Basic Optical Trigger for Proof Of Concept System On Conveyor Belt

Why not just set up a video camera?

Everything will be captured and you can just freeze the frame for a particular bin if needed.

It's a high resolution application where an area scan camera could not cope with that line speed.

http://imperx.com/

Assuming that the line always moves at the same speed, you could just time the shots accordingly.

The line speed is sync-ed to the frame grabber and camera via encoder but the distance between the bins will be varied so external trigger will be required.

From everything you said all you need is a small computer ( if you want a roll your own type deal) Then an electric Eye as was mentioned above by someone regarding the safety for a garage door opener. These are available with USB connections and from there use a camera that is triggered by the USB connected Hi Def web Cam. There are quite a few on the market. I used to work at Snowkist in WA state and they used the electric eye ( That is what they were called in the old days) Now it is optical Switch and optical sensor. The point is It did not take a picture but it did cause a Inc Jet type of printer to Print a bar code on the side that had a date and lot number. It was very simple and very inexpensive. There are many programs IF you want to use a computer and make your own. There used to be a program on TV about two years ago about science in Alabama where they shot a watermelon through the air to simulate a meteor. They used a camera that was connected via USB to watch for the watermelon as they new the trajectory. When the Camer Saw the Watermelon it sent a message via USB to the computer then to a gun that shot the watermelon. It never did hit the watermelon as it was not set up correctly to account for latency. An easy thing to account for just by moving the sensor. But if you look up conveyor controls you will find already packaged deals. I doubt one with a camera but the sensor that in turn will trigger the camera are available. Then chose a camera that will handle the shot you want at the speed it needs to be. Cesare

"... would prefer off the shelf or common stocked items..."

Garage door safety sensor? Common, reliable, and cheap.

This would likely need to be used together with... something. Depends on spacing between these bins, which I assume to be a small gap. Might not recover or sample fast enough.

This could work for POC but this will be installed in a industrial environment and would prefer a more robust solution. The distance between bins will be 2 to 3 times the bin length. 36" - 48"

Some thoughts:

TriggerSmart - Quantum Instruments

Setting up IR camera trigger. - YouTube

Gentles Limited: gentLED

I'm not getting the proof of concept part. It looks like it's already been proven.
http://www.ophiropt.com/laser-measurement-instruments/beam-profilers/products/industrial-applications/the-cameras/SP503U

OK more accurately, I'm building a working demo system.

The laser system is over specification, a basic IR emitter and detector is all that i'm looking for in some type of industrial package.

Try this one. I forgot the company from US, we use to have as our supplier for IR and proximity sensors way back then with some of your application.

OMRON makes some dandy sensors, and they are available at most any electrical/industrial supply house.

Banner is a well-known manufacturer of industrial photoelectric sensors. They have a variety of sensing modes and outputs.

Yup... first rate stuff. This application calls for a photcell source and receiver setup across the belt. Use the rising edge to trigger your vision system.

How in depth of a product identification do you need? http://www.ni.com/vision/systems/

You will have a significant investment if you go this route, but it will be fully customized to your whims and wishes

I had forgot about NI. That is one easy way to do the job and it will do a great deal more. Good answer even if it is Not what this guy wants. But maybe it is. Regardless NI stuff works. A little Pricy but it works. Cesare

A darkened tunnel fitted with a strobe (flashgun ) and one of the already mentioned triggers will provide a "still" image.

Jim

Thanks to all that replied with sensor information. We ended up going with a Takex photo sensor. Works great! Heres a little more info on the project, some replies were not focused on the sensor. This was a line scan camera application because of the speed of the belt 660' a min and the high resolution image requirement. Used a brand new Basler Pilot 4K line scan camera with a Bitflow frame grabber board. I am very impressed with the cameras resolution at the speed the belt is traveling...

Regards,

Ross J

www.motionanalysisinc.com