EXAVISION R&D policy is based on 3 principles :
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The manufacture on a medium scale of standard products such as COLIBRI, SUBCAM, RADIAX, robotsOMNICAM, VECTOR or softwares like WINSCOPE, VIDAC, ORPHEE.
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Design and manufacture of made-to-measure systems, catering for customers' specific demands, in various sectors like the OFFSHORE, AERONAUTICS, MILITARY or NUCLEAR fields.
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Research and qualification of new processes in electronic imagery in order to validate concepts whose technology will be used in EXAVISION leading products during the 3rd millennium (see section WHAT'S NEXT).
From its foundation EXAVISION has been fitted with production and development tools in order to produce viewing systems displaying highly innovating technology.
For that purpose R&D engineers are equipped with electronic circuit boards, CAD and several software development stations for 8-16-32 bites microprocessor based boards under WINDOWS and OS environments as well as VME (industrial standard).
Design and conception is performed in 3D thanks to "design packages tools" such as AUTOCAD 14, ORCAD, MATHCAD softwares.
Conception and development stages are linked to a CIM program under WINDOWS NT server.
The whole procedures and documents related to any project from conception to after sales support, are controlled by different CIM peripherals and ISO 9001 procedures.
EXAVISON comes furthermore equipped with accurate test and measurements facilities allowing to qualify its principles and prototypes.
To perform functional and environmental tests, we have a consistent equipment : optical benches and calibrating charts. Lots of electro optical electronic devices and sensors allowing the analysis of miscellaneous electronic spectrum (i.e. video test cards, image dissectors, vectorscopes...).
All of them commit to the optimisation of the concepts and processes taking part to the realisation of our products.
Eventually the budget allocated to R&D represents more than 10% of EXAVISION annual turnover.
Besides the range of standard which are EXAVISION's own innovations, you will find below 6 examples of systems resulting of specific client's request. Initially custom designed, they belong to our standard product offerings.
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FRAMATOME needed an evaluation system for underwater structures in nuclear ponds. The final purpose was to have a handy and easy-to-use tool to check nuclear boiler tanks and inspect any underwater structure.
The result of our study has been the ROV PITER, an underwater remotely operated vehicle carrying PANOMRAMIC CCTV camera.
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EDF (the French Electricity Board) issued an international invitation to tender for the conception and manufacture of a monitoring and expertise equipment for covers and jointing plans of nuclear vessels that could be used in the whole range of 900 PWR, 1 400 and 1 450 MW reactors.
EXAVISION won the contract thanks to a very modular robot able to fit any configuration. ROBOTCORE is a miniaturised and wireless controlled TV camera robot performing defect measurement and digital processing.
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A subsidiary of VIVENDI, highly specialised in underground energy conveying ducts, issued a tender about an expert analysing and monitoring system for long range pipes with accurate 3D measurements and localisation facilities.
After a 18 month study, we delivered the first RADIAX/VECTOR/ORPHEE system. Since then, several contractors in the pipe industries (sewer, drinkable water, safety ducts) have been equipped with it. Two years later, this 3D pipe inspection system has not yet found an equivalent on the market.
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The National Test Laboratory (LNE) wanted an optical system to gauge and line up riffled barrels.
Thanks to our ability in miniaturisation and video quality we delivered a MI POUCE system derived from the PICAM and COLIBRI TVcamera which entirely matched the needs of military applications : defects of 0,01 mm were to be analysed and corrected thanks to our technology.
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The robotics department of the CEA (French Atomic Commission) looked for guidance systems for their mobile robots intervening in nuclear environments.
EXAVISION realised PERICAM, a miniature radiation tolerant motorised video system. Associated with the remotely controlled vehicle/crawler CENTAURE, it operated inside Chernobyl reactor's furnace !
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A shipbuilding yard needed to equip racing boats with reliable television and video equipment material, lightweight and resisting to harsh weather conditions.
EXAVISION supplied them with several miniature COLIBRI video cameras coupled with OMNICAM pan and tilt turrets, both of them especially adapted to the constraints of sea environment. Our video systems sailed around the world on various boats during the "Vend des Globes" Challenge or on yachts and prestige ketches. Many sea pictures shown on TV channels or on programs dedicated to the sea are produced by EXAVISION TV cameras.
