Powerful 3D Vision: The new Ensenso N camera models are compact, lightweight and collaborative

The Ensenso N-Series is a compact and robust 3D camera system designed specifically for 3D applications in robotics and automated series production. Thanks to IP65/67 protection, it is also well-suited for use in harsher environments. The camera family is now being expanded by the new N40 and N45 models. They feature a novel design both inside and outside. Lightweight and with rounded edges, they open up new application possibilities, for example in collaborative robotics.
The housing of the new Ensenso N40/N45 3D cameras is made of fibre-reinforced plastic – resulting in the lightest stereo vision cameras with Gigabit Ethernet in the IDS product range. When mounted on a robot arm, for example, this means less stress on the robot mechanics. The cameras also minimise the risk of injury thanks to their rounded edges. As a result, they also excel in collaborative use with human colleagues. Furthermore, the housing meets the requirements of protection class IP65/67 and is effectively protected against dirt, dust and water spray.

Figure 1: The new Ensenso N models are made of fibre-reinforced plastic

Electronics have also been revised for the new 3D cameras: The improved infrared projector enables higher light output and has an optimised heat management. This results, among other things, in better data quality or higher clock rates. The projector is optionally available with blue illumination in the visible range (465 nm) or with infrared illumination (850 nm).

The new models each include two monochrome CMOS sensors (global shutter, 1280 x 1024 pixels) and are equipped with screwable GPIO connectors for trigger and flash. Power-over-Ethernet allows data transfer and power supply to be realised even over long cable distances. The Ensenso selector on the IDS website helps customers to choose the right camera model.

A new stereo matching process, which is available as standard for all models when using the Ensenso SDK 3.0, also ensures particularly detailed point clouds. “PatchMatch” works extremely effectively with a large distance range at different object distances and without significant effects on the execution speed of the algorithm. This benefits, for example, applications in which large volumes are to be captured in the shortest possible time.

Figure 2: Ensenso N cameras are also available as models with aluminum housing

The new Ensenso models can be purchased from IDS, a leading manufacturer of digital industrial cameras with USB or GigE interface as well as 3D cameras with a wide range of sensors and variants. With the Ensenso stereo vision cameras, the company offers a solution for 3D image acquisition that excels in terms of precision as well economy and speed. Whether with fully integrated housing, modular design or integrated data processing: the Ensenso N, X and XR families provide solutions for the most diverse requirements. With the highly flexible, intelligent IDS NXT industrial cameras for deep learning-based tasks and adaptive robot vision solutions, the company is continuously opening up new dimensions in image processing.

Figure 3: 3D cameras enable robots to “see” and drive forward automation

Since its foundation in 1997 as a two-man company, IDS has developed into an independent, ISOcertified family business with more than 300 employees. The headquarters in Obersulm, Germany, is both a development and production site. With branches in the United Kingdom, USA, Japan and South Korea as well as other offices, it is represented internationally.

All Ensenso N models at a glance

 

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