Edge Detect Camera

Drawings/photos | Firmware | Parts | Procedures | Requirements | Reference Documents | Specifications | Troubleshooting

Overview

Currently, the edge detection of plates on the drum is done by the thermal head's focus laser. To improve on the accuracy and speed of edge detection, an edge detect camera can be used. One of the major advantages of the camera system is that it can do edge detection while the drum is spinning—unlike the focus laser that requires the drum to be stationary. Another important advantage is that the edge detection can be configured to be done anywhere around the drum.
The main system components for the camera are a camera block, a LED driver board, and the Gigabit Main Control Electronics (GMCE) board (version D or later). The camera used is a black and white ultra-miniature camera (see specifications below for details).
The camera block provides a NTSC video signal to the GMCE board's video decoder. The GMCE board sends the video frames to the system firmware and also controls the LEDs on the LED driver board.
The edge detect camera can be used on devices that have either a TH2 or a TH3.

Specifications

Weldex model KPC-S500B camera specifications

This camera replaces the discontinued Weldex model WDH-2500bs.

• Monochrome mini square series
• Size: 25 mm x 25 mm (one inch x one inch)
• Sensitivity: 0.05 lux minimum
• Resolution: over 420 lines of resolution for high quality images
• Output: Standard NTSC video signal

Weldex model WDH-2500bs camera specifications

This camera has been discontinued.

• Black and white ultra-miniature camera
• Size: one inch by one inch
• Sensitivity: 0.03 lux minimum
• Resolution: over 420 lines of resolution for high quality images
• Accuracy: ten microns per pixel with a 16 mm lens
• Output: Standard NTSC video signal
• Field: camera field is 6 mm

Reference Documents

White papers

• Edge Detect Camera White Paper

Parts

Weldex model KPC-S500B (Generation 2 Camera)

The generation 2 camera assembly can be distinguished from the old camera in the following ways:

• The new assembly only has a single LED driver board fitted.
• The new assembly has a knurled knob to fasten the metal bracket that holds the LED driver board.

Camera assembly

• 500-05190A : Camera assembly for TH2 and TH3 devices
  (order this assembly when replacing a camera)
• 518-01881B : TH2 Upgrade kit
  (order this kit to upgrade a TH2 device that does not have a camera)
• 518-01882B : TH3 Upgrade kit
  (order this kit to upgrade a TH3 device that does not have a camera)
• LED driver board : 503-00327A
• LEDs and cable : 220-02228A (two LEDs per cable)
• Alignment jig : 690-01197A

Weldex model WDH-2500bs (discontinued)

Cables

• 220-01508A : GMCE (J18) to camera assembly's first LED driver board (J1) and last LED driver board (J2)
• 10-9095A : hotlink cable from GMCE (CAM_IN_1) to camera assembly's first LED driver board (J4)

Other

• 512-00420A : Camera mounting shim kit
  See FCO CA11617

Drawing/photos

• Edge detect camera block diagram
• Electrical connections

Sample images

Shows the edge detect strip

Shows the drum

Shows a plate (right), shadow, and the drum

Shows plate edge over the edge detect strip

Edge detect at a configurable drum position

Procedures

See the Procedures page.

System Requirements

• Controlled Release 4.1 or higher (new camera)
• GMCE board version D or higher
• Automotion drum amplifier
• Universal carriage version C or higher

Useful firmware commands

• camera : shows how many LED boards are connected and looks for a valid video signal (useful for troubleshooting)
• strobe test : tests the four LED strobe lights
• edgecam : displays all of the edge detect camera NVS parameters
• option camera-edge-detect : to enable or disable the camera (must reset after changing this parameter)
• set edgecam strobeduration : LED strobe duration in micro sec (default is 20)
• set edgecam strobeintensity : LED strobe intensity range 0 to 15 (default is 4)
• set edgecam msoffset : mainscan camera position in degrees
• set edgecam calibmediathick : media thickness in microns (used for camera calibration)
• set edgecam scale : scale in microns per camera pixel (used for camera calibration)
• set edgecam ssoffset : subscan offset between camera and focus laser in millimeters

Troubleshooting

See the Troubleshooting page.