Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera or the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied along the observation axis of the machine vision camera. The illumination device contains a light source to illuminate a curved beam splitter and a diffuser is located therebetween. The diffuser is mounted inclined with respect to the observation axis and the curved beam splitter minimizes the height of the illumination source and facilitates supplying a more uniform field of illumination to the object to be observed. The inclined diffuser only indirectly illuminates of the object to be observed.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera or the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied along the observation axis of the machine vision camera. The diffuser is mounted parallel to the observation axis but separated from the beam splitter by a microlouver filter so that the microlouver filter prevents diffused light from the diffuser from directly illuminating any point of interest on the surface of the object to be observed. The microlouver filter only allows indirect illumination of the object to be observed by the diffuser and provides improved uniform illumination of the object to be observed.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera or the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied along the observation axis of the machine vision camera. The diffuser is mounted parallel to the observation axis but recessed within the housing, i.e. either completely shielded by the beam splitter or spaced from an adjacent edge of a viewing aperture a sufficient distance so as to prevent any ray of light from the diffuser from directly illuminating any point of interest on the surface of the object to be observed. The recessing of the diffuser prevents direct illumination by the diffuser and provides improved uniform illumination of the object to be observed.

Abstract: An illumination device for illuminating an object to be observed, by a machine vision camera of the like for example, with a continuous diffuse wide angle light which is supplied both along the viewing axis of the machine vision camera and off axis. The diffuser of the present invention is tilted with respect to the observation axis so that the diffuser is not viewable by the object to be observed. This provides better uniformity of the light which illuminates the object. A second diffuser may be utilized to provide illumination of the object with light of reduced intensity.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for providing a continuous, uniform, diffuse lighting environment for use in conjunction with electronic machine vision, or manual microscope inspection systems to inspect specular surfaces such as soldered circuits, ball bearings, reflective packaging, relective packaging, etc. The disclosed invention effectively eliminates apparent variations in surface brightness caused by the reflection of discontinuities in traditional machine vision lighting systems that typically require windows or viewing openings or orifices to allow visual access to the object being observed, thus allowing for a true observation signal from which the effect of surface geometry has been substantially removed.

Abstract: A machine for automatically joining front and back parts of buttons employs a turntable with nests that are rotated through a series of stations at which the parts are placed in the nests in a desired orientation, joined, and checked for defects. Orientation of the parts is achieved by video imaging of a first part as it is randomly placed in a nest, and computer-controlled placement of the second part based on the ascertained position of the first part.

Abstract: A light source suitable for illuminating work pieces imaged by machine vision cameras. A beam splitter mirror is located within the camera optical axis, a uniform intensity light source provides light to a diffuser and the diffused light is reflected from the beam splitter to uniformly illuminate the object being observed by the camera with a minimum of stray reflections or glare. Stray and incidental light is absorbed by a light trap located in opposed relation to the diffuser.

Abstract: A guitar, preferably of the acoustic type, but adaptable for electrical amplification, wherein the guitar components may be readily disassembled and assembled to simplify handling and storage, the assembled components being maintained in their proper relationship by the tension of the strings. Acoustical quality is achieved by an inflatable bladder attached to the underside of the face panel, the bladder being encased within an envelope releasably affixed to the face panel periphery.

Abstract: A compact device and method for asceptically filling containers eliminates the need for clean work stations. A small enclosure has an outlet opening adapted to fit over and surround the neck of a pre-sterilized bottle. Sterile pressurized gas is introduced into the enclosure which is contoured to force the gas to flow at high velocity through the outlet opening, thereby causing the gas to flow into the bottle and to form a curtain of sterile high velocity gas which surrounds the bottle neck and prevents entry of ambient air. While the gas continues to flow, the bottle is filled with sterile media which passes through enclosure and displaces sterile gas in the bottle while being protected from contamination by the sterile flowing curtain.