New models of IMPACT Smarter Cameras Introduced
 T-SERIES Right-Angle Models Now Available

The powerful, versatile and popular IMPACT T-SERIES smarter cameras are now available in right-angle models. The six new right-angle models join the seven in-line models and remote head model to deliver a suite of fourteen smarter camera solutions. Providing up to 1600 x 1200 pixel resolution in color or greyscale, the blazing fast T-SERIES smarter cameras can now be ideally mounted in more available machinery mechanical envelopes.

"The most valued part of the IMPACT machine vision system is its advanced image processing software. Empowered with IMPACT, our team of application engineers listens to integrators, machine builders and manufacturers to solve critical automated visual inspections in a collaborative way," said Sean O'Driscoll, Executive Vice President of PPT VISION.

Use the link below to download a PDF file of the latest IMPACT T-SERIES brochure which includes all the new right angle models.

IMPACT T-SERIES Intelligent Cameras 

 Traceability, ID and Trending -- Smart Manufacturing Trends
 IMPACT OCR, 2-D barcode and 1-D barcode reader tools

Traceability is critical to safety and business viability in all industries, most notably food and beverage, pharmaceutical, aerospace and automotive. The process of tracking the physical flow of material contents, history and location is critical for food safety, counterfeit protection and limiting recalls. Traceability best practices documented by NIST and GS1 include the use of OCR (optical character recognition), 2-D (data matrix) bar code reading and 1-D (EAN/UPC, RSS) bar code reading.

IMPACT Reader tools help companies automate their compliance with GS1's decree that "All Traceable Item Sources and Traceable Item Recipients MUST collect the identification of the traceable item or asset containing it from the identification carrier."

PPT VISION Readers 

 IMPACT Delivers Data Where and How It is Needed
 ActiveX, Modbus/TCP, Ethernet I/P, Serial, Discrete, . . .

Historically, communication from smart cameras was a simple discrete binary outputs to a PLC (go/no-go). Today integrators, machine builders and plants are more frequently using the collected data of intelligent cameras for smarter process control. Some of the connectivity options with today's IMPACT smarter cameras and software include:

1. Discrete optically isolated outputs
2. Ethernet IP or Modbus/TCP with binary output data populated directly into PLCs (saves physical wiring costs)
3. Ethernet IP or Modbus/TCP with data populated in PLC registers
4. Serial data strings (e.g. track seam location)
5. Images, Data, and Discrete outputs sent over Ethernet TCP/IP to CPM (IMPACT's Control Project Manager HMI) or via ActiveX to an alternative HMI software

The cover article in August's Motion System Design magazine about smart camera communication was authored by PPT VISION Applications Engineering Director Bradley Weber. To view the full article, follow the link below.

MSD Article about Vision Communication and Control 

 IMPACT's Emulator More Visible on PPTVISION.COM
 Try It Campaign Unleashes Power of the IMPACT Emulator

To perform inspections and improve quality, at least one IMPACT intelligent camera is needed on the factory floor. However, an IMPACT smart camera is not necessary to fully operate VPM (Vision Program Manager) or CPM (Control Program Manager)---they will run on any modern Windows PC in Emulator mode.

This Emulator feature is either not available on competing smart cameras or it requires a license fee to purchase. IMPACT's free Emulator is extremely useful for

• Training--IMPACT software operation
• Off-line evaluation and trouble shooting on a PC not connected to the factory floor
• Evaluating and reviewing application feasibility with previously acquired IMPACT images
• Evaluating and demonstrating IMPACT functionality

Since PPT VISION began featuring the link to the download of its FREE IMPACT software (which includes the emulator) on the home page of pptvision.com, scores of new prospects have downloaded it. Through this introduction, several prospects have solved inspections and become new PPT VISION customers. Many more are evaluating IMPACT for persisting process and quality projects and needs.

The High-IMPACT "Try-It" Link Landing Page 

 New PPT VISION Partners in Germany and Turkey
 DataIdent and AB Kontrol

PPT VISION is proud to welcome DataIdent in Hamburg, Germany, and AB Kontrol in Istanbul, Turkey, to our team. DataIdent is headquartered in Hamburg but has offices in Duesseldorf and Munich. DataIdent offers complete integrated solutions for automatic identification using industrial vision, barcode and RFID. Over 1,000 referenced DataIdent accounts world-wide testify to their technological expertise in material handling and discrete process control automation.

AB Kontrol is another skilled and experienced industrial engineering team offering fully integrated automation solutions. Besides delivering vision inspection solutions, AB Kontrol also offers software development and PLC and SCADA program engineering.

PPT VISION's Global Partners 

 PPT VISION Exhibits at PackExpo and Vision 2009
 Come see us in Las Vegas or Stuttgart

With its partner Lake Image Systems, PPT VISION will be exhibiting at the PMMA Exhibition for Processing and Packaging Machinery September 29 - October 1 on Stand C71 in Birmingham, England.
The following week, across the pond, PPT VISION will be demonstrating High-Speed Packaging Inspection and Traceability at our booth October 5-7 at the PMMI PackExpo in Las Vegas Nevada. Stop and see us in the South Hall at booth S5882.

In November, PPT VISION is back at Vision 2009, meeting with current and prospective partners. As the world is emerging from the global recession, PPT VISION is out engaging WITH new prospects and customers about process improvement solutions.

PPT VISION at 3 Trade Shows this Fall! 

 Bradley's Corner
 AE Team Builds New Demos

It is show time. Fall is here and that means PPT VISION is busy meeting with partners, customers and prospects at many industry trade shows; specifically the PPMA packaging show in the UK, Pack Expo in Las Vegas, the MD&M show in Minneapolis, and the Vision Show in Stuttgart, Germany. Here is a short description of the demos we have designed and built that will be on display this fall:

Needle Demo: An IMPACT A20 inspects syringe needles on a table top turn table. The smart camera locates the needle, checks for the needle bond to the plastic neck, measures its length and verifies its straightness.
Packaging Demo: An IMPACT A20 and a T30 are mounted above a table top turn table inspecting liquid soap bottles. The T30 is verifying the barcode and data matrix are correct (mixed lot verification and correct label). The A20 is verifying if the cap is seated properly and reading the lot code using OCR.

Along with these demos, PPT VISION is also building a custom demo for one of our partners. Working with our partner we have set up a demo that inspects automotive connector pins using IMPACT's image stitching feature. The partner was able to provide a linear stage and we are providing the camera and programming. Do you need to demonstrate PPT VISION product at a trade show? If you have the motion equipment and some ideas about what you would like to demo, let us know. We would be glad to work with you to help set up and program the application.

Collaborate with the AE Community on the PPT VISION Forum