Top 10 3D Cameras Alternatives

  • Basler blaze Time-of-Flight 3D Camera
  • Basler Stereo Camera
  • COGNEX In-Sight 3D-L4000
  • COGNEX 3D-A1000 Dimensioning System
  • COGNEX 3D-L4000 with VisionPro
  • Basler RGB-D Solution
  • Hikrobot Line Laser 3D Camera
  • COMAU MI.RA/3D
  • Photoneo MotionCam-3D Color
1
Basler blaze Time-of-Flight 3D Camera
4.6/5 (1)
Near-infrared | Working distance 940mm

The Basler blaze Time-of-Flight 3D Camera is a cutting-edge industrial solution offering real-time, precise 3D imaging for a wide range of applications. Leveraging Sony's DepthSense™ sensor technology and onboard depth image processing, it captures comprehensive data, including a 3D point cloud, intensity image, range map, and confidence map, ensuring a thorough understanding of complex environments. With its NIR laser diodes operating in the 940 nm range, it generates 2D and 3D data in one shot, making it highly efficient for industrial automation and logistics.

Standout features of the Basler blaze camera include VGA resolution, delivering high precision and accuracy in 3D imaging. Its Dual Exposure HDR capability enables exceptional imaging performance even in high contrast scenes, while the IP67 rating ensures resilience in demanding industrial environments, offering resistance to dust and water. Moreover, the hardware trigger feature allows for precise triggering with minimal latency, crucial for real-time 3D image acquisition, making it an ideal option for time-sensitive industrial automation processes. These specialized specifications and features make the Basler blaze an attractive choice for industries seeking reliable and versatile 3D imaging solutions.

2
Basler Stereo Camera
No reviews yet.
Color | Monochrome | Working distance 3000mm

The Basler Stereo Camera series is designed to deliver precise and reliable 3D vision for robotics and industrial automation applications. These cameras are available with 65mm and 160mm baselines, offering flexibility for various environments and tasks. The cameras utilize advanced stereo data processing with onboard software, enabling real-time perception and point cloud generation without the need for external computing resources. This makes them particularly suited for tasks like bin picking, navigation, and object recognition in dynamic or static setups.

A key feature of the Basler Stereo Camera is its ability to produce high-quality depth images through triangulation using the Semi-Global Matching (SGM) methodology. This method allows the camera to generate accurate 3D reconstructions and confidence images, which provide a measure of the reliability of each depth measurement. The camera's plug-and-play integration, combined with its onboard processing capabilities, ensures a streamlined setup process, reducing the complexity typically associated with deploying 3D vision systems.

Basler offers the Stereo Camera in both color and monochrome models, catering to specific application needs. The 65mm baseline models are compact and ideal for mounting on robotic arms, making them suitable for applications that require precise depth perception in close-range tasks. In contrast, the 160mm baseline models are designed for longer viewing distances and are better suited for static or mobile installations where color differentiation or operation in challenging lighting conditions is essential.

3
COGNEX In-Sight 3D-L4000
No reviews yet.
Monochrome | Multispectral | Near-infrared | SWIR | Working distance 92-180 mm

The In-Sight 3D-L4000 is a cutting-edge 3D vision system that integrates advanced 3D laser displacement technology with a smart camera, offering engineers a powerful solution for various inspection tasks. One of its standout features is the use of patented speckle-free blue laser optics, a significant industry innovation. This technology allows the system to acquire high-quality 3D images, providing better image formation in real-world settings compared to traditional laser displacement sensors that suffer from speckling issues. Additionally, the In-Sight 3D-L4000 boasts onboard high-performance processing capabilities, eliminating the need for external processing.

What sets the In-Sight 3D-L4000 apart is its robust collection of true 3D vision tools. Unlike many 3D systems that transform 3D images into 2D height maps for basic processing, this system enables users to place vision tools directly on a true 3D image of the part or component they're inspecting. This approach increases the accuracy of inspection results and broadens the range of inspections that can be performed. Furthermore, the system simplifies application development through its intuitive In-Sight spreadsheet interface, reducing the need for programming and enabling the seamless integration of 2D and 3D vision tools in a single job to address a wide variety of applications.

