Analog isn’t Dead Yet, Sentech’s STC-400 Analog Camera and its counterparts still have a place in Industrial Imaging

Even in a world that is quickly moving from analog to digital, the mini form factor analog cameras of old still have a rightful place among its “new and improved” digital cousins. Sentech’s STC-400HOL is a perfect example of how an older technology still plays a large part in any given application that was originally integrated based on analog technology.

Used as an easy “drop in” replacement camera for existing analog imaging systems or for those looking soley for live video connected to an analog monitor, Sentech’s STC-400HOL 1/2″ Interlaced Monochrome CCD Camera is an inexpensive and ideal analog camera choice.

Used primarily in the 1980s and 1990s, analog cameras are all typically the same small size, they all incorporate EIA output and most run at 30FPS (frames per second). The similarities of analog cameras makes the replacement and compatibility of any of them a non-issue as most can be swapped out with eachother very easily.

Sentech STC-400HOL Analog, Interlaced Machine Vision Camera

Reasons why people don’t quickly jump on the digital conversion bandwagon quite yet?

• $$$$$$!
  • Depending on the application, a company’s current analog imaging system could have been expensive at the time it was integrated into the application and converting to digital is essentially starting over, incurring large costs.

• Software Compatibility Problems
  • Depending on the script used to write the software for the analog system, it most likely will not work with digital hardware, therefore new software must be written for a new digital system, becoming both time consuming and expensive.

Applications for Analog Cameras include but are not limited to: Machine Vision including, Inspection, Pick and Place Machines, Dispensing Machines, etc.

Digital camera technology is definitely great, but if you are looking for a “quick fix” to get an analog system back up and running as soon as possible with minimal cost, then the STC-400 from Stentech along with other remaining analog cameras still have a purpose.

MORE INFORMATION ON THIS ANALOG CAMERA AND OTHERS CAN BE FOUND HERE

New Sentech Industrial Cameras

Due to Sentech’s ability to customize their standard cameras and/or build custom products, they have the reputation of being able to help customers reduce their product / engineering costs and be more competitive in their markets.

NEW SENTECH CAMERAS AVAILABLE:

The CAMERA LINK CUBE SERIES is a full featured, cost effective, progressive scan digital Camera Link® cube camera, with a Monochrome or with RGB Primary Color Filter CCD. Featuring full frames with VGA, XGA, SXGA and UXGA output, partial scanning, triggering, and reset capabilities.

COLOR
STC-CLC33A – 1/3″     VGA   640 x 480 @ 60FPS            28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CLC83A – 1/3″     XGA   1024 x 768  @ 30FPS         28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CLC152A – 1/2″ SXGA    1280 x 1024  @ 19FPS       28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CLC202A  – 1/1.8″  UXGA 1600 x 1200  @ 15FPS     28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CLC232A  – 1/1.8″  UXGA 1620 x 1220  @ 30FPS      28 x 28 x 53.5mm

MONOCHROME
STC-CL33A – 1/3″ VGA      640 x 480  @ 60FPS               28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CL83A     1/3″ XGA     1024 x 768  @ 30FPS            28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CL152A     1/2″  SXGA    1280 x 1024  @ 19FPS      28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CL202A     1/1.8″  UXGA     1600 x 1200  @ 15FPS   28 x 28 x 46.3mm
STC-CL232A     1/1.8″  UXGA     1620 x 1220  @ 30FPS   28 x 28 x 53.5mm

The CASED USB 2.0 SERIES is available in a Color or Monochrome CCD, offers Soft & Hard Triggering (based on model) and a Top or Rear USB Connector. Sentech USB cameras include a SDK, Direct X, Twain and Linux drivers, as well as the Sentech Viewing Software.

COLOR
STC-TC33USB-A     1/3″     VGA     640 x 480 @ 60FPS     51 x 51 x 44.3mm
STC-TC83USB-A     1/3″     XGA     1024 x 768 @ 30FPS   51 x 51 x 44.3mm
STC-TC152USB-A     1/2″   SXGA  1280 x 1024 @ 19FPS   51 x 51 x 44.3mm
STC-TC202USB-A     1/1.8″ UXGA  1600 x 1200 @ 15FPS  51 x 51 x 44.3mm

MONOCHROME
STC-TB33USB-A     1/3″  VGA     640 x 480 @ 60FPS   51 x 51 x 44.3mm
STC-TB83USB-A     1/3″   XGA     1024 x 768 @ 30FPS  51 x 51 x 44.3mm
STC-TB152USB-A     1/2″  SXGA     1280 x 1024 @ 19FPS   51 x 51 x 44.3mm
STC-TB202USB-A     1/1.8″ UXGA 1600 x 1200 @ 15FPS  51 x 51 x 44.3mm

The BOARD USB 2.0 SERIES is available with a Color or Monochrome CCD, offers Soft Triggering and a Top or Rear USB Connector. Sentech USB cameras include a SDK, Direct X, Twain and Linux drivers, as well as the Sentech Viewing Software.

