Mr. Takashima was engaged in software development for machine vision systems in the development department but he has been in charge of sales technology from this term for a purpose of new market cultivation, focusing on the technology development of SimPrun, the company's smart camera.

Why have you been interested in LensConnect?

Our smart camera SimPrun is supposed to be attached to industrial robots.

Due to the significantly high mobility of robots, it is required for smart cameras to respond to various shooting situations such as zooming on small subjects by getting closer to them, or shooting from a distance because of difficulty in getting closer to them in some cases.

Even though SimPrun provides countless lens options by adopting C-mount style, coordinating the vision system with robots in order to take advantage of their mobility was a large problem. For example, focused images can be obtained only within a limited shooting range when using a conventional fixed focus lens.

We have considered that the LensConnect concept based on a drive-type lens available for C-mount camera is the best option for the cooperation of SimPrun with the robot system.

What kind of problems are believed to be solved by using the LensConnect?

When using conventional cameras for FA applications, it was possible to propose a vision system building by combining various sensor sizes, number of pixels, and countless C-mount lenses in order to respond to customers’ requests.

When using conventional cameras for FA applications, it was possible to propose a vision system building by combining various sensor sizes, number of pixels, and countless C-mount lenses in order to respond to customers’ requests.

When using conventional cameras for FA applications, it was possible to propose a vision system building by combining various sensor sizes, number of pixels, and countless C-mount lenses in order to respond to customers’ requests.

As for inspection of boxes, for example, when we were asked by customers; “is it possible to cope with all of 100 types of large and small boxes?”, it was often the case for us to answer; “It may be possible but we won't know until we try."

It has become possible for us to cope with such unknown issues by changing lens parameters.

Recently, on the other hand, some customers prefer not to move robots much for safety reasons. For such customers, we are now able to propose solutions for their problems by driving the lens.

Could you tell us about the reasons that led to adoption of the LensConnect?

There are three crucial reasons for its adoption: that is, high reproducibility based on the focus drive, direct control by a smart camera connected therewith without passing through a PC, and so many lens options available.

These are points of view unique to industrial systems, yet not only camera control but also cooperation with upper systems is important for smart cameras used in robot vision.

For example, when an instruction such as “this model is supplied from now on”, is delivered to the camera at the timing of a setup change for replacing shooting objects, it is required to move the lens to a focus position according to the instruction. 

LensConnect always moves to the same position according to the instruction facilitating better cooperation with the upper system.

With its wide range of lineup from wide-angle to telephoto, LensConnect is capable of changing lenses in response to customer's request, giving a sense of security that you can work out as long as ensuring compatibility with LensConnect.

About Micro Technica Co., Ltd.

We are a company providing board products, industrial cameras, and 3D solutions, centered on inspection systems that utilize image processing technology.

In particular, based on our long years of track records in inspection systems used in printing and pharmaceutical industries, we provide total proposals including optimal inspection system building, taking advantage of our own image processing board products and extensive know-hows specialized in image processing technology.

In recent years, we have also focused on proposal of vision systems and monitoring systems in various industrial fields, making full use of these technologies and experiences.

As professionals in image processing technology, we have strength in providing optimal proposals for software and hardware as well including selection of industrial cameras, system proposal and introduction support.

https://www.microtechnica.co.jp/

 About Smart Camera SimPrun

SimPrun-200 is a compact smart camera. It is possible to control machines and robots while performing image processing, equipped with a connectivity with a sequencer based on CC-Link IE Feild Basic.

In addition to positioning, barcode reading, and QR code reading, it is also equipped with a character reading application. And it is also equipped with a Sony 1.6M high-speed CMOS sensor.

Micro Technica's original image processing library is also provided.

By using the library, it is possible to install user-written software on SimPrun-200.

https://www.microtechnica.jp/products/smartcamera.html