Components · Cameras
The camera converts light into data. Resolution, pixel size, shutter type, frame rate and interface must be chosen together so the system sees enough detail — fast enough — and the data actually arrives in time.
Camera chuyển ánh sáng thành dữ liệu. Độ phân giải, kích thước điểm ảnh, kiểu màn trập, tốc độ khung hình và chuẩn giao tiếp phải được chọn đồng bộ.
How it works
An area-scan camera captures a full 2D frame in one exposure — ideal for discrete parts that are stationary or moving at moderate speed. A line-scan camera has one (or a few) very long rows of pixels and builds the image line by line as the part or web moves past, synchronized by an encoder.
Global-shutter sensors expose all pixels at the same moment, so moving parts are not distorted. Rolling-shutter sensors expose row by row; they are cheaper and quieter but skew fast motion unless a strobe freezes the scene.
Monochrome sensors use every pixel for brightness and are more sensitive; color sensors place a color filter over each pixel and interpolate, which reduces effective resolution. Use color only when color itself carries the information.
Types
Open each type for how it works, where it fits, its limitations and the specifications to check.
How it works. Full-frame capture with every pixel measuring brightness. Combined with colored light, it delivers the highest contrast and effective resolution.
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Key specs to check
How it works. A color filter mosaic over the sensor records red, green and blue; the camera or software interpolates full-color images.
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Key specs to check
How it works. The image is built line by line while the object moves; an encoder keeps line spacing constant. Multi-line and TDI (time delay integration) sensors add sensitivity at high speed.
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Key specs to check
How it works. Large sensors that cover a whole part in one image, reducing the number of cameras or moves.
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Key specs to check
How it works. Fast sensors and high-bandwidth interfaces for fast processes or capturing several images per part.
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How it works. SWIR sensors image roughly 900–1700 nm where water absorbs strongly and silicon becomes transparent; NIR-enhanced and UV-sensitive sensors extend standard silicon cameras.
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How it works. On-sensor polarizers in several orientations reveal stress, glare and surface orientation that normal cameras cannot see.
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Key specs to check
Compare
| Interface | Typical bandwidth | Cable length | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| USB3 Vision | ≈ 350 MB/s | ≈ 3–5 m passive (longer with active/optical cables) | Single cameras close to a PC, cost-effective setups |
| GigE Vision | ≈ 115 MB/s | Up to 100 m | Multi-camera systems, long distances, PoE power |
| 2.5 / 5GigE | ≈ 280 / 560 MB/s | Up to 100 m | Higher resolution with standard Ethernet infrastructure |
| 10GigE | ≈ 1,100 MB/s | Up to 100 m (Cat6a) or fiber | High-resolution and high-speed cameras |
| CoaXPress (CXP-12) | ≈ 1,200 MB/s per link, up to 4 links | Tens of meters (depends on speed) | Highest throughput, line-scan, frame grabbers |
Values are practical approximations; real throughput depends on host hardware, settings and cable quality.
Specifications
| Specification | What it means | How to choose |
|---|---|---|
| Resolution | Number of pixels (e.g. 2448 × 2048). | Derive from field of view ÷ smallest feature × pixels per feature. |
| Pixel size | Size of each pixel (e.g. 3.45 µm). | Larger pixels collect more light; smaller pixels need better lenses. |
| Sensor format | Physical sensor size (e.g. 2/3", 1.1"). | Determines lens format and focal length. |
| Shutter | Global or rolling. | Global for moving parts; rolling only with strobe or static scenes. |
| Frame / line rate | Images (or lines) per second. | Must cover your cycle time, with margin for multiple shots. |
| Bit depth | 8, 10 or 12 bits per pixel. | Higher bit depth for subtle contrast; more data to transfer. |
| Dynamic range & noise | Ratio between brightest and darkest usable signal. | Important for scenes with both bright and dark areas. |
| Quantum efficiency | How well the sensor converts light at each wavelength. | Check at the wavelength of your light (e.g. NIR). |
| Interface | USB3, GigE family, CoaXPress… | Check bandwidth, cable length and number of cameras. |
| I/O & triggering | Trigger inputs, strobe outputs, encoder support. | Needed for synchronization with light and motion. |
| Housing & environment | Size, temperature range, IP rating. | Use protective housings or IP67 cameras in harsh areas. |
Engineering tools
Quick estimates based on standard formulas. Always confirm with a test on real parts.
Moving parts blur if the exposure is too long. Calculate the blur in pixels and the maximum exposure for a sharp image.
Check whether your resolution, frame rate and number of cameras fit the interface.
Selection guide
| Requirement | Recommended | Why / note |
|---|---|---|
| Moving parts on a conveyor | Global-shutter area-scan + strobe light | Calculate exposure with the blur calculator. |
| Color verification | Color area-scan with stable white light | Or mono camera with several colored lights. |
| Continuous webs and rolls | Line-scan camera + line light + encoder | Line rate from speed and pixel size. |
| Many cameras, long distances | GigE / 10GigE with PoE | One network port per camera or a managed switch. |
| Very high throughput | CoaXPress or 10GigE | Frame grabber for CoaXPress. |
| Low light, short exposure | Larger pixels, high sensitivity | Or more light with overdrive strobe. |
| Moisture, silicon, through plastic | SWIR camera | Use matching SWIR lens and light. |
| Glare or stress in transparent parts | Polarization camera | Reveals what normal cameras miss. |
Examples
Illustrative setups showing how the components are combined in practice.
Application example
Application example
Application example
FAQ
Choose mono unless color is the information you need. Mono cameras are more sensitive and use every pixel for detail; colored lighting can create contrast between colors.
Global shutter for moving parts. Rolling shutter can work for static scenes or when a short strobe flash freezes motion.
Area-scan for discrete parts; line-scan for continuous materials, very long parts or cylinders that rotate.
Power over Ethernet delivers power and data over one cable for GigE cameras — fewer cables on moving machines.
The sensor and interface must transfer every pixel. Reducing the region of interest (ROI) or bit depth increases frame rate.
Continue exploring
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