Jan Hartmann

The South German industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH was able to exceed industry expectations in the first half of 2021. Instead of the 7% increase in the turnover forecast by the VDMA for the machine vision industry, the company has so far generated more than double this growth. The camera manufacturer from Obersulm expects consistently high growth until the end of 2021. The positive order situation and the strong development of foreign business give the camera manufacturer every reason to do so, despite the challenging procurement situation. High-Volume applications Compared to the same period in the previous year, the increase in turnover was particularly strong in North America. The company bases its growth forecast for the VISION year 2021 primarily on the new IDS NXT cameras with artificial intelligence, as well as on the high demand in the 3D segment. New products, such as the cost-effective, industrial-grade Ensenso S, will explicitly complement the IDS product range in these areas. IDS is also expanding the uEye portfolio with new sensors and a new small C-mount housing camera IDS is also expanding the uEye portfolio with new sensors and a new small C-mount housing camera – especially in the low-cost range for, particularly price-sensitive and high-volume applications. On the software side, the new SDK IDS peak with many modern programming interfaces and new convenience functions promises real added value for both uEye and uEye+ users. "We are developing innovative products and platforms in order to continually set new impulses for our customers and partners with new powerful solutions," explains Managing Director Jan Hartmann. Embedded vision solutions By establishing its own development unit in Serbia last year, the industrial camera manufacturer has already paved the way for even more active AI research and development. “Cameras and artificial intelligence, a combination that allows IDS to reinvent itself and contribute to shaping the future." In the area of tension between increasing demand, high standards of efficiency and sustainability as well as security of supply, embedded vision solutions with AI – such as IDS NXT – are becoming more and more important. With the online platform visionbay, IDS has now also opened a virtual marketplace for image processing with AI. There, users can access the know-how of experts in the field of artificial intelligence, get access to complete image processing solutions, and thus save valuable development time.

Energy and resource efficiency are the focus of the industrial camera manufacturer IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH. As a globally active technology company, sustainability is an essential part of the corporate strategy. "Technological progress and responsible entrepreneurship go hand in hand for us," explains Jan Hartmann, Managing Director of the Obersulm-based camera manufacturer. "Our sustainable, ethical business practices actively protect the environment" is one of his guiding principles. Pronounced family awareness With a responsible and holistic sustainability strategy, IDS aims to create long-term value while harmonizing ecological, social and economic aspects. Sustainability is practiced in all areas of the company. In the core business, this is reflected, for example, in the development and production of climate-neutral camera families or ‘green’ logistics. IDS is also committed to environmentally friendly mobility with bike leasing offers However, the Obersulm-based company goes further. For example, fair dealings with business partners, a pronounced family awareness and a good work-life balance are firmly anchored in the guidelines. IDS is also committed to environmentally friendly mobility with bike leasing offers and a job ticket for employees. Conserving raw materials The company restaurant at the Obersulm site is supplied by regional producers and thus contributes to reducing CO2 emissions due to shorter transport routes. At the same time, the paperless office makes it easier to work from home and saves resources. The further reduction of the company's own CO2 emissions is at the top of the corporate agenda. "We are working every day to further reduce our ecological footprint," underlines Jan Hartmann. The goal of making the entire company climate-neutral before the end of this year has almost been achieved. IDS cameras are already helping to conserve raw materials and optimize processes in almost every country in the world. The company makes all facets of ‘Sustainability at IDS’ transparent on its just published website. It is intended to show where IDS makes the difference through small and larger changes.

