GigE 3D stereo camera for 3D vision and robot vision applications

Equipped with two high-resolution 1.3 megapixel CMOS sensors, the Ensenso N20 camera is said to offer a wider field of view to enable imaging of larger volumes and for working distances of up to 3m. A more powerful projector with blue LEDs, together with the high resolution of the sensors, allows for greater levels of detail and precise 3D data, even with difficult surfaces. 

The new camera utilises the ‘projected texture stereo vision’ principle. An integrated projector casts a random point pattern onto the object to be captured, enhancing structures that are either not visible or only faintly visible. Each individual shot therefore delivers a virtually flawless 3D image. The camera measures just 175 x 50 x 50mm, despite the integrated projector and the two CMOS sensors and its robust aluminium housing and screw-in connections make it extremely suitable for industrial use. The GigE interface permits cable lengths of up to 100m and, since is ‘powered over Ethernet’ (PoE), there is no need for an additional cable for the power supply.

The Ensenso N20 is supplied with an interface to the MVTec HALCON image processing library and an extensive Software Development Kit (SDK). The software has been optimised for robot vision applications as well as for multi-camera applications. The data from two or more inter-connected 3D cameras is automatically combined into one 3D dataset, allowing an object to be captured from several sides. In addition, the working area and the resulting precision can be scaled to meet virtually any requirements by adjusting the number of cameras installed. The Ensenso software also allows the easy integration of IDS uEye industrial cameras with USB 2.0, USB 3.0, or GigE connections, for example, to capture additional colour information or barcodes as well as 3D images.