NI Embedded Vision System Combines Multicore Processors and Multiple Cameras to Provide Faster Inspections

AUSTIN, Texas – June 9, 2009 – National Instruments (Nasdaq: NATI) today announced the release of a new embedded vision system that gives manufacturing engineers and system integrators the ability to build high-speed real-time visual inspection systems for sorting products, verifying assembly and inspecting packaging. The NI EVS-1464RT Embedded Vision System (EVS) is a high-performance, multicore controller capable of processing images from multiple IEEE 1394 and GigE Vision cameras. Additionally, the NI EVS-1464RT features unextended temperature range, a real-time operating system, solid state hard drive and a fanless design making it ideal for use in harsh industrial environments.

"In our industrial inspection machines, we prefer embedded devices with real-time operating systems because they are dependable and often do not require IT department intervention,” said Ivan Meissner, general manager of Qualimatest Technologies. "By standardizing on the embedded vision system from National Instruments, we are able to achieve the multicore performance of an industrial PC with the reliability and security of a real-time embedded system."

The NI EVS-1464RT features various camera connectivity options that give engineers the ability to use many different types of cameras to perform simultaneous inspections ranging from VGA and high-resolution area scan, to color, high-speed linescan and infrared. The NI EVS-1464RT also includes a wide range of digital I/O and industrial communication options that make it possible for the system to communicate and integrate with automation devices such as programmable automation controllers, programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, sensors and actuators to perform faster inspections.

The NI EVS-1464RT can be configured with NI Vision Builder for Automated Inspection (AI), an interactive software environment for building, benchmarking and deploying machine vision applications without programming. With this intuitive, menu-driven software, engineers can build complex machine vision applications incorporating not only vision algorithms but also advanced decision-making with looping and branching using the built-in state diagram editor. For more advanced applications, the NI EVS-1464RT also can integrate with NI LabVIEW graphical design software and Vision Development Module, the full NI library of image processing functions. Because both software packages work with all NI vision hardware, engineers easily can manage and maintain multiple hardware systems, choose the appropriate hardware for new applications and switch between both software options with minimal effort.