Cognex: A 3D Vision System for all Cases

An exciting new 3D vision system from Cognex now makes inspecting parts in 3D as easy as using a 2D smart camera.

The new In-Sight® 3D-L4000 vision system brings better image quality, simplified application development, and a wide range of true 3D inspection tools.

This unique smart camera enables engineers to solve a range of inline inspection, guidance and measurement applications on automated production lines quickly, accurately and cost-effectively.

Blue laser optics make the difference

Typically, 3D imaging systems struggle with speckle, which is a problem in existing 3D vision systems because it changes the appearance of the part and reduces image accuracy. However, the type of laser used in the In-Sight 3D-L4000 is a significant technical advance in laser-based imaging - and a reason for the excellent results delivered.

Intelligent processing on real 3D point cloud images

The In-Sight 3D-L4000 has its processing power built right in. This enables the vision tools to perform true 3D point cloud inspections without the need for an external controller or third-party PC-based software.

In the past, 3D visual inspection was difficult to understand and use. Most existing systems transform 3D data into 2D images. In this representation it is very difficult to see and successfully process the nuances of the 3D part. A common method is to convert a section of the rasterised 2D image into a 1D height profile. However, with the new technology used in the 3D-L4000, the image is a pure point cloud.

Intuitive setup with advanced 3D inspection tools – without programming skills

Another new feature of the In-Sight 3D-L4000 is the use of the intuitive In-Sight Spreadsheet development interface to quickly and easily set up and run 3D applications without the need for programming or external processing. It also allows 2D and 3D vision tools to be combined in the same application, resulting in faster deployments.

The In-Sight 3D-L4000 includes all the traditional 3D measurement tools expected of a 3D vision system, such as for plane and height determination. In addition, it has a comprehensive set of 3D vision tools, designed from the ground up for inspections in a real 3D space. This makes it easy to measure or identify parts or irregularities on the surface, as well as gaps, edges and angles - even for parts with complex geometry such as pistons or hinges.

Its great ease of use and the fact that no external PC, and therefore no programming skills, are required for setup and processing finally make laser-based 3D imaging a viable and affordable option.

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