Vision System Camera Filters

Machine Vision Camera FiltersVision System Camera Filters increase the contrast of the object or subject under inspection. This greatly improves the systems’ ability to distinguish desired characteristics. Increased contrast allows for increased accuracy and speed. These filters are far more rugged, thinner, less angle-sensitive, with much higher transmission and far lower in cost compared to conventional interference filters. By removing the ambient light seen by the camera ccd they eliminate the need for a costly light shroud. Vision System Camera filters create the contrast you need and provide maximum control over the lighting in any vision application.

Filters

  • BP470 | Blue Bandpass | Blue LEDs/UV Fluorescence

    BP470
    BP470 filters are recommended for use in most blue LED (~470nm) and many UV-excited blue fluorescence (430-500nm) imaging applications. Important for both applications is the breadth of the bandwidth. In the case of blue LEDs, frequent variations in center wavelengths and angles of incidence can easily be accommodated. BP470 ABSORBS lower wavelengths (e.g., UV) and REFLECTS longer wavelengths (e.g., 500-1150nm). This material does not auto-fluoresce.The BP470 color wheel For typically weak blue fluorescence applications, it is important to be able to detect as much of the blue emission as possible while effectively blocking all of the UV light. Since more than 90% of all industrial UV fluorescence applications involve imaging a blue-colored “glow,” it can be summarized that most applications involving a UV light REQUIRE the use of a BP470 filter. Without this filter, it is virtually impossible to successfully image the desired feature.We recommend our BP470 blue bandpass filter over all other blue filters because of its broad peak (T>90%), high transmission, far superior blocking of shorter UV and longer IR wavelengths, and far steeper cut-on and cut-off slopes. All of this results in far brighter, higher contrast images when using the BP470 compared to other filters currently available.

    These single substrate, hard-coated filters are about 2mm thick and can withstand very high temperatures. The coatings are just as or MORE durable than the glass. Therefore the limiting factor is the transformation temperature and thermal gradient/shock values for the glass.

  • BP505 | Cyan Bandpass | For 505nm LED Lighting

    BP470
    Our BP505 filter was designed for use with 500-510nm cyan LED lighting. It also has a function in UV fluorescence imaging of some commonly used stains.The BP505 color wheel The BP505 single substrate, hard-coated filter is designed to match the output of most cyan LEDs, widely considered to currently be the brightest “monochrome” LEDs available. Coupled with the spectral sensitivity of most CCD/CMOS sensors in use today that also peak in this range, this filter will result in images that are especially bright and very high in contrast.The BP505 filter is particularly designed for use in line-scan/wide angle applications where they are extremely resistant to the effects of “blue shifting.” Used together with the right lensing, a line of uniform end-to-end brightness can be imaged at wide angles.

  • BP525 | Light Green Bandpass | Green LEDs/Fluorescence

    BP525
    BP525 filters have been designed for use in almost all green LED or laser diode applications. These single substrate, hard-coated filters also have wide application in UV fluroescence imaging of various commonly used stains and plastic materials that fluoresce in the green portion of the spectrum.The BP525 color wheel we strongly recommends our BP525 over all other widely offered green bandpass filters because of its broad passband, far higher peak transmission, far superior blocking of UV and IR wavelengths, and reduced sensitivity to angle of incidence changes. Compared to any other “green” filters offered for industrial imaging, the BP525 will nearly always result in significantly brighter and higher contrast images.

  • BP590 | Orange Bandpass | Amber/Orange LEDs/UV Fluorescence

    BP590
    BP590 single substrate, hard-coated filters are recommended for use in systems that use amber or orange LED lighting. They are also very widely used in fluorescence imaging applications, particularly with certain inks and ethidium bromide, Qdot 605 and other similar stains.The BP590 color wheel As with all our bandpass filters, peak transmission is greater than 90%. Blocking of shorter AND longer wavelengths averages >99% when used in conjunction with any sensor that has a typical silicon response. This is particularly important in situations where infrared light may be present. Orange longpass filters have traditionally been recommended for these applications, but they offer no such IR blocking and therefore contrast can suffer.

  • BP635 | Light Red Bandpass – High-Power Red LEDs

    BP635
    The BP635 filter is recommended for 610-650nm LED and laser diode lighting. Because of its broad bandwidth and high peak transmission, the single substrate, hard-coated BP635 works very well for all lighting applications in this range.The BP635 color wheel Colored longpass filters have long been recommended for use with monochrome cameras to aid in increased contrast and resolution. These filters block UV and shorter visible wavelengths, and pass longer wavelengths of light. Except in those few cases where an IR blocking or other shortpass filter is incorporated into the camera or sensor, we will often recommend the use of a broad color bandpass filter (whose designs incorporate these longpass filters) over color longpass filters alone.

  • BP850 |IR Bandpass Filter

    BP850
    To significantly improve and maximize contrast when working in the infrared, the use of a filter is almost mandatory. And when high-power LED lighting is being used, we recommends the use of our BP850 filter.High transmission and broad bandwidthIn well over 90% of all infrared inspection applications, 850nm or 880nm LEDs are employed. We often suggest our single substrate, hard-coated BP850 as it offers very high peak transmission (typically >99%) and the coatings used are very dense, hard and environmentally stable.

    While this filter’s bandwidth is quite broad, ANY camera’s sensitivity drops quickly beyond 880nm so there is normally little appreciable benefit in blocking these longer wavelengths… the camera sensor essentially takes care of this all by itself.

    Our BP850 IR filter with 850nm LED output curve.
    BP850 filter contrasted with typical 850nm LED output and CCD spectral sensitivity.

