Basler scout and Basler pilot cameras are employed in many industrial applications. They are used for automation tasks such as pick and place, separation, and quality control. For ease of integration, each camera provides a powerful digital I/O interface to communicate with external devices. The camera interface can be used with different voltage ranges including TTL (0-5 V) and CMOS (0-3.3 V).

PLC Cable

Because the typical PLC voltage level is from 0 to 24 volts, when the cameras are in a PLC environment, use of the I/O interface requires particular attention. To adapt the voltage level of a PLC signal to the voltage level of the camera I/O, a special PLC cable is required. The cable includes an electronic device that adapts the PLC voltage level and also protects the camera against negative voltage peaks.

The PLC cable must be used whenever the camera is used in a PLC application. The cable is available in two different versions – as a three meter cable (Hirose connector - open end) and as a ten meter cable (Hirose connector – open end).

Debouncer Feature

To enhance the operational reliability of Basler Basler scout and Basler pilot cameras in industrial environments, a new debouncer feature has been introduced. The feature separates short invalid signals applied to the camera's input lines from longer valid signals. Short invalid signals are filtered out and longer signals are recognized as valid trigger signals.

 
The debouncer feature must be used whenever a Basler scout or pilot camera is used in an industrial environment and is triggered by an external signal. With the factory default settings, the debouncer feature is disabled. Please refer to your camera’s user manual for information about using the debouncer feature.

The debouncer feature is included in all Basler scout and pilot cameras with firmware version 3.0 or higher.

Excellent image quality is a signature feature of Basler cameras. The Basler scout and Basler pilot camera series are no exception, and they are raising the bar even higher by adding new features.

The newest added feature is dust and dirt protection for the sensor enclosure. Preventing dust and dirt from entering the sensor area is a tough job. First, there must be no dust in the air during production of the cameras, and Basler’s production process has been updated to eliminate any dust in the air. Next, each camera must operate for months or years in often harsh industrial conditions, and this demands appropriate dust protection inside the camera. To ensure that Basler scout and pioneer cameras will have the appropriate level of dust protection, they are tested at least two times during production. The first test is implemented as part the focal length adjustment procedure and the second test is performed as a final check. Once the tests are passed, the lens mount threads are covered with a secure cap.

All production steps are performed in a clean room environment since the end of 2007. This prevents small particles that can influence image quality or affect image processing results from entering the cameras during production.