Vision inspection system (computer-based microscopy) for Qioptiq Ltd

Introduction

Qioptiq Ltd is a world-leading manufacturer of photonics and vision components. Within the UK, their activities focus on precision lenses and high-tech optics, primarily for the military and avionics sector.

Project overview:

As a diversification, a project was undertaken to utilise Qioptiq UK’s optics and engineering expertise in a life-sciences (microscopy) market. A specialised microscopy unit was designed and built by one of their teams of design engineers - with a custom-designed stepper motor stage performing sample manipulation, and images being captured by a high-resolution industrial-grade digital camera. A prototype software application had been developed by a third party and the prototype unit had been subjected to a series of field trials.

Software development brief

	When the project was presented to WyeTec, the initial brief was to correct a few minor errors on, and add a few features to the prototype application, based on feedback from the field trials. During initial discussions, it soon became apparent that the prototype was not going to be suitable as the basis for a fully fledged and marketable product. A ground-up rewrite, incorporating as much code-reuse from the prototype application as possible, was deemed to be the best way to achieve the desired end result, and would also prove to be the most cost effective route. WyeTec’s familiarity with computer based imaging, coupled with expert knowledge of how to best integrate the user interface requirements, the back-end database, and the control of the stepper motor classes enabled us to deliver an end result that far exceeded the initial customer expectations in a timely and cost-effective manner.
Above: A simple "dashboard" optionally gives users rapid access to the most commonly used features
Above: The full application features a series of "dockable" tool windows that can be displayed/hidden by the user, with layouts being saved to a user’s profile. On-line help is provided using an embedded web-browser.	Included within the application are several specialist features: An initial splash screen / dashboard for rapid access to the most commonly used features Factory settings allow for adjustment of mechanical tolerances, and configuration of the imaging source, which supports monochrome, colour and Bayer-colour digital cameras (Firewire / IEEE1394) Sequenced / time-lapse image acquisition Passive auto-focus Stitching of multiple images for scenarios where the subject is larger than the field of view Statistical reporting of Region of Interest (ROI) image data
Sample microscopy images demonstrating the dedicated microscopy application
Fine particles of volcanic ash from the 2010 eruption of Eyjafjököll in Iceland that caused an extended period of air travel chaos.	Crystal growth (magnified) captured on the microscopy unit using a colour, industrial-grade CCD camera.

Summary of project

The application was written in Microsoft Visual Studio .Net, with a Microsoft SQL Server back-end database. Image capture, processing and display were facilitated using a combination of the Matrox Imaging Library and proprietary code. The application was targeted on a Windows Embedded operating system, making the device a resilient dedicated microscopy unit.

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