Product category: Stand-Alone Instruments
News Release from: Wells Research and Development | Subject: AlignmentStudio
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 30 May 2003
Modular system provides
bespoke optical testing
AlignmentStudio is a new family of modular hardware and software tools for rapid development of optical test and measurement fixtures
Based on a flexible, mix-and-match design, AlignmentStudio features a selection of tightly integrated components, including optical instruments, image analysis software, and mounting hardware. The unique dovetail design permits complex systems to be quickly assembled and disassembled, while maintaining precision and rigidity when locked in place.
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"Creating an optical measurement system has always presented the engineer with a wide array of challenges", said Ben Wells, President of Wells Research and Development.
"Assembly fixtures, especially, can be key to making a smooth transition from hand-assembled prototypes to volume production.
Leaving these fixtures to the last minute can be a costly mistake.
AlignmentStudio provides the engineer with a higher level of integration, allowing them to concentrate on performing the measurement task instead of constructing the fixture".
AlignmentStudio is based on a modular, desktop design that creates a suite of precision optical instruments autocollimators, and more.
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Systems are configured from a set of integrated precision optical components, including light sources, detectors, collimator tubes, and lenses.
All components feature a unique dovetail mounting system that makes it easy to connect the parts in a precise and reliable manner.
Instruments can be quickly disassembled for cleaning or can be reused in other setups.
The keyed dovetails guarantee the system cannot be reconfigured in an optically incorrect manner.
Originally developed for lens testing, an application that requires extremely high quality imaging, each AlignmentStudio lensed component includes a certificate of optical performance.
Components include: collimator tubes, sources and detectors, and auxiliary lenses.
AlignmentStudio systems feature the company's PixelScope image analysis software.
Based on the same modular design concepts as the AlignmentStudio hardware, PixelScope features a powerful array of functions.
Users can capture and display live images and zoom down to the pixel level.
Images can be averaged over multiple camera frames to reduce noise and ROI (region of interest) selection can be performed in real time.
Analysis tools include feature and edge finding, histogram, spot size, and encircled energy.
"Frame grabber cards and software libraries can significantly slow the development process", said Ben Wells.
"PixelScope has the right feature set to allow engineers to work at a higher level of integration, focusing their time on making real time measurements, not writing software".
PixelScope is also available as an OCX for incorporation into customer projects.
In this form, PixelScope provides the front-end to display and manage images in real time.
ROIs can be automated or performed in real time by hand.
Data is accessible as an array from the host application.
AlignmentStudio provides a wide range of extrusions, clamps, and motion components for quick and easy assembly of robust, mechanical structures to support the instruments.
Unlike traditional optical test systems that provide hard-wired configurations, AlignmentStudio allows the creation of a variety of complex optical systems using individual components.
R and D can build proof-of-concept prototypes, optical engineering can create more complex optical test systems, and production can develop assembly and alignment fixtures.
For instance, to check the placement accuracy of semiconductor chips in a multi-component package, the test engineer would create an AlignmentStudio 10x microscope by combining a 200mm collimator tube "L", adding a VGA FireWire camera, an auxiliary 10x lens (NA 1.4, F2.8), and fixed rail mount.
This could then be combined with PixelScope software for dimensional measurement capability.
This system is quickly configured without the usual requirement of multiple phone calls to different vendors.
AlignmentStudio includes a range of optical components, mounting hardware, and PixelScope software.
PixelScope runs on a Windows 2000 or Windows XP system.
Final configurations vary according to the selection of components and accessories.
Prices start at US $6000.
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