Machine Vision Software runs on Pentium® PC and Windows®
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Press Release Summary:
Enhancements to DT Vision Foundry(TM) v3.5 include bar code, networking, script, and image matching functions. Data Matrix Tool analyzes 2D bar codes in 360° rotation, no matter if images are distorted, blurred, or water damaged. Applications can network with other DCOM-based applications using DTiX® Information Exchange. Point and Click Script Tool has 38 tools to graphically create scripts. Match Tool correlates percentage score between 2 images.
Original Press Release:
Data Translation Announces Powerful News Tools for Machine Vision
MARLBORO, Mass., June 17, 2002 - Data Translation®, Inc. [NASDAQ: DATX today announced DT Vision Foundry(TM) 3.5, the latest release of its flagship machine vision software. DT Vision Foundry's powerful new functionality for image-processing, measurement, analysis and data transfer operations let users create fast, production-ready inspection programs and customized vision tools. DT Vision Foundry's new tools and features include the following:
- The 2D Data Matrix Tool analyses 2D bar codes in 360 degrees rotation, no matter if the images are distorted, blurred or water damaged - with processing speeds between two to nine milliseconds.
- Applications built with DT Vision Foundry can now network with other DCOM-based applications using Data Translation's Information Exchange (DTiX®). Included in DTiX is the DT Remote feature, which loads and unloads a DT Vision Foundry executable running in the background behind the user interface (created with Visual Basic® or Visual C++®). DT Remote also lets users start and stop scripts remotely. This is critical in industries where remote start and stop is preferred because of safety and contamination concerns.
- The Polar Unwrap Tool re-maps images with round objects into linear or rectangular objects for fast computation.
- The Point and Click Script Tool features 38 powerful tools to graphically create scripts. Users can also code custom tools or custom applications using API calls.
- The Match Tool correlates a percentage score between two images (such as product and golden) and compares that score to the golden standard. The tool reports the percentage of the difference between the two images.
- The Enhanced Digital I/O Tool enables external pass/fail event control. This tool supports current and new Data Translation digital I/O boards, such as the PCI DT351 and the high-speed, multifunction DT3162 Mach II Frame Grabber, for easier access to all digital I/O capabilities of the hardware.
- The Device Manager feature lets users set-up device settings for all input devices in one central location for easy maintenance. The option to add third-party settings is also included.
- Dockable toolbars allow users to place the tools anywhere within the application for easy access.
"The objective in machine vision is to increase the quality of goods inspected," said Fred Molinari, president, founder and CEO of Data Translation. "The latest release of DT Vision Foundry adds powerful new tools for a variety of inspection challenges. The most appealing aspect of DT Vision Foundry is that anyone can use it - whether the customer is a non-programmer who needs an easy solution for an inspection problem, or a sophisticated programmer who wants to create custom vision tools."
DTiX: Remote Load/Start/Stop Script on the Production Line
Data Translation's DTiX is a peer-to-peer communication system that simplifies the complexity of integrating both vision and sensor-based measurements. It has been enhanced with distribution capabilities via the DT Remote feature so users can start or stop DT Vision Foundry applications over a network. Because of safety and contamination issues, this feature is very important in certain industries such as semiconductor manufacturing where operations must take place inside cleanrooms. In addition, users can create custom GUIs using Visual Basic or Visual C++ on top of DT Vision Foundry applications and activate their application from one button.
Increased Throughput and Yield
Industries such as telecommunications, semiconductor and PCB manufacturing are using 2D bar code technology to condense more packaging information in the form of a matrix, rather than a vertical bar. DT Vision Foundry's 2D Data Matrix Tool lets users build applications that can read this next-generation technology. The 2D Data Matrix Tool also performs more accurate readings of distorted images such as blurred or water-damaged images from any 360-degree angle. Working at high speeds, the tool can process images between two to nine milliseconds.
Included in the 2D Matrix Tool is DT Vision Foundry's auto-correction feature. This feature flags and corrects 2D bar code errors detected on product packaging that are not related to the packaging itself. For example, the effects of ambient lighting can obscure images during inspection. This feature provides users with a built-in level of intelligence, so manufacturers can make adjustments to the production line environment for increased accuracy. These images can also be processed within seven to nine milliseconds.
The Polar Unwrap Tool converts circular images into linear ones for easy measurement. For example, labels on circular bottle caps can be difficult for existing tools to read. This tool allows users to unwrap the letters into a straight line for easy scanning.
The new Match Tool compares two images and correlates their accuracy. This capability is important during production time -- for example -- when the images on the golden master must match the images processed on the production line.
The Enhanced Digital I/O Tool is a universal tool for all Data Translation digital I/O boards. In particular, this new release of DT Vision Foundry supports Data Translation's PCI DT351 digital I/O board and the company's recently released DT3162 Mach II high-performance Frame Grabber.
The new Device Manager centralizes the device settings of all input devices, such as frame grabbers, digital and serial I/O boards, channels and settings, pixel rates, clocks, etc. for easy maintenance. Once saved, these settings can be easily changed to include different devices.
DT Vision Foundry 3.5 also comes with an extensive library of vision and image processing tools to quickly build ready-to-run graphical applications. Users can also code their own scripts using API calls and add them to the toolbar. They can also dock the toolbar anywhere on the desktop to increase productivity.
Availability, Pricing and System Requirements
DT Vision Foundry 3.5 is available for immediate order with delivery within 30 days, and is priced at $3495. System requirements are: IBM PC compatible (Pentium® with Triton PCI chip set or better recommended); Windows® 2000/XP operating systems; 32 MB RAM; SVGA monitor 100 MB of free hard disk space; PCI interface slots required for frame grabber support; CD-ROM drive; Sound card (optional for multimedia online help); and Visual C/C++ 5.0 (optional for creating custom tools and applications).
Support
Data Translation provides complete technical support for all its products. Support is also available 24x7 via Data Translation's Website at www.datatranslation.com. DT Vision Foundry includes an extensive library of application examples and tutorials as well as online help. Also on the Website is the Machine Vision Solution Center, which includes application examples, tutorials, whitepapers, feasibility studies and links to Data Translation's frame grabbers.
About Data Translation
Data Translation, Inc. [NASDAQ: DATX is a world leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of high performance data acquisition, imaging, machine vision, and digital video hardware and software systems. Founded in 1973 and headquartered in Marlboro, Mass., the ISO 9001-certified company has a worldwide presence, with distribution in more than 40 countries and subsidiaries in Germany and the UK. A commitment to open systems and total quality solutions is the hallmark of Data Translation. Information about Data Translation and its products can be found at www.datatranslation.com.
Data Translation is a registered trademark, and DT Vision Foundry and DTiX are trademarks of Data Translation. Windows, Visual Basic and Visual C++ are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation, and Pentium is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Other marks and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
