IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH, a manufacturer of industrial imaging and machine vision technologies, has announced the start of series production of its Nion industrial 3D time-of-flight camera. The new camera combines 1.2 MP resolution with integrated depth processing to deliver high-resolution, temporally stable 3D depth data at up to 30 fps for applications including industrial automation, logistics and robotics. The Nion uses the onsemi AF0130 indirect time-of-flight sensor from the Hyperlux ID family and operates at a resolution of 1280 × 960 pixels. The sensor captures the four phase exposures required for iToF before readout, reducing the time available for object movement between exposures and helping maintain stable depth values in dynamic scenes. This allows the camera to capture moving objects with minimal motion blur while maintaining depth measurement performance under changing ambient lighting conditions.

IDS Nion 3D ToF camera with 3D depth output for volume measurement and depalletizing | Sensors + Testing Monthly

Nion is suitable for volume measurements and (de)palletizing.

With a working range of 0.3 to 7.5 meters, the camera is designed to address common industrial 3D imaging requirements including volume measurement, depalletizing and other applications requiring depth information at production speeds. Its resistance to ambient and stray light supports operation in both indoor and outdoor environments, while the compact industrial housing carries an IP67 protection rating. Ethernet connectivity and PoE++ support are designed to simplify integration and reduce cabling requirements.

“The Nion provides stable depth data even under variable lighting conditions. This provides a solid foundation for automation processes that rely on fast and accurate 3D data,” said Patrick Schick, Product Manager for 3D Vision and Imaging Software at IDS.

The camera’s 1.2 MP depth sensor provides significantly greater spatial resolution than conventional VGA-class ToF systems, allowing finer structures and object features to be represented in the resulting 3D data. IDS is positioning the Nion for applications where both high data density and repeatable depth information are required, including applications involving moving objects and variable lighting conditions.

“In many cases, existing 2D processes can be retained and supplemented with depth data where necessary, if that aids decision-making in the process,” said Schick.

This approach allows machine builders and system integrators to add depth information where required without necessarily replacing an existing 2D vision workflow. Depending on the application, the additional 3D information can support decisions involving object height, position, shape, volume or spatial relationships that cannot be derived reliably from a conventional 2D image alone. The Nion 3D ToF camera is now in series production and is available through the IDS Webstore. The camera can be configured through software for different working ranges, spatial and depth resolution requirements and accuracy levels.

About IDS Imaging Development Systems

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH is an Obersulm, Germany-based manufacturer of industrial imaging technologies specializing in 2D and 3D industrial cameras, machine vision systems, AI-enabled cameras and industrial monitoring solutions. Founded in 1997, the owner-managed family company develops and manufactures its products at its German headquarters and has more than 320 employees representing 21 countries. IDS serves approximately 11,000 customers, offers a portfolio of around 5,000 products and makes its technologies available in more than 70 countries. The company maintains subsidiaries in the United States, Japan, South Korea and the United Kingdom, together with representative offices in France, the Benelux region and India. For more information, please click here.

Source/Photo Credit: IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH

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Molly Bakewell Chamberlin
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