Software speeds machine vision

National Instruments has announced the NI Vision 7.1 Development Module, which features hundreds of vision tools for engineers and scientists using NI Labview, LabWindows/CVI, C/C++ or Visual Basic to create powerful vision applications that inspect, align, identify and measure objects.

With the software, engineers and scientists can access new algorithms such as geometric matching, object classification, optical character recognition (OCR) and 2D bar code readers to quickly locate, sort and track objects even under poor imaging conditions.

With geometric matching, engineers and scientists can now locate objects that are best described by edges and shapes rather than textures and shades, even when under poor lighting conditions or partially obstructed.

Geometric matching also is effective at locating objects that appear to change scale.

This occurs in applications such as robotic guidance and product assembly where the distance between the camera and object varies.

The Vision 7.1 Development Module also includes a suite of tools for part identification, tracking and sorting.

With trainable OCR tools as well as Data Matrix and PDF 417 code readers, engineers can identify and track parts by reading information applied through ink jets, thermal transfer, laser etching or dot peen.

In addition, the software features a specialised object classification tool for sorting products at high speeds or for cataloguing defects such as scratches, dents and markings.

For creating applications, the Vision 7.1 Development Module includes NI Vision Assistant, which gives engineers and scientists the ability to prototype their applications before writing any code.

Once they develop and benchmark a working script, Vision Assistant automatically converts the script to Labview diagrams or ready-to-run NI LabWindows/CVI, C/C++ or Visual Basic code.

Engineers and scientists can run the code by itself or add it into a larger machine vision, industrial control or data acquisition application.