What is the attraction of anaglyphs?

In a previous RnD contract, I had to come-up with a 3D vision system for operators to be able to operate a large bridge crane from a remote location.

You can see the cabin on the right side where the operator usually sits. We would install a home made 3D camera system in the cabin and double all the control inputs in the PLC to allow for remote control operation. Just to give you an idea, there were 4 joysticks and 25 dry contacts to transfer.

About the 3D part. We went for a passive 3D TV and 1080P images. The shutter glass TV did not produce an acceptable result for an industrial environment and there is less left-right eye cross-talk in passive 3D screens. The other advantage is that you can get a cheap supply of 3D glasses from local 3D movie theaters.

Lenses: Kowa 5mm focal C mount

Cameras: ImperX C1920, SDI interface, equivalent 10 years back

Stands: Edmund Optics: Goniometers and Rotary Stages

Image 3D multiplexer: Matrox MC-100

H264 video encoder/decoder: Haivision Makito

We used an industrial WiFi system to braodcast the signal. It worked well. We had a 0.2 seconds delay, which is acceptable.

The system worked great. They still have it installed. The goal of this system was to remove the operator from the cabin. Up there, you're breathing nano dusts of fluorinated salts, you're subjected to high magnetic fields in the order of 250 Gauss and if there's a problem and you're machine stops over a pot that's melting or arcing, well, you might be well done before they find a way to get ou out of there!

Got to go. Have a good one.

Ron