In terms of specifications, the In-Sight 3D-L4000 series is available in different models (IS3D-L4050, IS3D-L4100, IS3D-L4300) with varying measurement ranges and features, offering flexibility to suit specific application needs. Its housing is rated IP65 for environmental resistance, and it operates in a temperature range of 0-45°C (32-113°F). With a gigabit Ethernet interface and a compact design, this system is a versatile and reliable choice for industrial 3D vision applications.

4
COGNEX 3D-A1000 Dimensioning System
No reviews yet.
Monochrome | Near-infrared

The COGNEX 3D-A1000 Dimensioning System is an industrial smart camera designed to capture both 3D and 2D images of moving objects with exceptional accuracy and efficiency. It stands out due to its innovative use of patented 3D symbolic light technology, which allows it to freeze motion with a single image, eliminating the need for complex calibration and encoder integration. This technology results in highly accurate 3D point cloud data, making it ideal for tasks like container fill measurement, damage detection, and feature finding. The system offers fast and reliable results without requiring intricate setup or ongoing maintenance.

One notable feature of the 3D-A1000 is its ability to optimize various aspects of logistics and warehouse operations. It can estimate shipping costs, optimize storage density, track registered goods, sort products efficiently, recover lost revenue, and eliminate manual processes. Its compact and plug-and-play design, along with its factory calibration, makes it easy to integrate into existing systems, while its <5 mm (0.2") dimensional accuracy on cuboidal and irregular objects ensures precision in measurement, even in challenging scenarios. Additionally, the system is unaffected by uneven transitions, speed changes, or curved conveyance, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.

For those seeking expanded dimensioning capabilities, the 3D-A1000 offers a Multi-Head Dimensioning System that can capture more angles and perspectives. This fully configurable solution allows users to quickly and accurately dimension items at smaller gaps and faster belt speeds, providing a comprehensive, multi-perspective view. Its adaptability and ease of setup make it a powerful addition to logistics and industrial processes, offering seamless barcode tunnel integration with DataMan Multi-Reader Sync and superior performance on difficult target surfaces.

5
COGNEX 3D-L4000 with VisionPro
No reviews yet.
Monochrome | Multispectral | Near-infrared | SWIR | Working distance 92-180 mm

The COGNEX 3D-L4000 with VisionPro is a high-speed and high-resolution 3D inspection system that combines laser triangulation with advanced image formation. It excels in capturing highly detailed three-dimensional renderings of parts under inspection, allowing for precise measurements of various surface-level features such as length, width, height, tilt, and volume. With its rugged IP-65 rated design and compact form factor, this system can seamlessly integrate into any production environment. It offers versatility by automating both 2D and 3D vision tasks, featuring full factory calibration for simplified deployment and contrast-independent inspection for enhanced detection capability.

One of its standout features is the incorporation of patented speckle-free blue laser optics, which enables the system to capture higher quality images compared to traditional laser displacement sensors. These optics significantly reduce speckle and glare, common challenges in 3D laser systems, thereby enhancing the accuracy and reliability of inspections. Additionally, the 3D-L4000 with VisionPro offers a wide range of sensor options, the ability to combine 3D and 2D cameras, and intuitive software for rapid deployment of inspection, OCR, and presence/absence applications. Its capabilities also include generating measurements in real-world units, achieving micron-level accuracy, preventing misalignment and motion errors, and simplifying multi-head analysis with 3D image stitching.

The 3D-L4000 with VisionPro is designed to meet various application requirements with different sensor models, offering options like the VP 3D-L4033, VP 3D-L4050, VP 3D-L4100, and VP 3D-L4300, each with specific measurement ranges and laser characteristics. With its robust environmental resistance (IP65 rating), it can operate in challenging conditions and temperatures ranging from 0°C to 45°C. In summary, this advanced 3D inspection system provides manufacturers with the tools to optimize product quality, achieve higher resolution, and maintain consistency across production lines, making it a valuable asset in quality control and manufacturing processes.

6
Basler RGB-D Solution
No reviews yet.
Color | Monochrome

The RGB-D solution merges Basler blaze 3D and color camera data for colored point clouds. It enhances object detection, classification, and scene understanding by combining depth and color information. This combination aids accurate recognition, particularly for similar shapes, and supports tasks like depalletizing and mobile robot navigation. The RGB-D approach offers advanced perception and improved accuracy for industrial automation applications.

Advantages of RGB-D: When does the combined use make sense?

