Our Service and Applications Engineers are available to support you to get the most from your Lambda supplied system or to help better understand how develop the solution for your application . Let us know of your concerns, improvements, or specific measurements you want to make. Contact Lambda on +44(0) 1582 764 334 or submit a service request and we will contact you within 2 hours.

In addition to a comprehensive range of repair and calibration options, Lambda offer equipment loan or rentals, engineering measurement services and specialised training as well as being present at select events and seminars during the year.

Lambda has a range of flexible services to ensure your products perform to the highest standards.  Please contact our service team if you wish to discuss:

• In-house service
• Service contracts
• On-site service visit
• One-off preventative maintenance
• Long term maintenance contracts
• Calibration services

Baumer introduce S-Mount kits for the MX series:

For further information and assistance, email [email protected] or telephone 01582 764334.

Description: SLS Optics used a Zygo Verifire-AT system to characterise coated flat optical surfaces used in their etalons to better than 1/150 wave.

Recommended Product: Zygo Verifire

SLS Optics  are based on the Isle of Man and were founded in 1995. They make products based on etalons that use coated flat surfaces that are flat to better than 1/150 wave. Since its inception SLS Optics have been using the Zygo GPI-XP system to measure these optics with great success. However for some measurements related to mechanical wedge, the GPI-XP was reaching the limit of its capabilities.

With both expansion and better measurement capabilities in mind SLS Optics looked to Zygo for a better solution. This was found in the VeriFire AT 1000. The VeriFire AT has the "Ring of Fire" technology that reduces coherent artifacts and is more noticeable when measuring such high quality optics. Also, the VeriFire AT 1000 uses a 1024 x 1024 CCD camera for higher spatial resolution and higher data density which in turn leads to more repeatable wedge angle measurements for very parallel surfaces. SLS has specified the highest lateral resolution imaging option available (1k x1k) which underlines its commitment to the tightest performance levels and the very best in Quality Assurance in the production of its ultra-flat precision optics.

Click here for more information from SLS Optics 
Click here to go the Zygo VeriFire AT web page 

SLS Optics is an integrated manufacturer of custom and OEM components for the ultraviolet, visible, near infrared regions of the spectrum. The company has also established itself as a leading supplier of high performance deep ultraviolet Fabry-Perot etalons and High Energy Laser Optics for Nd:glass laser systems.

22 Feb 2013

All releases linked with Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 SP1 (v10.0.40219). Windows 64 bit versions available for TroublePix, Hermes API and StreamPix 5. The 64 bit version supports only a limited number of compatible cameras and frame grabbers due to lack of native 64 bit drivers.

StreamPix 5: New version 5.17.0. (32/64 bit) changes:

• New option so that StreamPix can prompt the user before closing the current file
• New SMPTE support for Quick Time files
• New "Duplicate Camera Stream" option that allows two workspaces to work with the same camera feed
• New QuickZoom feature
• New JPEG lossless compression using IPP
• New argument for workspace addressing with SendRM utility SNAP_IMAGE command
• New support for Adobe Cinema DNG file format
• New support for JPEGXR (Windows Media Photo (.wdp))
• New Kinect module for StreamPix: Record both video and depth data as well as detected skeletons. Use Kinect depth information to start or stop recording
• New Saturation pseudo color LUT to give visual feedback while adjusting camera exposure and gain
• New Image Statistics module to replace Image Level module with multithread support, standard deviation calculation, 10 and 12 bit image format
• New NVIDIA Cuda based high speed JPEG compression for monochrome images
• New metadata management: Metadata are now saved to a separate file aside from the sequence file. Metadata can then be played back with the sequence and overlaid
• Complete rerwrite of Bayer interpolation algorithms for faster performance and better rendering (new Adaptive Homogeneity-Directed Demosaicing Algorithm)
• Complete rewrite of color processing, grading and white balancing for faster performance and more options for 8, 10 or 12 bit images
• Histogram module is now multithreaded for faster performance
• AVI files can now be exported to any supported formats
• Simplified and/or reworded the content of some settings pages
• Fixed a bug with the Recording Scheduler not working with some locales
• Fixed a bug where the "auto-export on stop recording" feature would not export correctly
• Linked with MCC DAQ v6.25
• AEC module: Bug Fix - The reader gets disabled if switching between NTSC and PAL
• Updated Batchprocessor and command line utility CLExport.exe for more functionalities

TroublePix: New version 2.27.0.5138 (32/64 bit) changes:

• Linked with Norpix Shared v5.17.0
• New option to browse recorded sequence by time stamp
• New "Go to Previous/Next Marker" commands
• New JPEG lossless compression using IPP
• New: Mouse wheel operates like sequence slider: Next / previous frame on wheel activation
• New: When opening status, display marker tab as default rather than log/status tab
• New: Mouse pan/scroll
• New Color Processing changes (color balance, color remapping)
• New 16 bit raw image to 48 bit color Bayer conversion for exports
• If loading a new grabber fails, reload previous grabber instead of switching to Norpix Virtual
• Some bug fixes and improvements
• Linked with MCC DAQ v6.25
• Bug Fix: On the Recording page the recording time control may display seconds part as negative value (-1)
• Bug Fix: Tool tip for sequence file name is not correct when opening multiple sequence files
• Bug Fix: When loading multiple sequences, double clicking on a sequence file should bring the viewer focus to the already open file rather than displaying an error message

