Sony XCI-SX100/XP Smart Camera Driven by eVF Lite Software Assembles Lawnmower EngineROSEMONT, Ill., June 9, 2009. Sony Electronics and Braintech Inc. are demonstrating a new robotic solution for performing precision assembly tasks at the 2009 International Robots & Vision Show. The demo features a Sony XCI-SX100/XP Smart Camera with an embedded PC running Braintech eVF Lite software to operate a Motoman HP20 robot and attach the cylinder head and flywheel covers in a lawnmower engine.

The demonstration illustrates how the Sony/Braintech integration can provide a compact vision system suitable for a spectrum of 2D and 3D robotic vision guidance applications in the automotive, pharmaceutical, food and beverage and general manufacturing industries. It also incorporates fundamental elements that can be adapted for many industrial applications in manufacturing, assembling and packaging components.

The joint solution integrates Sony’s XCI-SX100/XP Smart Camera with Braintech’s Single Camera 2D robot guidance software (SC2D) and Single Camera 3D guidance software (SC3D) to locate randomly oriented components and precisely align them to the engine.

“The Sony Smart Camera platform continues to prove itself as the workhorse of the machine vision industry,” said Ken LaMarca, vice president of the visual imaging and security systems business at Sony Electronics. “The XCI-SX100/XP camera and the Braintech eVF Lite software combination brings to market a versatile, robust vision system for robot guidance that sets the benchmark for price and performance.”

The Sony camera features a high-performance 1 GHz VIA Eden ULV x86-compatible processor running the Windows XPe operating system. It has a 1/3-inch progressive scan CCD that delivers SXGA images at 30 fps and has extensive I/O connectivity via Ethernet, USB 2.0, serial port and monitor out.

“This powerful combination represents the first time vision guidance users will be able to utilize 2D and 3D vision capabilities, plus features such as auto calibration and auto testing without the need to install a full-blown computer on the factory floor,” said Rick Weidinger, Braintech’s chief executive officer. “This turn-key solution will offer the most affordable alternative to expand the VGR market.”

Braintech eVF Lite software is part of the company’s eVisionFactory™ platform. The packaged 3D vision guidance software platform enables engineers, system integrators and process design engineers to build vision guidance systems with less effort and eliminates the need for developing custom software. Later this year, Braintech will enhance eVF Lite software with its SR3D technology, allowing for the integration of multiple smart cameras to work together at the same time.

For more information, visit www.braintech.com. More information regarding Sony Visual Imaging Products is available at www.sony.com/videocameras.

Reference: braintech.com

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