NS42 Smart Vision Sensor for Challenging Machine Vision Applications

Zebra Technologies’ NS42 Smart Vision Sensor is a powerful new solution crafted to meet the challenging needs of modern production inspections and OCR-based identification.

Engineered to seamlessly address tough machine vision inspection applications, the NS42 is available with a Deep-Learning-Based Anomaly Detection tool for defect detection and assembly verification tasks, as well as a Deep-Learning-Based OCR tool for reliable, accurate reads without training.

This smart vision sensor is an ideal choice for demanding industrial automation tasks that require advanced machine learning capabilities.

Aurora Focus 9.0 introduces a Deep-Learning-Based Anomaly Detection tool for defect detection and assembly verification. Since this tool requires only images of defect-free products for training—significantly reducing setup and training time compared to rule-based systems—it is highly adaptable to variations in products and processes.

Unlike the Deep-Learning-Based OCR tool, this tool requires task-specific training, which is done using the Aurora Focus Deep Learning Editor. The process involves gathering normal reference images, training the model, and testing it with both normal and abnormal images. Once trained, the model is loaded into the Anomaly Detection tool within an Aurora Focus job, generating a heatmap to highlight anomalies, providing intuitive insights into defect locations and severity.

Options to support your machine vision applications include:

• integrated and field replaceable illumination modules;
• network connectivity options;
• up to nine digital I/O ports plus a USB-C port for multiple peripheral and process automation options;
• power choices, including PoE+ and more.

The NS42 lets users add new tools and capabilities via software licenses, ensuring scalability as operational needs evolve—flexibility that most traditional rule-based systems lack. NS42 devices are available factory-licensed for the Essential (Machine Vision) toolset, which is the Standard (Machine Vision) toolset with standard barcode/2D reading capability, as well as Deep-Learning-based Anomaly Detection and/or OCR tools.

Separate device upgrade licenses are available to add Deep-Learning-based Anomaly Detection or OCR capability to NS42 smart vision sensor as well as FS42 Fixed Industrial Scanner.