DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3

Product Overview and Description

The DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 is a high-performance, modular monochrome area scan camera from Teledyne DALSA, designed for demanding machine vision and industrial inspection applications. This camera serves as the primary image acquisition sensor, capturing high-resolution, high-speed images of products, components, or materials for subsequent processing and analysis by vision software. The DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 is built on a robust, flexible platform that allows for configuration with various sensors and interfaces, making it a versatile tool for integration into automated production lines. It is engineered to deliver exceptional image quality and reliability in challenging factory environments.

Product Parameters

• Device Type: Industrial Area Scan Camera (Monochrome).
• Platform: Genie Nano Series from Teledyne DALSA.
• Model Variant (R3): This suffix typically indicates a specific housing variant, connector type (e.g., M12), or synchronization feature set. The ‘M6400’ denotes the core sensor specification.
• Sensor Resolution: Likely based on a 2/3″ CMOS sensor with a resolution of 6400 (e.g., 640 x 480, 1280 x 1024, or other variations). The exact resolution must be confirmed from the full part number.
• Frame Rate: High frame rate, dependent on the specific sensor and selected region of interest (ROI), often capable of hundreds of frames per second.
• Shutter Type: Global shutter (standard for machine vision to prevent motion blur).
• Interface: Typically Gigabit Ethernet (GigE Vision) for long cable runs, fast data transfer, and easy integration, though Camera Link variants may exist.
• Lens Mount: Standard C-mount.
• I/O Connections: Typically includes general-purpose I/O (GPIO) for triggering (input) and strobe/flash control (output).
• Power Supply: 12-24V DC via the communication cable (PoE) or a separate power connector.
• Environmental Rating: Rugged industrial housing, often rated IP65/67 for dust and water ingress protection.
• Software Support: Compatible with DALSA Sapera and other third-party GigE Vision/GenICam compliant software (e.g., Cognex VisionPro, Halcon, OpenCV).

Advantages and Key Features

1. High-Speed Image Capture: The DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 is engineered for rapid image acquisition, enabling inspection of fast-moving objects on high-speed production lines without sacrificing image detail.
2. Excellent Image Quality: Featuring a high-quality global shutter CMOS sensor, it delivers sharp, low-noise images with high contrast, which is critical for accurate measurement, defect detection, and OCR applications.
3. Rugged Industrial Design: Housed in a compact, robust metal casing with a high IP rating, the DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 is built to withstand vibration, shock, and harsh environmental conditions common in manufacturing.
4. GigE Vision Interface: The Gigabit Ethernet interface provides reliable, long-distance communication (up to 100m) without expensive frame grabbers, simplifying system architecture and reducing cost.
5. Flexible Configuration and Control: As part of the Genie Nano platform, it offers extensive programmability via GenICam, allowing control over exposure, gain, ROI, and lookup tables (LUTs) to optimize performance for specific tasks.

Application Cases in Various Fields

• Electronics Manufacturing: Inspecting surface mount technology (SMT) components on printed circuit boards (PCBs) for presence, alignment, and solder joint quality.
• Pharmaceutical Packaging: Verifying date/lot codes, checking label presence and alignment, and inspecting blister packs for missing pills or defects.
• Automotive Parts Inspection: Performing dimensional gauging of precision-machined components, detecting scratches or cracks on cast parts, and reading Data Matrix codes on assemblies.
• Food and Beverage: Sorting produce by size or color, inspecting packaging seals for integrity, and ensuring fill levels are correct, all using the high-speed imaging of the DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3.

Comparison with Competing Products

The DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 competes with industrial cameras from other leading vendors like Basler (ace series), FLIR (Blackfly S), and Cognex (In-Sight series). Compared to more basic USB cameras, it offers superior robustness, deterministic performance, and longer cable lengths. Within the machine vision camera market, its advantages include Teledyne DALSA’s reputation for high-quality sensors, the flexibility of the modular Genie Nano platform, and excellent support through the Sapera software suite. Compared to smart cameras (like Cognex In-Sight), the DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 is a “dumb” sensor that requires a separate PC for processing, offering greater processing power and flexibility for complex applications but requiring more system integration.

Selection Suggestions and Precautions

• Selection Advice:
  • Application Requirements First: Define the required resolution (based on feature size and field of view), necessary frame rate (based on line speed), and lighting conditions before selecting the specific sensor model within the CR-GEN0 platform.
  • Interface Choice: GigE is the standard for most new systems. Ensure your host PC has a dedicated Gigabit Ethernet port and consider using a managed switch for multi-camera setups.
  • Lens Selection: The camera is only as good as its lens. Partner the DALSA CR-GEN0-M6400R3 with a high-quality, appropriately sized C-mount machine vision lens. Consult lens calculators to determine focal length.
• Important Precautions:
  • Proper Triggering: For consistent image capture of moving objects, use the camera’s hardware trigger input synchronized with the part position (e.g., from a photoelectric sensor or encoder). Relying on free-run mode can cause image blur or inconsistency.
  • Adequate and Stable Lighting: Machine vision is 90% lighting. Invest in a proper, stable vision lighting system (LED lights, strobe controllers) tailored to your inspection task. Inadequate lighting will cause inspection failures.
  • Secure Cabling: Use industrial-grade, shielded Ethernet cables (CAT5e/6 or better) with locking connectors (M12 or screw-lock RJ45) to prevent disconnection and ensure signal integrity in electrically noisy environments.
  • Heat Management: In high-duty-cycle applications, ensure adequate airflow around the camera. Some high-speed models can generate significant heat.
  • Configuration Backup: Once the camera is optimally configured for your application, save the configuration file (.ccf) to a secure location. This allows for quick replacement or recovery.