Axtel has created the next generation of Machine Vision specific development tools. Machine Vision Express™ enables computers to “see” like a human. What used to be a very complex task was greatly simplified and is now affordable for everyone. Applications run on PCs or smart cameras, they may address such tasks as: inspection, counting, gauging, positioning, identification, selection, surveillance and access control.

Machine Vision Express™ offers three development platforms, GUI, Python and C++. Each platform accommodates individual experiences, from simple drag and drop of functions with editor and visual simulator, to Python based scripting, as well as complex C++ programming. The library includes such advanced features as Optical Character Recognition (OCR), Pattern Matching and Barcode Recognition.

Machine Vision Express™ enables computers to "see" like a human.

Machine Vision - FAQ - External trigger input

When do I use an external trigger input?

The simple answer is: the use of a trigger improves overall system performance.

Here is why:
An external sensor may be used to deliver a Trigger Signal every time a product is right in front of the camera. The Trigger signal is then used to initiate image exposure followed by running a Python Script and activation of I/O signals. Given this scenario it may be safely assumed that the position of a product within a sequence of captured frames will be consistent. Based on that knowledge it is possible to hard-code a Region Of Interest (ROI). Time consuming search operations to locate the product within a frame are not necessary and system performance is improved accordingly. The trigger mechanism will however have a negative impact on system costs.

Here is a hint:
When a Trigger is not available, a search algorithm may have to be applied to locate the Product with each frame. For more details on the subject see: Why do MVE_GUI based scripts always contain an Initialization Macro?