PULNiX | Imaging Camera Setup Procedure

Imaging

Products

Data Sheets
(PDF Format)

Spectral
Response
Curves

Frame Grabber
Compatibility

Applications

Technical Info

Warranty Information

Resources

Sales/Support

Tradeshows

PULNiX is dedicated to excellence in servicing customer needs. It is our ongoing goal to provide the highest quality products, and we would like to thank you for choosing a PULNiX camera for your application! If you have any questions regarding the products you have received, we invite you to use our toll free number 800-445-5444 to contact our sales representatives or video applications engineers.

Getting Started

Please begin by checking your order to assure that you have received everything as ordered, and that nothing has been overlooked in the packing materials. It is a good idea to retain the original packing cartons for cameras and lenses should there be a need at a later date to return or exchange an item. It also is recommended that any equipment being sent to another location for field installation be bench tested to assure that everything is fully operational as a system. The following steps outline the setup procedure for PULNiX cameras.

Power Supply and Power Cable Setup

Most PULNiX cameras use a 12-pin connector for power input. Consult the data sheet packed with your camera. Generally Pin #1 is Ground and Pin #2 is +12V DC. The other pins may handle a number of other input and output functions; this will be discussed in subsequent sections. For users simply providing power through the 12-pin connector, the PD-12P power supplies are available with the 12-pin mating connector already attached to the leads from the power supply. For those using the PULNiX power cables such as the 12P-02, KC-10, etc., see the pin-out diagram on page number 4. The color coded leads use Grey for Ground, and Yellow for +12V DC. For those using the "K" series power supplies, attach the 110V line cord to the two terminals marked "AC" (do not plug into 110V AC socket until later in the procedure). Next attach the Grey and Yellow leads of the power cable to the Ground and +12V DC terminals respectively. Be sure to replace the plastic terminal guard on the power supply at this time. Note: The "K" series power supplies are designed primarily for OEM users who will be mounting the power supply inside a protective enclosure. For use in exposed situations, the DC-12N and PD-12 are recommended. The DC-12N and PD-12 power supplies can be connected to the PULNiX power cable via a terminal strip or directly. Direct wiring should be accomplished by twisting the lead ends and tin soldering the connection for strength and electrical continuity. Use shrink tubing or a similar insulator to prevent exposed leads from touching. The +12V lead is marked with a red stripe or white lettering; be sure not to reverse the leads. Properly insulate all connections to prevent shorting. For those building their own power cables, consult the pin-out for the camera purchased and connect the Ground and +12V Power leads to pin #1 and #2 respectively of the PC-12P power connector. Power must be DC regulated, and of sufficient current to properly power the camera(s).

Important: For those using the multi-conductor power cables such as 12P-02, KC-10, etc., be certain that unused leads are not touching and that there is no possibility that leads can short because of exposed wire(s). The power connector may now be attached to the camera. The 12-pin power connector is keyed and will only fit in one orientation. Rotate the connector while applying slight pressure until the keyways line up. The 110V AC line cord may now be placed in the mains receptacle, and the camera is now powered up.

Attaching the Video Output

Most users utilize the BNC connector for video output from the camera. Connect the output from the camera to the input of your monitor, VCR, or switching device. The input of the monitor should be balanced for 75½ termination. Standard RG-59 type coaxial cable should carry a full video signal for up to 500 feet. The mini coaxial leads in PULNiX multi-conductor cables are designed for short runs of not longer than 100 feet. Users wishing to output the video and input the power and sync to a camera over a single cable can use the PULNiX multi-conductor cables such as 12P-02, KC-10, etc. See the pin-out and color code information page 4. Be certain that no extraneous wires are visible which could cause a short.

Setup for RGB Cameras

PULNiX color cameras with separate RGB output use the 12-pin connector on the rear of the camera to output these signals. Users providing their own interface modules should use a PULNiX multi-conductor cable such as the 12P-02, 12P-05, etc. This will provide separate leads for the R, G, B, and sync signals as well as power input. PULNiX offers a module and interconnect cable called the CCA-5 (including 12P-02MF cable) to provide a convenient signal separator with standard BNC outputs for each signal (see Figure 2). The CCA-5 is connected to the color camera with the 12P-02MF 2-meter interface cable. The CCA-5 module has an individual output for R, G, B, sync and composite video. Power is applied to the camera through the CCA-5; a screw terminal is provided for this. The separate R, G, B and sync outputs may now be connected to the corresponding inputs on an RGB monitor using standard coaxial cables with BNC connectors. Use model CCA-7 with TMC-7/6 cameras only.

