Point Grey, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of innovative, high-performance digital cameras, today announced its latest innovation in imaging with the Grasshopper3, the world’s first machine vision camera family to combine CCD technology with a USB 3.0 interface.
Grasshopper3 Camera
The first Grasshopper3 camera model, the GS3-U3-28S4, has a maximum frame rate of 26 FPS and features the Sony 2.8 megapixel 1/1.8” ICX687 EXview HAD CCD II sensor. Compared to other CCD and CMOS devices, EXview is known for higher quantum efficiency, reduced smear, and increased near-IR response. A full line-up of Sony CCD-based models is planned for the Grasshopper3 family, including 2.8 2/3”, 6 megapixel, and 9.1 megapixel versions. Like all Point Grey USB 3.0 cameras, the Grasshopper3 is built on an FPGA and frame buffer-based architecture to provide optimal reliability, a rich set of features, and a full image processing pipeline including color interpolation, look up table, gamma correction, pixel binning, and much more.
“The Grasshopper3 camera is designed to meet the growing demand for highly sensitive CCD global shutter technology, a fast and easy-to-use USB 3.0 interface, and a highly competitive price point.” explains Michael Gibbons, Director of Sales and Marketing. Mr. Gibbons adds, “Customers in machine vision and life science want to be able to access the exceptional imaging quality of CCD from a wide range of USB 3.0-enabled desktop, laptop, and embedded computers where other digital interfaces, such as Camera Link, are not an option. The new Grasshopper3 family addresses the needs of these customers, making it ideal for a wide range of applications, including print inspection, 3D measurement, flow-scanning cytometry, and fluorescence imaging.
The Grasshopper3 GS3-U3-28S4 color and monochrome models are list priced at USD $1295 and EUR 995 and are available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors.