EngineeringNews

Vision sensor sets new 3D standards

SICK has released what it says is a groundbreaking miniature version of its powerful and robust Visionary-T 3D snapshot vision sensor, produced after a pioneering collaboration with Microsoft Corp.

The SICK Visionary-T Mini claims to pack precise, high-resolution and rapid image capture into a robust design that is both compact and lightweight for a wide variety of industrial uses.

The SICK Visionary-T Mini uses best-in-class time-of-flight snapshot technology to set new standards of data accuracy for detailed environmental perception at high speed. It captures both the 3D depth and 2D intensity values of every pixel at an exceptional (512 × 424 px) resolution in a single shot of light, at up to 30 3D frames per second.

SICK says the Visionary-T Mini is a compact and versatile all-rounder for factory automation, materials handling and logistics environments, delivering the same high performance whether installed in static applications, on moving machinery or robots. The Visionary-T Mini’s high repetition rate ensures there are no blurring effects as a result of movement of the camera or the object. It is particularly well-suited to dynamic applications where lower weight is an advantage, or installation space is at a premium. 

With a low-weight and no moving parts, the Visionary-T Mini performs reliably despite the shocks and vibrations of applications such as robot palletising and depalletising, or when used as part of object detection, collision warning or navigation systems in automated guided carts, forklifts and mobile robots. Its precise data quality is an advantage for 3D dimensioning and level detection duties, for example for packaging completeness checks, warehouse storage and retrieval systems, or for intelligent loading of freight trucks.

“The SICK Visionary-T Mini fuses the best of SICK’s industrial camera expertise with the type of precision sensing technologies from Microsoft Corp. that you would more normally except to find in mobile phones,” states Neil Sandhu, SICK UK product managing for imaging, measurement and ranging. “The result is an extremely competitive price performance level with consistently excellent 3D and 2D data quality for even the most rugged industrial conditions, including where there is bright light or very dark conditions.

“The Visionary-T Mini also makes it easy to integrate the data stream into your applications, particularly where the target is moving, such as for anti-collision for mobile vehicles or for robot picking from a belt, for example.”

The automatic High Dynamic Range of the Visionary-T Mini ensures even widely-varying contrasts and lighting conditions across a scene are captured in each frame without the need for complex set up, or expert knowledge of time-of-flight settings. The high-density 512 x 424 px resolution is complemented by a 70° x 60° field of view.

As a programmable device, the SICK Visionary-T Mini is easy to configure and commission.


Andrea Hornby: 01727 831121 or
email andrea.hornby@sick.co.uk.
www.sick.co.uk