Laboratory Automation: Machine vision solution for Sample Identification
Max Reijngoudt
This article provides an overview of how our machine vision components—specifically, the ME2P-1230-23U3C camera, the VA-LCM-10MP-06MM-F1.8-110 lens, and the 3rd party Zebra Aurora Vision software—were used to develop a machine vision solution a sample identification system for a laboratory.
The big challenge represented in this application was to create a vision system that would identify certain details in a lab sample within a large FOV. The customer requested to capture details as fine as 1mm in size while covering an approximate field of view of around 1300x1000mm. This setup allows laboratory assistants to identify some key features in color variations within the samples, which, in turn, improves precision and consistency in the sorting process.
Table of contents
Machine vision camera selection
The suggested camera was the ME2P-1230-23U3C for high-resolution and detailed imaging. It has a Sony IMX304 sensor, which provides a resolution of 4096x3000 pixels and operates at 23 frames per second. The 12.30MP camera is highly recommended during those instances when minute detail capture, even in a large FOV, is required. Also, due to one of the main criteria for sorting the sample being color, it was essential to have a color camera.
With the ME2P-1230-23U3C camera, the customer was able to achieve the needed minimum detail of about 1 mm in a FOV of around 1334x1000mm. In that respect, the large field enables capture of the whole sample area in one shot, while still offering a resolution that's good enough for capturing even the tiniest relevant detail.
Industrial Lens Selection: VA-LCM-10MP-06MM-F1.8-110
The type of lens required was determined based on the FOV needed to capture quality images and by the customer’s identified working distance. For this application, we employed the VA-LCM-10MP-06MM-F1.8-110 lens. The lens is appropriate for an image format of 1.1", suitable for the high-resolution sensor of the ME2P-1230-23U3C camera. Furthermore, the client preferred a working distance range between 1000-1100mm, due to space limitations in the laboratory where the camera would be placed.
Moreover, at a working distance of about 1081mm, by using the previously
mentioned lens and camera, the customer achieved an actual field view of approximately 1341x1012mm. This way, with the present setup, it was easy for the client to see the whole area of the sample while capturing minute details
relevant to the analysis. The 6mm focal length of the lens combined with high
light-collecting capability due to the F1.8 aperture thus captured decent images under most lighting conditions.
Machine Vision Lighting Solution
Machine Vision Lighting is a paramount aspect in any vision system, especially where reflective surfaces or subtle color differences are in place. Two bar lights were thus used to enhance the clarity of images. The bar light is also very versatile and can be manipulated into an appropriate angle that provides the best view.
Software Zebra Aurora Vision
Having assembled all the hardware components, the customer added image processing and automation with the help of Zebra Aurora Vision software. Zebra Aurora Vision gives the user a lot of freedom in that one can build an automation program through itself that has an intuitive interface and is thereby accessible by more and less advanced users alike.
Zebra Aurora Vision's image processing capabilities allowed the customer to develop their program, meeting particular customer requirements. The main information would be defined on each sample to precisely and reproducibly categorize samples by using the in-depth toolkit of the software to isolate color features.
Other Machine Vision Applications
The complete solution for laboratory sample categorization came from the combination of the ME2P-1230-23U3C camera, VA-LCM-10MP-06MM-F1.8-110 lens, dual-bar light setup, and Zebra Aurora Vision software. Not only could the camera provide a detailed look at each sample over the wide FOV, but this setup also afforded the lab an opportunity to automate sample identification and sorting.
It is not only a vision system that can be confined to the laboratory. As such, the setup could easily find its applications in fields such as pharmaceutical, manufacturing, and quality control because it gives highly resolved images with a correct analysis. Moreover, the compact design of ME2P-1230-23U3C further makes it appropriate for places that have space limitations.
Want to get started in the design of your own sample categorization system, or another automation solution, with the help of one of our machine vision experts? Please don't hesitate to contact us using the form below!
