Machine-vision software goes independent
By Ann R. Thryft, Contributing Technical Editor -- Test & Measurement World, 12/1/2008 2:00:00 AM
A growing number of software vendors have released hardware-independent machine-vision software in response both to the increased availability of direct-connect cameras and to the desire of some users to design vision systems that more closely match their specific needs. Peter Keppler, Common Vision Blox product manager for Stemmer Imaging, explained that although easy-to-use smart cameras accelerated the use of machine vision on production lines, many industrial customers now need the processing power and the flexibility of PCs. “Users are also aware of the advantages of dedicated tool sets that focus on their needs and assure a machine-vision application that can provide quick, reliable, accurate inspection,” he said. “Because these users seek a cost-effective and flexible solution, hardware-independent third-party tools are the logical instrument.”
When considering what type of machine-vision software to purchase, the main hardware to consider, aside from the camera itself, is capture hardware, said Pierantonio Boriero, product line manager for Matrox Imaging. But with the advent of open interface standards such as GigE Vision and IEEE 1394, a specialized acquisition device such as a frame grabber—and its hardware-specific software—is no longer needed. “Hardware independence means developers can work with any camera from any vendor as long as it conforms to the standard,” he said. Now, developers must decide whether to develop software from the ground up or rely on third-party software tools to perform image capture, processing, and analysis.
 The MIL software can process image data from a flexible printed-circuit panel. Courtesy of Matrox Imaging. |
One reason for developers' increased interest in writing their own machine-vision applications is the broad range of cameras available today, said Marilyn Matz, senior VP of vision software for Cognex, which unbundled its VisionPro acquisition software from its hardware last January. “Many models, sizes, interfaces, form factors, and technologies are available for a wide variety of prices, and customers want the flexibility to be able to choose the cameras that meet their specific application's needs,” she said. “In addition, as the machine-vision industry has matured, so has the breadth of applications customers want to do.”
Many software vendors offer a hardware-independent package that combines a library for experienced programmers with a menu-driven, drag-and-drop GUI for users with less programming experience. “With a programming library such as MIL [Matrox Imaging Library], developers can add custom operators to an application, or they can use the library as building blocks,” said Boriero. “Libraries give developers maximum flexibility. With menu-driven software, you're less likely to be able to extend the capabilities of the toolkit.”
Some vendors also provide solution-specific tools, such as a package that only inspects BGAs (ball-grid arrays) or one dedicated to wafer surface inspection. Stemmer's Common Vision Blox supports the programmer with several optional tools but also gives free access to pure image data for the experts, said Keppler. It lets programmers stay with their preferred programming languages without losing any performance.
For many single-camera applications, a smart camera is preferable, but in most multi-camera situations, a PC-based vision system and its accompanying software package are more cost-effective than several smart cameras, said Matz. She explained that PC-based machine-vision software packages are preferable when an application requires the fastest performance as well as high resolution and a lot of flexibility. “PC processors are always going to be faster than smart camera processors,” she said. “When you need the fastest performance with multicore CPUs or multiprocessors, you'll get the maximum horsepower from a PC. But there's a place for both of these approaches.”
Most major machine-vision software packages include support for 32-bit and 64-bit processors, multicore CPUs and multiprocessor PCs, and both 2-D and 3-D calibration, as well as Windows and Linux operating systems. Support for 64-bit processors is becoming increasingly important as more customers want higher resolution to find smaller defects, as well as the ability to do flat-panel display and whole-wafer inspection, said Matz.
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