Combating the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic is at the top of the global agenda and providing vaccine to populations around the globe means providing around 8 billion doses - with only one for every person in the world. In addition to the availability of the vaccine, a decisive factor in the race against time is the disposability of the glass vials. Medical-grade vaccine vials The glass must be resistant to a wide range of chemicals and temperature changes To ensure that the mass vaccination against the coronavirus does not fail because of the container, the producers of the vials are massively ramping up their production so as not to become the proverbial bottleneck in the supply chain. However, medical-grade vaccine vials are not standard glass tubes. Whether rolled-rim bottles, threaded bottles or ampoules, they are all made of the special glass borosilicate and require customized production lines. The glass must be resistant to a wide range of chemicals and temperature changes and must not contaminate medicines, for example. Industrial cameras Any interaction between the container and the liquid inside must be prevented, as any chemical interference could affect the vaccine. Even the smallest scratch, crack or fissure can render an entire batch unusable, contaminate the line during the filling process or even lead to a machine standstill. The demands on manufacturers are enormous. It is not only a matter of producing large quantities quickly, but also of maintaining particularly high quality standards. Industrial cameras from IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH in Germany are currently becoming key components in demand. In an intelligent multi-camera system for the quality control of vaccine bottles from Isotronic GmbH, they take care of the image acquisition. High-speed processing When increasing production capacities, efficient solutions that can be integrated quickly are in demand. The ‘VialChecker’ developed by Isotronic GmbH meets this growing demand exactly. “Our system enables high-speed processing and is usually used at several points in the production line,” explains Gregor Fabritius, Managing Director at Isotronic GmbH. The system works with up to eight cameras per unit, the camera models vary depending on the requirements of the respective control task. For example, they observe the laterally rotating tube glass or the glass bottom and provide high-resolution images. Intelligent software Intelligent software enables accurate fault description analysis and classification “The IDS cameras capture at least 20 images per rotation, allowing up to 120 vials per minute to be inspected for dimensional accuracy or surface condition with very high precision,” emphasizes Valentin Mayer-Eichberger, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Isotronic. Accuracy is up to 0.01 millimeters for dimensional testing. Defects such as cracks, scratches, chips, inclusions or stains, on the other hand, are detected with an accuracy of 0.1 square millimeters thanks to the powerful cameras. Intelligent software enables accurate fault description analysis and classification. High-performance testing systems Experts estimate that global demand for vaccine vials will further increase by one to two billion over the next two years. To ensure that this valuable liquid is protected accordingly, automatic, high-performance testing systems are more in demand than ever to guarantee the immense demand for quality. “We think that we are meeting a growing demand here with our cameras and are pleased to be able to make a corresponding contribution to combating the pandemic,” explains Jan Hartmann, Managing Director at IDS Imaging Development Systems.

‘Knowledge increases when it is shared’ – following this maxim, IDS is making its expertise as one of the manufacturers of digital industrial cameras free of charge and directly accessible on a new platform. In addition to online events, useful tools such as calendars and live chats, the IDS Vision Channel also offers a media library with recordings of past events and additional, exclusive content. The online sessions address image processing topics around 2D, 3D and embedded vision as well as artificial intelligence. Wide range of disciplines They are short, focused and build on each other depending on the topic. This makes them interesting for both beginners and experts. Afterwards, questions can be discussed in the group or with the speakers. This makes the IDS Vision Channel ideal for knowledge exchange and knowledge building. The speakers are from a wide range of disciplines at IDS, from product management to development to management. Each event will be offered at least twice so that people from every time zone can participate live In addition there will be guests – such as the IDS Solution Partners or start-ups – depending on the subject. The experts are available to answer questions during and after the online sessions. Each event will be offered at least twice so that people from every time zone can participate live. The channel language is English. An overview of all upcoming dates can be found in the IDS Vision Channel calendar, which allows the various events to be easily filtered, booked and managed. Machine vision community "We bring our specialists to you – conveniently on the screen. Participants can choose suitable events from a wide range of topics and receive tips and tricks for their own applications," summarizes IDS Managing Director Jan Hartmann. As travel restrictions continue due to the pandemic, the IDS Vision Channel is intended to serve as a digital meeting place and to foster exchange within the international machine vision community. The launch event will take place on 28th of January. Interested parties are cordially invited to take a look at the opportunities and challenges of machine vision with the experts at IDS and to learn more about the future-oriented developments of the company.

IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH expands their headquarters in Obersulm-Willsbach – after a construction period of about one and a half years, the technology center b39 could be moved into. "Despite COVID 19, the work went almost without a hitch," says managing director Jan Hartmann. "We are very pleased that with the new building we can provide our employees with an ultra-modern and at the same time very attractive place to work.” With more than 4,500 square meters of total space, there are a total of 52 offices and six conference rooms of completely different design, as well as an event room with space for up to 200 people. Product-Specific topics On the top floor, a loft-like open space area with individually designed meeting corners offers plenty of inspiration for creative work. Height-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, shower rooms with towel service and a company restaurant supplied by regional producers with meals subsidized by the employer are further benefits for the employees. Also new is the multi-storey car park behind the building, which has 262 parking spaces and charging stations for electric cars. The spacious premises will be used by IDS itself to train employees in product-specific topics A central aspect of the striking new building is also its use as a platform for further education. Although, due to the current situation, hardly any face-to-face events are possible at present, this will of course change in the future. On the one hand, the spacious premises will be used by IDS itself to train employees in product-specific topics. Image processing technology On the other hand, the b39 Academy, a new branch of IDS, is located there. The aim is to jointly promote the development of digital specialist, methodological and technical skills, for example through event cooperation and knowledge transfer on topics such as image processing technology and artificial intelligence. Contacts with early-stage start-ups are also a focus. The innovative new building is intended to be a forum for all those who bring fresh ideas with them. "Technological progress, socio-cultural change and new work can best be shaped with specialist knowledge, methodological competence and soft skills," emphasizes academy director Miriam Brenner. Since 1997, the company has been developing and producing high-quality products for industrial image processing at its Obersulm site. Limitless spectrum of applications IDS once made the USB interface for the camera sector suitable for industrial use Driven by a pioneering spirit and the will to create something really new, founder and owner Jürgen Hartmann has managed to become one of the largest manufacturers of industrial cameras with IDS. With technological foresight and a keen sense of future developments, IDS once made the USB interface for the camera sector suitable for industrial use. A total of three different product lines enable a limitless spectrum of applications in the fields of equipment, plant and mechanical engineering as well as in non-industrial areas such as medical technology, agriculture or logistics. Focusing on technology trends In addition to powerful USB, GigE and 3D cameras, the latest innovation is the visionary product platform IDS NXT with artificial intelligence – a new generation of vision systems for industrial applications. In future, the company, which has around 300 employees, will thus offer not only cameras but also easy-to-use and flexible complete systems for image processing. In addition to artificial intelligence, IDS is currently focusing on the technology trends of machine vision and robotic applications, which are generating growing demand in the 3D segment for camera manufacturers.

Since July 2020, IDS Imaging Development Systems GmbH has been represented in Serbia with its subsidiary. Based in Novi Sad, Serbia's second largest city and considered the country's technological center, the pure development unit is closely linked to the Faculty of Technical Sciences of the local university. The manufacturer of digital industrial cameras is thus intensifying its cooperation with science and research – especially in the field of artificial intelligence. Strong focus on development "We are a company with a strong focus on development and are constantly coming up with new products and new technologies. In order to gain access to these new technologies, contact with science is particularly important. This is where we get the knowledge for our innovative products," Jürgen Hartmann, founder and owner of IDS, explains the step. The topic of artificial intelligence will change our market in the long term" The company's investment in the branch demonstrates the strategic importance of IDS in addressing the topic of artificial intelligence. "The topic of artificial intelligence will change our market in the long term," says IDS Managing Director Jan Hartmann. Foreign development site Together with Alexander Lewinsky, he is also the Managing Director of the new IDS Imaging Development Systems Serbia d.o.o. Professor Rastislav Struharik is responsible for the management on site. His team consists of specialists from the corresponding faculty of the University of Novi Sad. This is the first foreign development site for IDS. It paves the way for even more active AI research and development. After all, “Cameras and artificial intelligence are a combination that allows IDS to reinvent itself and contribute to shaping the future," continues Jan Hartmann. In addition to the new subsidiary in Serbia, IDS already has its own branches in the USA, Japan, South Korea and Great Britain, as well as two sales offices in France and the Netherlands.