NATIONAL Instruments has expanded the NI Smart Camera family of products with seven new models, including colour and high resolution units.
The NI 177x Smart Cameras feature a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor for increased processing power, and an IP67 rating for protection from water and dust.
With a real-time operating system, the units are suited for industrial inspection applications that require high performance in a rugged form factor.
The Intel Atom processor allows the new cameras to deliver processing speeds up to four times greater than other NI Smart Cameras.
There are new sensor options, including VGA, 1.3MP and 2MP in colour and monochrome, and a 5MP option in monochrome.
The new sensor options make the cameras well suited for applications that require higher resolution image acquisition such as metrology and detection of small defects as well as color imaging such as LED validation for electronics.
The cameras include four digital input and four digital output lines and support several industrial communication protocols including RS232 (Serial, Modbus serial) and Ethernet (TCP/IP, Ethernet/IPModbus TCP).
The cameras can be controlled to synchronise with a conveyor belt, sorting mechanisms, or integrated with programmable logic controllers. The cameras also include a VGA video out connection for monitoring inspection images.