Thermal
Imaging Manufacturer Gets
Linear With New Low-Cost Line Camera
DEXTER,
MI March 9, 2008 - Ann Arbor Sensor Systems,
LLC, a manufacturer focused on affordable thermal imaging,
unveiled a new thermal line camera for the factory floor
this month. Line cameras, contrary to thermal imaging
cameras, take a strip snapshot of a moving target at
high speeds, forming an image over time. The AXT110
as its called, is affordable, capable, and well-suited
for thermal process control and automation, according
to its website.
"The
AXT110 has a major theme about it," said director
David Kryskowski. "Simply put, you mount this camera,
declare where the heaters under the product are located,
and the camera will regulate the temperature of the
product according to what the customer requires."
Operators can keep tabs on the thermal images through
Cascade, an included software application.
"We're
closing the loop on temperature control," quipped
Justin Renken, software developer for Ann Arbor Sensor
Systems. "This is a network camera, so its data
can be sent anywhere... such as an Advantech ADAM I/O
Module." Renken went on to identify the device
as a network-based digital-to-analog converter. "The
ADAM is what regulates the power of up to eight heating
zones. The AXT110 processes everything internally, so
no host PC is required."
The
procedure involves logging into the camera with a standard
browser. Once inside, a canvas-and-brush interface is
used to declare up to eight heating zones. Statistics
are calculated on the zones, and when combined with
a desired temperature value, the camera broadcasts a
recommended heater power to an ADAM device or existing
PLC network via TCP/Modbus protocol.
"It's
called a P.I.D. algorithm," Kryskowski contributed.
"You'll find them behind a vehicle's cruise control
or a home's thermostat system. The camera commands eight
of them, and they're all individually tunable. The camera
shoots up to 100 lines per second. In a nutshell, if
your process is becoming stubborn when introducing thermal
elements, the AXT110 could help you automate more easily
and affordably than you might think."
The
AXT110 currently ships to the tune of approximately
$6000 US. More information can be obtained over the
phone at 1-734-426-1791 or via the company's website,
www.aas2.com.
David
Kryskowski of Ann Arbor Sensor Systems can be reached
at kryskowski.david@aas2.com.
|