Hermes API: New version January 22, 2013 (32/64 bit) changes:

• Linked with Norpix Shared v5.17.0
• New JPEG lossless compression using IPP
• New support for Adobe Cinema DNG file format
• New support for JPEGXR (Windows Media Photo (.wdp))
• New NVIDIA Cuda based high speed JPEG compression for monochrome images
• New classes for Bayer interpolation algorithms for faster performance and better rendering. Old classes are deprecated
• New classes for color processing, grading and white balancing for faster performance and more options for 8 and 10 or 12 bit images. Old classes are deprecated
• New metadata management: Metadata are now saved to a separate file aside from the sequence file
• Update Hermes .NET: Replace in_addr by unsigned long in the classes related to TCP
• Upgrade to IPP 7.0.7 for all accelerated pixel processing libraries.
• Bug Fix: Exporting 16 bit raw images to 48 bit TIFF color return corrupted images when using Laplacian 1 or 2 algorithm
• Bug Fix: Crash when pushing a raw 12 bit image to ApplyColorProcessing (color balance should not be allowed on raw/mono image format)
• Bug Fix: Color remapping applied on a 16 bit raw image produces a black image

For more information, please click here to email or contact Clive Phillips or Mark Bambrick on 01582 764334.

Lambda Photometrics Ltd is a leading UK Distributor for Laser and Light based products in areas including Optics, Electro-optic Testing, Spectroscopy, Machine Vision, Optical Metrology, Instrumentation, Microscopy and Pulsed Xenon Light Systems.

XIMEA’s MQ013RG-E2 USB3 vision camera is based on e2V’s Ruby EV76C661 sensors offering 1280 x 1024 pixel images; sensitive in the near infrared (NIR); peak quantum efficiency greater than 70 percent; global shutter; 60 frames per second; 5 Gbps data transfers; and integrated I/O in the world’s smallest USB3 Vision-compliant industrial camera, measuring just 26.4 x 26.4 x 21.6 mm.

The camera features integrated opto-isolated trigger input and illuminator control output, onboard non-volatile memory for user settings and custom data. Like all of XIMEA’s industrial cameras, each xiQ series ships with application programming interfaces (APIs) for 30 of the most common image-processing software programs, including libraries from Cognex, Matrox, National Instruments, MVTec, Norpix and many more.

Bundle Price for MQ013RG-E2 (-BRD) is £699

Includes:

• MQ-BRACKET-T MQ Series tripod mounting bracket with ¼-20 thread
• CBL-U3-3MO 3.0m USB 3.0 cable, with thumbscrews on Micro B connector
• Delivery included to UK address

For more information, please click here to email or contact Clive Phillips or Mark Bambrick on 01582 764334.

Lambda Photometrics Ltd is a leading supplier of Measurement, Characterisation and Analysis solutions in areas including Lasers, Optics, Electro-optic Testing, Spectroscopy, Fibre Optics, Machine Vision, Optical Metrology, Instrumentation, Microscopy and Pulsed Xenon Light Systems.

Introduction

Correlation to traceable certified standards is absolutely critical for any metrology tool. In an effort to show how well scanning white light interferometry (SWLI) compares to traditional methods of certifying roughness artifacts, a correlation study was performed which used three Zygo NewView profilers and four traceable roughness standards. The NewView profilers were compared by measuring several standards and calculating correlation coefficients between results and certified values. Correlation coefficients on the order of 0.999 were achieved for almost all comparisons; and differences between tools and standards were either smaller than or very close to the uncertainty of the certification. The high degree of correlation (as measured by the correlation coefficients) and small differences between the average measured values for most of the individual parameters for each tool lead to the conclusion that the NewView 5000, 6300, and 6300 with 1k camera are well correlated to each other and with traceable standards.

Study Description

Several versions of the NewView optical profilers measured the same parts and part locations to determine correlation. This application note will focus on roughness specimens. For additional detail as well as information on step height correlation, please refer to the supporting data for this document.

All roughness measurements used the same 5x SLWD Michelson objective with image zoom set to 1x. The same vertical and lateral standards calibrated the PZT objective scanner and lateral coordinates in the field of view prior to making measurements. Following calibration, the part was aligned using a crosshair and then moved a defined distance (laterally) away from the initial position by using a MetroPro pattern. Software post-processed 20 SWLI (scanning white light interferometry) data sets for each instrument at similar locations for using identical acquisition and analysis settings for each measurement.

