New projection technology provides increased accuracy in 3D imaging

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FlexView projection system improves 3D camera capture

While 3D machine vision has many applications, it is the future for robot vision in particular.

Many applications in robotics and automated serial production can only be satisfactorily implemented using three-dimensional data. This applies equally to challenging assembly processes such as bonding and welding and to the notoriously tricky process of bin-picking and the Ensenso stereo 3D camera offers a cost effective solution for 3D image capture that is precise, cost-efficient and fast.

However, robotics is not the only application where this camera can be used successfully (see below for other applications).

How does the Ensenso 3D stereo cameras work?
Using "projected texture stereo vision" principles, each Ensenso has two integrated CMOS sensors and a projector that throws a random point pattern onto the object in view. This process also works for multi-camera setups and can capture 3D Images on almost texture-less surfaces.

The latest iDS Imaging 3D camera model Ensenso N35 offering the new FlexView projection technology has been released.

Why FlexView makes Ensenso N35 different
Aside from increasing the robustness of the camera to deliver IP65/67 protection, the Ensenso N35 is equipped with the new FlexView projection system. With Flexview, the camera can produce 8 times the resolution with only a small increase in cost.
view Work?
Where cameras without FlexView can only capture a single image pair, the FlexView projection module uses micro-mechanical shifting to move the pattern by a few pixels in each image. FlexView allows for multiple image pairs to be obtained with different patterns on the same static object. The integration of the FlexView functionality is as simple as setting the number of image pairs to be used with everything else being handled automatically inside the EnsensoSDK.

The Ensenso software aggregates all the information from these multiple pairs to provide an image with much greater detail. Additionally, using multiple cameras simultaneously enables the capture of a scene synchronously from different angles to reduce shadowing effects and extend the field of view.

While additional capture time is needed, there is a minimal computational time increase. The camera can also operate in single-shot mode by turning off the FlexView facility allowing the capture of fast-moving objects at highest possible frame rates..

The compact and robust aluminum housing of the Ensenso with lockable GPIO connector for trigger and flash, underline the suitability of the camera for industrial use. The cameras are pre-calibrated and come with an MVTec HALCON interface as well as an object-oriented API (C++, C# / .NET).