Robust object detection and classification with increased accuracy of correct matches, especially for similarly shaped objects

Example: Can you tell in the left part of the point cloud whether it is an apple or an orange? This is only possible in RGB color. Conversely, a 2D camera would not be able to tell the difference between the photo of an apple and the real apple.

Color information


Color information helps improve scene details where depth information is lacking

Example: During depalletizing, two cartons are so close together on the pallet that they are recognized as one by the 3D camera. In the higher-resolution RGB data, however, a gap can be detected.


Reliable scene segmentation, if necessary enhanced by the use of deep learning (here: integration of prior scene knowledge), for example for the use of mobile robots

Example: Finding the floor in 3D is supported by color: asphalt gray probably belongs to road (floor)

7
Hikrobot Line Laser 3D Camera
No reviews yet.

The Hikrobot Line Laser 3D Camera is engineered to deliver precise real-time point cloud data, crucial for logistics and warehousing operations. Its standout feature is a high-power laser module combined with a wide dynamic range, enabling accurate measurement of various objects, including challenging black packages. This accuracy is further enhanced by an integrated high-precision measurement algorithm, making it ideal for complex environments where consistent and reliable data is critical.

In terms of capabilities, the camera offers high-speed scanning at a rate of up to 600Hz with a 3m/s scanning speed, allowing for dynamic volume measurement of packages with a detection accuracy of 5mm. This capability ensures that the camera can keep up with fast-moving items on a conveyor belt or within automated systems, providing reliable data without slowing down the operation.

The Hikrobot Line Laser 3D Camera is particularly well-suited for logistics and warehousing applications where speed and accuracy are paramount. Its robust design and advanced processing capabilities make it a reliable choice for environments that demand continuous, high-precision measurement and data output in real-time, especially in scenarios involving diverse and rapidly moving inventory.

8
COMAU MI.RA/3D
No reviews yet.
Color | Monochrome | Near-infrared

The COMAU MI.RA/3D technology revolutionizes 3D performance by leveraging 2D cameras, offering a sophisticated solution for high-precision operations. This advanced robot guidance system employs analytic functionality to scan and compare images against a reference database iteratively. Its patented approach allows the system to adapt guidance precision to the specific requirements of each task, enabling the robot to perform complex operations with enhanced accuracy.

Ideal for applications such as pick and place, loading and unloading, and logistics piece selection, the MI.RA/3D system ensures optimal positioning and maximum flexibility. It utilizes an all-in-one pose estimation system to assess the complete aspect of a rigid body, comparing it with pre-prepared reference images. By analyzing image deformation due to roto-translation, the system dynamically redefines the robot's grasp pose, achieving superior precision while reducing costs.

The MI.RA/3D system is hardware and robot agnostic, allowing for versatile configuration tailored to various applications. It supports deployment on different processing units and features an optimized user interface for easy setup and seamless integration. Additionally, the system adapts to changing lighting conditions with IR light support and has a smaller footprint, resulting in significant floor space savings.

9
Photoneo MotionCam-3D Color
No reviews yet.
Working distance 366-3780 mm


Parallel Structured Light™ - the future of industrial machine vision

Photoneo’s unique patented technology provides high quality and high resolution 3D data even for dynamic scenes. While ToF or Active Stereo systems provide real-time stream of data, the accuracy and resolution is limited. Sequential Structured Light systems provide high quality data, but at low FPS and only when the scene is completely static.

Paradigm shift in Machine Vision opens new Frontiers

Ability to provide high-quality area snapshot 3D data in near real-time opens new frontiers for industrial automation. Robots do not need to stop to acquire data (hand eye use case) or can manipulate objects moving at random motion. Never again compromise between the ability to scan dynamic scenes and the resulting resolution and data quality.



Benefits of MotionCam-3D Color:


Scanning in & rapid motion:
one frame acquisition, 40 m/s

High resolution & accuracy: 2 MP, 0.150 mm

Practical scanning range: 3 models: from 36 cm - 3 m

No 3D motion blur: 10 µs per pixel exposure time

Industry ready: IP65, PoE, Thermal calibration


Operating Modes:

Dynamic scenes /0.9 Million 3D points / @ 20 FPS / Accuracy 0.6 mm at Z=1000 mm

Static scenes / 2 Million 3D points / Accuracy 0.3 mm at Z=1000 mm