Rochester, VT – Advanced illumination, the originator of LED lighting for machine vision inspection, releases its new DCS-400E and DCS-800E multi-channel controllers.  The DCS-400E (Quad Controller) features 4 output channels, while the DCS-800E (Quad X2) features 8 output channels.  These Quad Controllers are ideal for applications that require multi-channel lights and/or multi-light stations.  Multi-light stations are currently limited to a group of identical light heads; a future development will allow the Quad Controllers to drive up to eight different lights simultaneously.  Capable of providing sequenced strobing, the DCS-400E and DCS-800E are perfect for computational imaging applications, including photometric stereo; extended depth of field; combined bright field + dark field; high dynamic range; and high-resolution color.  The controllers are engineered with Ai’s proprietary SignaTech^TM control system which optimizes light performance, delivers exceptional illumination quality, and provides long-term stability for any inspection system.

Along with the capability of being custom-programmed, the DCS-400E and DCS-800E have built-in, pre-programmed sequencing, allowing the controllers to cycle through pre-determined lighting “recipes”.  This provides users the ability to automatically time a lighting sequence and output a correlated camera trigger, and to do so through multiple pre-programmed routines.  As an example, by using the DCS’ frame-start signal, it is possible to synchronize a camera exposure to capture each channel as they flash in a sequence.  This is crucial in photometric stereo applications where the camera must be carefully synchronized in order to capture multiple flashes.

The Quad Controller family is not limited to computational imaging; the controllers provide sequenced overdrive strobing or continuous-on drive modes, making the DCS-400E and DCS-800E perfect for standard machine vision applications requiring multi-channel lights and/or multi-light stations.  By using one controller in a multi-light line, users can conserve valuable space and capital by reducing the number of controllers needed to achieve multiple inspections in one station.  And since the DCS-400E and DCS-800E are housed in a compact enclosure with DIN rail mounting, they deliver effective thermal dissipation while integrating seamlessly into vision system applications.

The Ai Quad Controllers are currently compatible with the DF198 MicroBrite^TM Diffuse Dark Field Ring Light Series, along with a number of other Ai lighting products.  An adapter will soon be available to control all Ai lighting products whose power requirements don’t exceed that of the Quad Controllers’ output capacity.