IDS extends Ensenso N3D camera series

The Ensenso N-Series from IDS, is a compact 3D camera system designed specifically for applications in robotics and automated production environments. It offers IP65/67 protection, and is claimed to be well-suited for use in harsher environments. The camera family has now been expanded with the introduction of the new N40 and N45 models: they are described as lightweight and with rounded edges, thanks to which they open up new application possibilities says IDS, for example in collaborative robotics.

The housing of the new Ensenso N40/N45 3D cameras is made of FRP which helps make this the lightest stereo vision cameras with Gigabit Ethernet in the IDS product range. When mounted on a robot arm, for example, less mass produces less stress on the robot mechanics, and the cameras also minimise the risk of injury thanks to their rounded edges. 

The electronics have also been revised for the new 3D cameras: an improved infrared projector enables higher light output and also has an optimised heat management. This results  many advantages including better data quality and higher clock rates. The projector is optionally available with blue illumination in the visible range (465 nm) or with infrared illumination (850 nm). The new models each include two monochrome CMOS sensors (global shutter, 1280 x 1024 pixels) and are equipped with screwable GPIO connectors for trigger and flash. Power-over-Ethernet allows data transfer and power supply to be realised even over long cable distances. The Ensenso selector on the IDS website helps machine and system builders select the right camera model.

A new stereo matching process, which is available as standard for all models when using the Ensenso SDK 3.0, also ensures particularly detailed point clouds. "PatchMatch" is said to work effectively with a large distance range at different object distances and without significant effects on the execution speed of the algorithm. This benefits, for example, applications in which large volumes are to be captured in the shortest possible time.