COLOR
STC-TC33USB-B     1/3″  VGA     640 x 480 @ 60FPS     45 x 45 x Var. mm
STC-TC83USB-B     1/3″   XGA     1024 x 768 @ 30FPS     45 x 45 x Var. mm
STC-TC152USB-B     1/2″   SXGA  1280 x 1024 @ 19FPS  45 x 45 x Var. mm
STC-TC202USB-B     1/1.8″  UXGA  1600 x 1200 @ 15FPS  45 x 45 x Var. mm

MONOCHROME
STC-TB33USB-B     1/3″  VGA  640 x 480 @ 60FPS     45 x 45 x Var. mm
STC-TB83USB-B     1/3″   XGA  1024 x 768 @ 30FPS   45 x 45 x Var. mm
STC-TB152USB-B     1/2″  SXGA  1280 x 1024 @ 19FPS   45 x 45 x Var. mm
STC-TB202USB-B     1/1.8″  UXGA  1600 x 1200 @ 15FPS  45 x 45 x Var. mm

The 2:1 INTERLACE CUBE CAMERA Industrial grade 2:1 Interlace cameras, with a 1/2″ monochrome CCD. These cameras are designed and machined with very tight tolerances to have optimal CCD centering quality. This series of cameras is extremely reliable, provides a high quality image and is very cost-effective.

MONOCHROME
STC-E42A     1/2″   EIA  CCIR      768 x 494   570    28 x 28 x 46.3 mm
STC-C42A    1/2”  EIA CCIR         752 x 582    560   28 x 28 x 46.3 mm
STC-E43A    1/3″    EIA   CCIR     768 x 494   570   28 x 28 x 46.3 mm
STC-C43A    1/3″     EIA CCIR     752 x 582   560   28 x 28 x 46.3 mm

MONOCHROME PROGRESSIVE SCAN CUBE CAMERA with 648 x 494 resolution. This series features a VGA sensor with a scan rate of 30, 60 and  90fps, analog output and variable integration shutter trigger.

MONOCHROME
STC-A33A     1/3″     VGA     648 x 494     90     28 x 28 x 46.3 mm
STC-A83A     1/3″     XGA     1024 x 768     30     28 x 28 x 46.3 mm
STC-A152A     1/2″     SXGA     1360 x 1040     19     28 x 28 x 46.3 mm
STC-A202A     1/1.8″     UXGA 1620 x 1220     15     28 x 28 x 46.3 mm

New 2 Mb, 30 FPS Camera Link Industrial Camera from Sentech STC-CL232A

Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. is announcing the release of the smallest Camera Link industrial cameras available! With 2 Megabits, the new Sentech STC-CLC232A is a full featured, cost effective UXGA progressive scan digital Camera Link cube camera with 1/1.8″ Monochrome CCD. Featuring a full frame 30fps UXGA output, partial scanning, triggering, and reset capabilities.  Available in both monochrome and color.

This high resolution system coupled with the wide range of Pentex lenses, Intercon 1 cabling, and a BitFlow Neon board is a great imaging system at a reasonable price (far more cost effective then most packages).

**Aegis offers Technical Support, Customized Software and Evaluations for Qualified Customers.**

For more information about Aegis Electronic Group, Inc. and its products and services, visit the company’s website at www.aegis-elec.com or contact Aegis at 888-687-6877.

Sentech STC-C33USB – A Better Inspection Alternative vs. the Microscope

Inspection involves the measurements, tests, and gauges applied to certain characteristics in regard to an object or activity. The results are usually compared to specified requirements and standards for determining whether the item or activity is in line with the specified targets. Pretty basic definition.

For hundreds of years, microscopes have been the instrument of choice when it comes to most types of inspections due to its ability to see what the naked eye cannot. Today, with advancements in technology there are definitely more “user friendly” inspection systems available in order to makes visual data immediately available for more in depth studying and analyzation.

Microscope/inspection cameras are growing in popularity due to their ability to capture, control and store a high-resolution image on a computer through a cable. As with most digital pictures, once the picture is captured, the user then has the ability to enlarge and edit according to their needs in addition to having the capability of emailing to other parties or even using images for presentations. Another benefit of using an inspection camera is that it is typically purchased with a user specified lens that has been designed to meet the user’s requirements. Whether you need a 10X zoom varifocal lens that gives you 7 inches of working space or a fixed lens, a customized lens will help the user control the size and focus of the image. Depending on the lighting, a light ring or illuminator can also be added to the end of the lens to increase the lighting for the image.

For a user who is looking for an inexpensive industrial inspection camera that has the ability to capture, control and display, Sentech’s STC-CS33USB camera is a great solution. Not only is it a USB camera (plugs directly into your computer via USB cable) but the people at Sentech include the USB driver in addition to a free SDK (Software Development Kit) which can save you several hundred dollars right there.

Sentech’s SDK Functions include:

• Bayer Filter Color Interpolation
  • Nearest Neighbor Replication
  • Bilinear (Bilinear Interpolation)
  • BiCubic (Cubic Convolution)
• White Balance (Auto/Manual/One Shot)
• Electronic Shutter Control (Auto (Electronic Iris)/Manual (Fixed Shutter)
• Image Filing
• Others

For those who didn’t have a chance to stop by the Aegis Electronic Group booth at the APEX show last week in Las Vegas, one of Sentech’s USB 2.0 camera was up and running, giving people a chance to see this inspection camera in action. The camera was displayed with a Computar 10X Zoom, Varifocal lens (MLH10X) and a Schott Fostec light ring…a big hit with quite a few attendees of the convention, who were looking for a low cost, user friendly solution to “save their people’s eyes” by getting them out of their microscopes.

Aegis can also help create a customized SDK based on the user’s function requirements.

Digital images of a “good part” and a “bad part” are stored in the computer and the SDK can be customized to determine whether the images taken during the inspection of your products contain certain contaminants by comparing the characteristics of the objects in the image with the known characteristics of the contaminants.

These cameras have made the inspection process much more convenient and will give your inspector’s eyes a well deserved break. Evals are available from Aegis Electronic Group for qualified customers.