  • LA120 | Light Balancing Filter (minus Blue+)

    LA120
    Recommended for use with white 6500ºK LEDsUse with white LEDs
    After considerable testing, we found these single substrate, hard-coated filters to be preferred for use with white LED lighting when accurate color rendering is desired. White LEDs typically have a steep blue “spike” that results in a strong overall bluish cast to the subject being illuminated. Not only can this be disconcerting, poor color rendition may result in difficulties in some color inspection applications.While there currently are “warm white” LED lighting options available, they are significantly more expensive, have significantly lower output, a shorter lifetime, and often a slight bluish tint still remains. Using only an LA120 filter over the camera lens with standard, less expensive white LEDs works just as well and is far more cost effective.

    This same benefit can be seen when using an LA120 filter in subjects illuminated with some metal halide and mercury lighting as well.

  • LP340 |A/R coated Protective Window

    LP340
    LP340 single substrate, hard-coated filters essentially act as dust covers or lens protectors. The durable, broad band, multilayer hard coating applied to these filters insures greater than 98% transmission from 470 to 675nm and helps to eliminate reflected glare. Without the coating, transmission loss would normally be in excess of 8%. Note that these windows are not suitable for use at longer infrared wavelengths. 

     

     

  • LP920 | IR Dichroic Longpass Filter

    LP920

    Recommended for use with infrared LEDsThe single substrate, hard-coated LP920 IR Longpass filter has been designed for use with 940nm LED illumination. Its excellent lower wavelength blocking (10-5 blocking into the near-IR) allows these filters to block visible emissions (particularly the red “glow”) when placed in front of multi-spectral lighting used in semi-covert or photographic darkroom applications. Note that the “pink” reflective surface must be mounted facing toward the light source in these situations.It is also a useful filter for imaging applications which employ IR vidicon or InGaAs cameras.

  • Pi035 | IR Linear Polarizer

    Pi035

    PI035A general discussion about polarizers, how they work and their applications can be found in the “POLARIZING FILTERS” section of this web site (article to come). Although they will certainly transmit infrared light without any problem, visible polarizers do not work in the near infrared. We near-infrared polarizers are for use in the 850-2000nm range. The extinction ratio over this range is 1,000:1 to 10,000:1; polarizing efficiency is 99.9 to 99.99%.Single substrate lnfrared linear polarizers are sold in rotating mounts but are also available in “fixed” mounts. Once the filter is screwed into the lens, the upper portion of the mount that contains the linear polarizer can be easily rotated to find the optimum setting.Because the mount rotates freely, it may be possible to accidentally move the filter and adversely effect the system’s performance. For this reason, Our polarizers are supplied with locking thumbscrews to insure that jarring or accidental movement during cleaning does not result in a change in filter position.

    The appropriate filter position can be set by first screwing the filter into the mount all the way, and then while observing the image, rotating the filter until the glare disappears or is reduced as much as possible.

  • PR032 | Linear Rotating Polarizer

    PR032

    (with locking screw)Used to eliminate glare, a linear polarizer in a rotating mount offers flexibility and ease of use. Once the filter is screwed to the lens, the outer portion of the mount rotates freely. This facilitates determining the point where reduction of glare (or the contrast in stress patterns in glass or plastic materials) is maximized. However, because the mount rotates freely, it is also possible for vibration or other inadvertent interference to cause the filter to move from this position and adversely effect the system’s performance. For this reason, all our polarizers come with a locking thumbscrew to insure that jarring or accidental movement during cleaning does not result in a change in the filter’s position.

Filter Kits

  • FK100 | Filter Kits

    Filter KitsOur line of Filter Kits is designed to assist electronic imaging specialists, machine vision integrators and end users in evaluating and improving image quality.Each kit provides a selection of filters useful in observing the effects of different colors, wavelengths, light intensity and polarization on images obtained with various types of commonly used industrial cameras and lighting.The options provided by each kit allow you to select a filter or filter combination that might best solve your application problems.

    General Features:

    • Educational and general filter information to assist in determining what filter may be best for your application
    • A collection of up to 10 different filter types
    • Double-pocketed transparent vinyl pages, each holding one filter, corresponding transmission curve and table of data points describing each filter’s effects
    • Protective three ring binder

  • FS100 | Machine Vision Swatch Kit

    Filter Swatch KitThe FS100 Swatch Kit is designed to assist imaging specialists, machine vision integrators, and end users in evaluating & improving image quality. Each kit provides a selection of filters useful in observing the effects of different colors, wavelengths, light intensity and polarization on images obtained with various types of commonly used industrial cameras and lighting. Included are nine of the most popular 43mm bandpass filters and a rotating linear polarizer. Wavelength bell curves are conveniently located on all swatches along with a scan able QR to provide quick reference to additional information on that specific filter.FS100 – Machine Vision Swatch Kit includes:

    • BP324 – UV ‘A+B’ Bandpass
    • BP470 – Blue Bandpass
    • BP505 – Cyan Bandpass
    • BP525 – Light Green Bandpass
    • BP550 – NIR-UV Block/Visible Pass
    • BP590 – Orange Bandpass
    • BP635 – Light Red Bandpass
    • BP660 – Dark Red Bandpass
    • BP850 – IR Bandpass
    • PR032 – Rotating Linear Polarizer

Part numbers

Filters are designated by creating a part number which specifies the type of filter desired, coupled with the size required. For example: BP660-25.5 is the number for the 660nm bandpass filter for use with lenses having 25.5mm (M25.5xP0.5) filter threads.