Would you open the machine every time to check the interaction of components or wear? There is no point in that. It is much easier to keep an eye on the situation by using a camera. Models from the consumer sector are quite common, but they also come with downsides: they are often only available for a very limited time - and usually, spare parts are hard to obtain. IDS Imaging Development Systems is therefore now launching the "uEye Live" camera series with the uEye SCP and uEye SLE product lines. They specialise in monitoring tasks, deliver various live streams and even allow event recording.
The monitoring cameras from IDS combine streaming and event recording. Image Credit: IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH
The GigE cameras are designed for standalone operation. In addition to easy access via the web front end (HTTP), users benefit from video streaming, hardware-accelerated video encoding and event-based recording in the camera memory. This means that if an incident occurs, the cameras provide a valuable "window into the past".
Depending on the intended purpose, users can choose from different design variants: the uEye SCP series has a completely closed, 29x29x29 mm housing. The uEye SLE line consists of board-level models for embedded applications with different mounting options. As of now, the first uEye SCP camera with the 8.3 MP rolling shutter sensor IMX678 from the Sony Starvis 2 series is available. The board-level version and additional sensors will follow in 2025.
Philipp Ohl, Head of Product Management at IDS, explains: "These monitoring cameras are industrial-grade, compact and cost-effective. They can deliver multiple video streams at the same time - and thanks to Sony Starvis 2 technology, they provide truly impressive image quality even in low-light situations." The integrated ISP with automatic image enhancement features also plays an important role in this.
In total, there are three parallel streams available. In addition to H264, the models also offer MJPEG via HTTP, which enables direct display in the web browser without additional plug-ins or third-party software. The RTSP protocol ensures standardised integration of H264 streams into existing tools and applications. Thanks to a web-based REST API, the cameras can be easily integrated into machine control systems.