With its new uEye™ XS, IDS is launching the next generation of machine vision cameras, one that merges the convenient operation of a consumer digital still camera with the versatility of a full-featured industrial camera. Interactive kiosk systems, embedded systems, and applications in medical technology, microscopy, and access control will all benefit from this revolutionary new camera design.
"Like the digital still cameras consumers snap photos with at home, the affordable uEye™ XS has numerous automatic functions, so it is amazingly easy to operate, yet it produces an excellent image even under difficult lighting and ambient conditions," said Daniel Seiler, Chief Operating Officer, IDS Imaging Development Systems, Woburn, MA. "It really is the best of both worlds."
Weighing a mere 12 grams and measuring a compact 23 x 26.5 x 21.5 mm, the uEye™ XS can be integrated easily into most imaging systems. It connects via standard USB 2.0 and a mini-B socket, and power supply is provided by the bus cable. Its reinforced magnesium housing helps the camera withstand heavy use and demanding environments.
new uEye™ XS, IDS vision cameras.
Professional Grade Imaging
Featuring the 5 megapixel Aptina™ CMOS sensor with a pixel size of 1.4 µm, the uEye™ XS camera delivers detailed, true color images, with a choice of seven fixed image formats ranging from 5 MP (2592 x 1944) to basic VGA (640 x 480). Frame rate is freely adjustable for long or short exposures, and at full 5MB resolution the XS will capture 15 fps. Binning can be used to achieve frame rates as high as 30 fps.
Thanks to an integrated auto focus optical system, the uEye™ XS delivers a crisp image from distances of just 10 cm, either automatically or manually using software. The associated API function also enables the current focus position to be read. A digital zoom allows easy and almost continuous enlargement of smaller sections of the image.
A range of automatic image control functions, including auto white balance, auto gain and auto exposure time, are performed in the camera itself. This considerably reduces the CPU utilization, while also enabling easy processing of the images captured independently of the PC system. With exposure compensation, backlight compensation, photometry and anti-flicker function options, there is huge scope for adapting the automatic image control.
Availability
The cost-effective IDS uEye™ XS camera will be available as a pilot for design-ins and evaluations by the end of May with a full launch set for July. It comes complete with the comprehensive IDS Software suite, including drivers, tools and interfaces to simplify integration into a range of applications.
ABOUT IDS GmbH
IDS GmbH is a leading manufacturer of digital industrial cameras and frame grabbers. The company was founded by Jürgen Hartmann and Armin Vogt in 1997. Their mission then and now is to develop, manufacture and distribute industrial grade imaging components with an excellent price/performance ratio and maximum ease of use. IDS GmbH is internationally represented by a subsidiary in the USA and through a network of distributors in almost all European and Asian countries. About half of IDS employees are engineers in hardware and software development as well as applications engineering. IDS customers include OEMs, system integrators and manufacturers in the industrial, security, scientific and medical industries. Over 200,000 IDS frame grabbers and 140,000 USB and GigE uEye cameras are in use worldwide today.