Color Balance Adjustment

Automatic white balance is a standard feature in PULNiX color cameras and the white balance is memorized for as long as the camera is continually powered. When a new white balance is required, press the reset button with a piece of white paper in front of the cameraÕs field of view. This will set the color reference level for optimum color reproduction for a given lighting condition. Some applications may require manual white balance in areas where the light will not change over time such as an on-line inspection application. In this case, the color camera can be set to manual white balance by selecting the auto white balance (AWB) switch to "OFF" and adjust the "HUE" potentiometer to achieve a color white balance.

Lenses

Any PULNiX camera not having a permanently attached lens will accept a standard C-mount CCTV lens. Some earlier model cameras such as the TM-34K and TM-540 come with a mini-bayonet mount.

C-Mount Lenses

C-mount lenses are attached to the camera by carefully engaging the threads and rotating the lens clockwise until it firmly seats on the mounting ring. Do not force the lens if it does not seat properly. Some lenses with extremely long flangebacks may exceed the mounting depth of the camera.

Back-Focusing Lenses

To back focus a PULNiX C-mount camera, first attach a C-mount lens in the mount. Be certain that the lens is properly seated. Next set the lens focus to infinity (and if the lens is a manual iris, set the iris to a high f number while still retaining a well illuminated image). Then loosen the two miniature hex head set screws (use a 0.9mm hex wrench) locking the focus ring in place. Now turn the entire lens and focus ring assembly back and forth until the best image of a distant object is obtained. This will set your back focus. Once the best image is obtained, tighten the focus ring set screws. Note: Mini-bayonet cameras adapted to C-mount do not have the back focus feature.

Auto-Iris Lens Setup

Power down the camera before attaching the auto iris lens. Mount the auto iris lens following the instructions in 4.1 or 4.2 above. Plug the connector provided on the lens into the connector on the rear of the camera marked AUTO IRIS or simply LENS. You may now power up the camera. Point camera at a light area and then quickly towards a darker area. If everything is working properly, the iris should adjust for the light change. Note: There is a small chance that damage could occur to the auto iris lens by plugging or unplugging the lens into the LENS connector on the camera while the camera is still powered up. It is a good idea to always remove power from the camera before connecting or disconnecting the lens.

Shutter Control

The SC-745 Shutter Controller is used to externally vary the shutter speed for the TM-745E/765E, TM-7CN/6CN, TM-7EX/6EX, TMC-74/76, and TMC-514/516. The SC-7 Shutter Controller is used to externally vary the shutter speed for the TMC-7/6. These controllers plug into the 6-pin connector on the rear of the cameras normally used for auto iris lenses. Switching the Controller will obtain the desired shutter speed. See the key to controller speeds on the associated data sheet for the camera being shuttered. The SC-745 and SC-7 must remain attached to the camera to use the shutter feature of the camera unless the camera is specially modified internally to shutter. If at a single speed it is desired to use an auto iris lens and SC-745 or SC-7 at the same time, a special 6-pin connector must be made up which breaks out the SC-745 or SC-7 and lens connections as separate outputs.

External Sync

All PULNiX cameras have an internal sync circuit so that they will "free run" without the need for an external sync source. Cameras can be directly connected to a monitor, VCR, or switching device. It may be desirable to synchronize the camera with other devices to complete a closed system. This would include multiple camera setups with uniform sync, adding two or more pictures on to a single screen, and synchronizing with a frame grabber or similar machine vision equipment. For applications such as these, external sync is required. Consult the data sheet for the specific camera being synchronized since both the type of external sync and the connector pin-out may vary. A multi-conductor cable such as the 12P-02 or KC-10 will be required.

Asynchronous Reset

Many of PULNiX cameras have the ability to accept an external signal to reset the internal vertical drive timing. The signal input is labeled VINIT and is accessible on the 12-pin connector on the rear of the camera. The VINIT input accepts a TTL negative going pulse to reset. Please refer to the specific camera for details on this function.

Cables

The majority of PULNiX cameras have a 12-pin Hirose connector on the rear of the camera. The 12-pin provides connection for power (+12V DC), video and various other signals. Refer to the data sheet for the specific camera signals available. Certain applications may need to access specific signals from a camera. The standard 12P-02 cable is primarily used to access the 12-pin connector on the rear of the camera. The cable is two meters long, has 12 conductors (4 straight leads and 4 coax leads) with a 12-pin female connector on one end and flying leads on the opposite end. Other cable lengths are available. The diagram in figure 6 gives the color code information for the 12P-02 cable.

TOP