Instrumentation

The following NewView Profilers were used for this study:

• NewView 5032 with analog VGA camera

• NewView 6300 with standard digital VGA camera

• NewView 6300 with optional digital 1k camera

Traceable Standards

The following standards were used for this study:

• Halle KNT2058-01 Ra = 216 nm

• Halle KNT2070-03 Ra = 23.8 nm
• Mahr PGN-1 Ra = 566 nm

• Mahr PGN-3 Ra = 820 nm

Roughness (Ra) Correlation

The instruments’ performance with respect to the certified Ra value for the four roughness standards was compared to the Makers’ certified measurements in two ways. The first method compared the horizontal and vertical lay data separately. The second method averaged the results from the horizontal and vertical lay tests. The standards’ certified Ra value – referred to as Maker’s Ra and Stylus Cert in the charts below – is subtracted from the measured Ra – referred to as WLI using FDA in the charts below (WLI refers to White Light Interferometry). This difference should be nominally zero. The maker’s calibration uncertainty for the certified value is shown as the Y-axis error bars around zero in the charts below.

For each standard, there are three measurement points in the plots – one for each of the NewView instruments used in this study.

Figure 1 – Differences with sample in a horizontal orientation

Figure 2 - Differences with sample in vertical orientation

Figure 3 - Differences with horizontal and vertical readings averaged

It can be seen that in the horizontal orientation, all the differences are quite close to the makers’ uncertainties. In the vertical lay orientation, there is an obvious outlier on the high side of the sinusoidal standards. This outlier is explained by the footnote¹ below.

Finally, when the lay data are averaged together and differenced from the certified values, we see very close agreement with the Makers’ uncertainties on all standards.

Observations and Conclusion

For the Halle standards, the parameter of particular interest is the Ra parameter which did measure within the uncertainty of the standard for all tools. The same can be said for Ra and Rz on the Mahr standards.

The high degree of correlation (as measured by the correlation coefficients) and small differences between the average measured values for most of the individual parameters for each tool lead to the conclusion that the NewView 5000, 6300, and 6300 with 1k camera are well correlated to each other and with traceable standards.

footnote¹ This is the NV 5000 data which experiences data dropout due to the use of an analog camera when the lay is vertical. This dropout cannot be corrected. The NV6000 is an all digital system whose data does not suffer this data dropout, and its data is very similar to the data seen in the horizontal lay plot.

12 Jan 2012
 
Convert your iPhone or iPad into a 30x to 400x microscope system by using the AirMicro manufactured by Japanese company Scalar Corporation.

Convert your iPhone or iPad into a 30x to 400x microscope system by using the AirMicro manufactured by Japanese company Scalar Corporation.

Air Micro and iPad/iPhone/iPod touch are connected via a Wi-Fi and easy to use continuously at the office, at home, in school, wherever you wish.

Setting of AirMirco with iPad

Setting Of AirMicro with IPhone
 

The range of applications includes:

Industry - inspect for leaks, cracks and corrosion of manufacturing products.

Crime-scene investigation - snap images on an iPhone and email them to a colleague at the lab or to a collaborative agency.

Field Science - examine specimens on site without destroying a sample to transport to a lab.

Telemedicine - show patients live images and add these images into practice management apps and software.

Education - students would simultaneously see the examined specimen, the capture feature via Wi-Fi allows the image to be saved on each students iPad at the same time.

Beauty - evaluate skin surface conditions to check what kind of treatment is suitable.

Call Clive Phillips or Mark Bambrick on 01582 764334 for a demonstration of this portable microscope with an Apple mobile device to view live images, freeze and capture them to the Photo album of the device.

iPad/iPhone/iPod touch are the trademark of Apple.

09 Mar 2012

LATAB, the Swedish manufacturer of LED illumination for image processing, introduces (at the international trade fair for quality assurance "Control" from May 8 to 11 in Stuttgart) a new coaxial illumination for especially large surfaces.

The distinguishing feature of the coaxial light is the large light aperture of 145 x 145 millimeters with external dimensions of only 190 x 153 x 150 millimeters. This makes the lamp head one of the largest coaxial lighting heads available in the machine vision industry; it is however also suitable for small assembly dimensions.

The LED illumination of LATAB can be operated in both continuous and strobe mode - as is the case with all of the company's lighting heads. Brightness during strobe operation is up to 6 times higher. LATAB also offers matched controllers that were developed specifically for this illumination series. Besides five different sizes, with light apertures between 25 x 25 and 145 x 145 millimeters, the illumination colors red, white, blue, green, as well as infrared and ultraviolet are available.

Coaxial illumination is utilized when diffuse lighting is required in industrial image processing, for example to illuminate highly reflecting surfaces homogeneously, and to avoid reflections.

For more information, please see the LATAB Industrial LED Lighting product page, click here to email or contact Clive Phillips or Mark Bambrick on 01582 764334.
 
Lambda Photometrics Ltd is a leading UK Distributor for Laser and Light based products in areas including Optics, Electro-optic Testing, Spectroscopy, Machine Vision, Optical Metrology, Instrumentation, Microscopy and Pulsed Xenon Light Systems.