Although consumer webcams are frequently utilized in machine vision applications due to their user-friendly nature, users understand that these affordable devices possess notable drawbacks in terms of quality, durability, and long-term availability when compared to traditional industrial cameras. With the uEye XC, IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH addresses exactly this market segment and has developed a camera that combines the advantages of both worlds. 

uEye XC industrial camera as a webcam

Why is this camera comparable to a typical consumer webcam?

With the uEye XC, we have developed an industrial camera that possesses the typical features and benefits of a webcam while avoiding its drawbacks. In comparison to standard industrial cameras, we have streamlined the camera to focus on essential functionalities that contribute to the popularity of webcams.

The utilization of USB3 enables quick and convenient usage with a single cable. USB3 is widely available as a cost-effective standard interface, delivering both power and optimal performance to facilitate live transmission of high-resolution images.

USB3

The camera's abundance of in-camera auto-features—such as focus, gain, shutter speed, white balance, gamma, and color—guarantees flawless imaging without the need for coding.

This true plug'n'play functionality ensures that once connected, the camera functions like conventional webcams, surpassing them in no way.

Plug & Play - ready-to-use!

What are the advantages of the uEye XC camera over consumer webcams in the consumer market?  

In contrast to consumer webcams, the uEye XC camera is specifically designed with industrial components to meet industrial requirements. This ensures a prolonged product lifespan by ensuring the availability of this camera model remains unchanged for many years. 

Additionally, the lightweight yet durable die-cast metal housing guarantees high-quality performance and robustness even in harsh environmental conditions. With dimensions of only 32 x 61 x 19 mm (W x H x D), it is compact, sturdy, and ideal for industrial use.   

Moreover, the screwable USB connector prevents disruptions, especially in applications involving camera movements, as expected in an industrial camera. The uEye XC also offers a programmable software interface, typical for industrial cameras, enabling complete control and seamless integration into your own software applications. Users can choose between models with UVC and USB3 Vision protocol, allowing them to either use it as a typical webcam or program it specifically for their application using the powerful software development kit IDS peak. 

Up close with uEye XC  

The integration of the 13 MP autofocus camera and efficient macro lens empowers you to inspect objects with high precision. You can effortlessly visualize minute details up close, merely a few centimeters away, even like this example  from 1.5 cm on a section of a 50 Euro note that is only a few millimetres in size. This makes the camera ideal for tasks in quality assurance or in the life science sector. 

Macro image by uEye XC

So much to discover with uEye XC!  

Here, the example shows the inside of a window (4 cm away from the camera), the outside of a window (8 cm), a cup placed on a facade projection (20 cm) and the surroundings (infinity). If necessary, the focus can also be controlled by software. 

What applications is the uEye XC suitable for? 

With its advanced features, this camera excels in applications where consumer webcams were previously utilized to achieve cost-effective and effortless production of impeccable images, while still necessitating industrial-grade quality.  

The uEye XC shines with its full HD and 4K image formats, alongside numerous automatic image enhancements, ensuring optimal image data for human eye interpretation rather than machine vision and analysis. Its lightweight and compact design allow for seamless usability in any setting. Furthermore, the quickly exchangeable macro lens enables easy adjustment of the camera's minimum object distance, making it highly suitable for close-up applications, such as those in medical technology. 

The uEye XC can show its strengths in the following application examples:

Robotics

Easily connect the uEye XC camera, let it autofocus, and achieve perfectly sharp images or videos—particularly useful when dealing with frequently changing object distances. The camera is suitable for use in robot arms due to its low weight, single-cable operation, and autofocus capabilities.  

Kiosk systems    

Equipped with a wide viewing angle, auto focus, and 4K resolution, the uEye XC is perfectly suitable for integration into smart retail and kiosk systems. Whether it be ATMs, ticket machines, passport photo booths, or postcard machines, the uEye XC facilitates personalized service in photo-assisted terminals. Moreover, when combined with passport readers at airports, the uEye XC serves as an ideal component for property protection. 

Logistics automation    

The uEye XC is instrumental in capturing objects on conveyor belts, barcodes on parcels, or labels on luggage. The cost-effective autofocus camera offers a solution for monitoring, analyzing, and optimizing operations from start to finish. It finds application in logistics and intralogistics settings, including autonomously moving transport carts that require autofocus for varying working distances. 

Quality Control in Industrial Production   

The uEye XC excels in maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety. It proves its worth in process and quality assurance, ensuring consistent, standardized quality of goods. By doing so, it enhances the entire production process and boosts productivity.     

Medical technology  

In dermatology, the compact autofocus camera of the uEye XC can precisely detect the tiniest skin lesions using the macro lens. Whether conducting online consultations or diagnoses, the uEye XC ensures high-quality images and offers flexibility in handling.  

Outdoor applications 

Thanks to its auto brightness and autofocus functions, the uEye XC can be employed for outdoor applications like people counting, where maintaining image quality in varying lighting conditions is essential. 

The uEye XC has been around before. What is different about the new version? 

Compared to the previous version, the new UEye XC is now compliant with vision standards on the software side, making it fully compatible with IDS Peak. With the separation of the autofocus/sensor module and the now separate ISP, we are now able to build the camera entirely using industry-standard components. The previous version utilized a system-on-a-chip from the consumer sector, which unfortunately had limited availability and provided us with limited development options. With the new hardware concept, we can assure our customers of long-term availability and thereby extend the product's lifecycle. 

Additionally, this allows us greater flexibility in choosing components, enabling us to offer various models with different sensors and resolutions. Moreover, the programmable ISP will enable us to equip the camera with additional on-camera functions in future updates, such as a JPEG encoder, face recognition, or automatic pan & zoom people tracking.  

Another clear advantage is that the new uEye XC can now transmit the high-resolution 13MP image live at 25 frames per second, a capability previously achievable only at a reduced rate. Apart from that, the new camera embodies the proven advantages of its predecessor while surpassing it in no way. This new model represents a significantly improved version of our highly popular UEye XC. 

Product specification: uEye XC industrial camera