National Instruments expands smart camera family

December 2011 Sensors & Transducers

National Instruments has expanded its NI Smart Camera family by introducing seven new models, including colour and high-resolution options. The new NI 177x Smart Cameras feature a 1,6 GHz Intel Atom processor for increased processing power and an IP67 rating to protect the hardware from dust and water, making the cameras ideal for industrial inspection applications that require high-performance in a rugged form factor. Additionally, the cameras have a real-time operating system to deliver the reliability and determinism needed on a production floor.

Using the Intel Atom processor, the new cameras deliver processing speeds four times greater than other NI Smart Cameras. They also add new sensor options, including VGA, 1,3 MP and 2 MP in colour and monochrome as well as 5 MP 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 colour imaging such as LED validation for electronics. The new cameras are the first National Instruments products to offer an IP67 rating.

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