Machine Vision Camera provides high resolution images.

Press Release Summary:



Tiny CDC-100 digital CMOS camera provides 1,280 x 1,024 resolution for machine vision applications. It performs direct 1:1 conversion of digitized image, providing low noise images with no pixel jitter. For applications requiring high speed acquisition, CDC-50 standard format 640 x 480 resolution digital camera can capture full-frame images at rates of up to 60 frames per second. Like CDC-100 camera, it is suited for use on robotic arms.



Original Press Release:


Cognex Introduces World's Smallest High Resolution Digital CMOS Machine Vision Camera


NATICK, MA, December 12, 2001--Cognex Corporation (NASDAQ - CGNX), the world's leading supplier of machine vision systems, today introduced the CDC-100, the world's smallest high- resolution (1280x1024) digital CMOS camera designed specifically for machine vision applications. Roughly half the size and weight of conventional machine vision cameras, the new camera merges high-performance digital camera technology with low-cost CMOS image sensing, enabling the cost-effective use of high resolution imaging in a broad range of vision applications.

"Although large format digital cameras offer a number of advantages over analog cameras, such as better image quality and the ability to view more part features with a single camera, the traditionally high price of these cameras has greatly limited their use in manufacturing environments," said Justin Testa, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Cognex. "By leveraging CMOS sensor technology, the CDC-1 00 now makes it possible to have high resolution imaging without the high cost."

For applications requiring high speed acquisition, Cognex also offers the new CDC-50 standard format (640x480 resolution) digital camera. The CDC-50 is able to capture full-frame images at rates of up to 60 frames per second, and, like the CDC-100 camera, is ideally sized for use on robotic arms, as well as in space-constrained environments.

The CDC-100 and CDC-50 digital cameras perform a direct 1:1 conversion of the digitized image, providing low noise images with no "pixel jitter". This provides the machine vision system with better image data for making decisions, such as where an object is located and whether it is defective, thus maximizing the performance of industry-leading Cognex vision software technology. A configurable ROI (region of interest) feature enables users to optimize camera performance by selecting and acquiring a limited region of interest within an image.

The CDC-100 and CDC-50 cameras are designed for use with Cognex's new MVS-8100D frame grabber. The 8100D features a full library of proven vision software tools, including Cognex's industry-leading PatMax® technology for locating objects despite changes in angle, scale, or appearance. Available in one, two, and three channel configurations, the 8100D enables interchangeability of any combination of up to three CDC-50 and CDC-100 cameras, eliminating the need to purchase multiple frame grabbers for different camera types. Asynchronous acquisition support enables each camera to accept triggers and acquire images independently of one another.

The CDC-50 and CDC-100 cameras and MVS-8100D digital frame grabber will be available from Cognex in Ql 2002. Cognex Corporation designs, develops, manufactures, and markets machine vision systems, or computers that can "see". Cognex is the world's leader in the machine vision industry, having shipped to date more than 150,000 machine vision systems, representing over $1 billion in cumulative revenue, since the company's founding in 1981. Cognex's Modular Vision Systems Division, headquartered in Natick, Massachusetts, specializes in machine vision systems which are used for automating the manufacture of a wide range of discrete items and for assuring their quality.

Cognex's Surface Inspection Systems Division, headquartered in Alameda, California, specializes in machine vision systems which are used for inspecting the surfaces of products that are manufactured in a continuous fashion, such as metals, paper, and plastics. In addition to its corporate headquarters in Natick, Massachusetts, Cognex also has regional offices located throughout North America, Japan, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

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