level. Te challenge is to get there with recording methods in 3D imaging. Soſtware is the
Just imagine
using 3D imaging to get cows automatically milked
other big thing. It needs to evolve generally to make data processing easy to implement for simple applications. With the so-called telecentric height images IDS offers a good option, but it is a challenge to bring this close to our customers. Tat will take some time. Perhaps there will be other, better approaches in the future to use 3D data with little effort even for small, simple applications (e.g. attendance check). When we get this far, 3D cameras will certainly become interesting for end-users.
@imveurope
www.imveurope.com
Terry Arden, CEO of LMI Technologies, says 3D scanning and 3D smart cameras for inspection are two areas that will grow in the coming years
F
or LMI, we have identified two major segments of growth for 3D sensing technology. Te first is the 3D scanning
market where 3D scanners are used to build real world models of objects. Tis involves the assembly of many 3D scans taken from various views to build a fully stitched 3D model. Holes caused by occlusions are filled to create a so-called watertight model. Tis commonly involves the use of fixed LED-based structured light scanners or handheld scanners based on pseudo random dot pattern decoding. Tis scanning segment feeds into various markets such as dental, reverse engineering, 3D printing, CMM metrology, archival, entertainment, and so on. All of these markets require high quality (sub millimetre) 3D models and are in their early adoption phase. LMI is addressing these markets with its HDI 3D scanner product family and FlexScan3D soſtware. Te second segment is the 3D inspection
market where 3D smart sensors are used to scan, measure, and pass or fail parts
So many systems out there require calibration in the field
in an assembly process within a factory. LMI’s Gocator product family offering displacement, profile, and snapshot solutions address a broad field of applications in manufacturing processes such as electronics, rubber and tyre, wood processing, packaging, automotive and aircraſt assembly, food processing, wheel alignment, and so on. Te primary technology is laser triangulation with new opportunities now developing for LED-based structured light. Traditionally, the manufacturing industry has relied on 2D machine vision to verify form and fit of an assembly process in a factory to meet the high tolerances of a quality, finished product. Now, 3D is replacing 2D as the price of a 3D inspection sensor matches that of a comparable
2D smart camera. A 3D inspection sensor combines both contrast and shape to deliver a superior, simpler inspection capability with very high repeatability measuring down to tens of microns. Tis can only be achieved when the light source and camera chip are mechanically mounted in a stable design and then calibrated as a single unit to
20 Imaging and Machine Vision Europe • Yearbook 2014/2015
deliver engineering unit measurement output in an industrial housing. At LMI, we never
refer to our 3D solutions as ‘machine vision’. Customers want a device to verify dimensions or capture 3D shape – not to become machine vision developers. Tis device must be pre-calibrated and ready to deliver data on power up. So many systems out there require calibration in the field. I’m truly amazed that customers accept that responsibility – that is truly the dark ages. At LMI, we have figured out how to pre-calibrate our devices so they will measure correctly over a period of 10 years! Te soſtware to setup and visualise 3D data should be intuitive with a fluid user experience in workflow and response. Tese are the goals we have set for our products to broaden the use of 3D and dismiss the myth that 3D technology is complicated or expensive. We believe that ease of use is just as important as measurement repeatability. Te technology of 3D has been around for years. It’s the implementation and delivery of this technology in a more thoughtful way that empowers a broader audience that matters.
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