Features

Illumination Design Software

LightTools® 6.2 illumination design and analysis software from Optical Research Associates (Pasadena, CA) is for applications ranging from LEDs to displays and luminaires. A backward ray tracing capability reduces...

Thru-Beam Sensors

UltraFrameTM self-contained thru-beam sensors from Balluff (Florence, KY) are ideal for error-proofing, process monitoring, and general automation tasks in a number of environments. The UltraFrame sensors’ one-piece housings...

Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope

Novelx (Lafayette, CA) introduces the mySEM® compact field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) for imaging and characterizing nanoscale objects and materials. In a compact design that...

PbSe Thermal Imaging Array

The LIRA5S lead selenide (PbSe) thermal imaging array from Cal Sensors (Santa Rosa, CA) is sensitive in the 1.0 to 5.5μm wavelength region and has state-of-the art integrated electronics. LIRA5S can be programmed for...

Laser Diode Controller

VueMetrix (Sunnyvale, CA) has released the Vue-LV-15, a 15A high performance, low-cost laser diode controller based on a powerful microprocessor and proprietary current control algorithm. The Vue-LV-15 features an all...

Fiber Coupled Laser Modules

FiberLight fiber coupled laser modules from Modulight (San Jose, CA) are for applications in medical, industrial, defense, and research activities. The FiberLight products are based on the company’s broad-area...

Designing the First Fully Sustainable Block in the U.S.

In the near future, a crumbling parking lot in downtown Dallas, Texas will be the location of the first fully sustainable, urban square block in the United States. Re:Vision Dallas is the...

High-Performance Computing Tools in Neural Imaging

High-performance computing (HPC) has transformed science and engineering over the past 20 years, but some fields have yet to fully realize its benefits due to software limitations. This article...

Machine Vision Guides Robot Motion

Machine vision can quickly and accurately determine the location of parts so they can be inspected, measured, or manipulated by a robot. An example is using machine vision to guide a robot unpacking one-gallon...

High-Speed Cameras Assist in Crash Sled Testing

The Kettering University Crash Safety Center (Flint, MI) conducts vehicle subsystem tests using a pneumatic deceleration sled. The research and testing includes frontal, rear, or side impact...

NASA Energy Concept Could Harness the Power of Ocean Waves

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) researchers who developed a new way to power robotic underwater vehicles believe a spin-off technology could help convert ocean energy into...

VGA Cameras

Basler Vision Technologies, Ahrensburg, Germany, has introduced the scA640-120 series of Scout cameras based on Sony’s ICX618 sensor. The cameras feature a 29 × 44 × 73.7 mm housing, and are equipped with a C or CS-mount lens...

Digital Camera

Vision Research, Wayne, NJ, offers the four-mega-pixel Phantom® v640 digital high-speed camera, which provides six gigapixel-per-second throughput and enhanced light sensitivity. It offers a recording speed of more than 1,400...

Frame Grabber

American ELTEC, Las Vegas, NV, has released the PC_EYE/CL PCI Express frame grabber that supports base, medium, and full configurations. The PCI Express interface with four lanes delivers data rates of up to 1 GB/s for...

Thermal Imaging Camera

LumaSense Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, offers the Mikron MikroSHOT portable thermal imaging camera, a radiometric thermal imager that offers pocket-sized portability. The Thermal-On-Visible mode allows for radiometric...

Telecentric Lenses

Edmund Optics, Barrington, NJ, offers the TECHSPEC® large-format telecentric lenses that can accommodate large-format industrial image sensors measuring up to 28.7 mm diagonally. They provide high-resolution images with a...

HD Camera

Toshiba Imaging Systems Division, Irvine, CA, has introduced the IK-HR1S HD camera, a 1/3" CMOS detector with 2.1 megapixels and optional 720p or 1080i scanning operation, both with HD-SDI output. The camera measures 1.75 × 1.65 ×...

In-Line Inspection

The VT-S700 in-line automated optical inspection system from Omron Electronics, Schaumburg, IL, shortens tact time of soldered component inspection with an expanded field of view. Using a telecentric lens with a 2-megapixel...

Network Cameras

Panasonic, Secaucus, NJ, has introduced two IP network cameras, the BL-C101A and BL-C121A that monitor from a PC or cell phone. The BL-C101A features one-wire, plug-and-play installation; the BL-C121A is wireless and features...

Image Sensors

Banner Engineering Corp., Minneapolis, MN, offers the iVu series image sensors that combine a photoelectric sensor and a vision sensor. They feature a touchscreen with intuitive interface and configurable inspection parameters....

Hermetic Feedthroughs Critical for Flywheel Energy Storage

Next-generation flywheels are made possible by advances in material science in rotor technology, as well as the application of magnetic bearings running in a vacuum environment. While...

Motion Control Advancements Ease Medical Procedures

Whether performing an intricate surgery, positioning a patient, or taking a tissue sample, today’s biomedical devices are taking advantage of advanced motion control devices to ensure...

Forest City Gear Controls Prosthetic Hand

Forest City Gear of Roscoe, IL, is a turnkey gear manufacturer, responsible to their customers for literally every facet of gear manufacturing, including prototyping, testing, production, finishing,...

Omron Controls and Drives Improve Animals’ Joint Health

Ferno Aquatic Therapy, Wilmington, OH, designs and manufactures canine and equine underwater treadmill equipment used by veterinarians to provide aquatic therapy, rehabilitation, and...

Linear Slide Assembly

HaydonKerk Motion Solutions™, Waterbury, CT, offers the Kerk RGS(R) linear slide assembly combined with the Haydon™ MotoDrive™ PDE Actuator. The integrated linear slide, stepper motor, and electronic drive assembly...

Multi-Axis Controller

ACS Motion Control, Eden Prarie, MN, has developed a low-cost, small-footprint approach for machine control. Designated the SPiiPlus LF-CM, the machine controller provides multi-axis integrated control and up to 64...

Stepper Motor

Portescap, West Chester, PA, has introduced hollow-shafted versions to its revolutionary family of h3 stepper motors. Hollow shaft models promise increased design flexibility by allowing wires or other media to be routed through...

Direct Drive Motors

The ULT-O Outside Rotating frameless motor kits latest from Applimotion, Loomis, CA, give the customer flexibility of a large through hole and low profile. The rotor is external to the stator, enabling the customer to...

Linear Displacement Sensor

The KD-2306 non-contact linear displacement sensor from Kaman, Middletown, CT uses balanced bridge eddy current technology to sense both ferrous and non-ferrous metal targets. The RoHS-compliant, CE-marked sensing...