Camera vision systems are nothing new. Various areas of industry have been using them since the 1980s-90s. Why? Because industrial camera systems can perform quality assurance checks and support consistency among mass produced products and components. On lasers, vision cameras go a long way in supporting quality and consistency via course correction.
Here at Kern Laser Systems, we offer a machine vision camera called k-vision. But before we talk about that, let’s start with the basics.
WHAT IS MACHINE VISION?
Machine vision is a way to give computers the ability to see. More specifically, they’re able to digitize an image, process the digitized image as data and use the data to influence an action. Machine vision is commonly used for material inspection, object recognition, electronic component analysis and pattern recognition.
For Kern Laser Systems, machine vision is a way to ensure laser cutting efficiency by compensating for processing issues like rotation and distortion.
MACHINE VISION VS LASER PROFILERS
Unlike laser profilers, which measure a laser beam’s energy output and waveform, machine vision provides image-based inspection and analysis. Operators use data from laser profilers to ensure the strength and stability of their laser remains consistent over time.
While you may hear machine vision and laser profilers being used interchangeably, the reality is the two technologies are fundamentally different and used for different purposes.
Now, let’s talk about k-vision, our proprietary machine vision camera.
MACHINE VISION CAMERA FOR LASER SYSTEMS
Now, we don’t like to throw around words like perfection, but the capabilities brought by a vision cameral laser attachment might bring your project so close to perfect that it’s the best word for the job. K-vison is a fully-integrated hardware and software solution that turns your laser cutting table into an advanced digital finishing system. And it’s compatible with every laser system in the Kern lineup.
K-vision relies on a nozzle-mounted camera to automatically measure the dimensions between registration marks on printed materials. The system uses inputs from these measurements alongside the registration marks of the cutting file to ensure the accuracy of the laser’s path.
K-vision makes it possible for the laser system to make the slight adjustments and the slight adjustments result in a perfectly matched cutout in the material being processed.
When it’s not in use, the k-vision camera system is easy to remove and store in a protective box.
