1stVision, Author at 1stVision Inc. - Machine Vision Articles

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

uEye LIVE cameras video stream/record WITHOUT a PC

Do you seek a single-device solution for process monitoring – a video streaming/recording industrial camera without needing an additional PC? IDS uEye Live SCP | SLE compact industrial cameras enable monitoring tasks to be executed directly on the camera without the need for an additional PC.

If you aren’t using these yet…

Did you miss our blog that introduced them in late 2024? Did we highlight key features well enough:

Use cases – what would one do with this?

If you need to visualize, document, or monitor processes, this camera is quick to integrate and requires no programming. No PC is needed, as it’s a system on a chip, embedded in the camera.

Just as vehicle dashcams and video doorbells capture sequences that are useful to have documented, it can be useful to capture industrial processing sequences that would otherwise have been missed.

Whether for quality control, process improvement, compliance requirements, or liability, videos of “where it went wrong” can be incredibly valuable. Using the event recording feature, one may have a lookback window of recorded streaming, in order to go back and replay the sequence, extract frames, etc.

UEye SCP is the housed version:

It’s also available in space-saving board-level options (shown below), as well as a wash-down IP69K housed version (not shown here):

Process monitoring

Here’s a video focused on process monitoring applications with IDS uEye Live cameras. It’s the logical follow on video to the introductory video above:

Going further yet – from streaming to AI: scalable process monitoring

It doesn’t have to stop with “simple” industrial dashcam applications – though there’s nothing wrong with stopping there if you are getting good value. This segment goes on to introduce the concept of scaling up your processing monitoring, even to adding AI to interpret and act upon multiple live streams.

This video introduces how IDS industrial monitoring cameras enable scalable, network‑ready process monitoring – from simple streaming to advanced AI‑based analysis. You’ll learn how compressed video streaming, remote access and built‑in intelligence support a wide range of industrial and inspection tasks.

1st Vision’s sales engineers have over 100 years of combined experience to assist in your camera and components selection. With a large portfolio of cameras, lenses, cables, NIC cards and industrial computers, we can provide a full vision solution!

About you: We want to hear from you! We’ve built our brand on our know-how and like to educate the marketplace on imaging technology topics… What would you like to hear about?… Drop a line to info@1stvision.com with what topics you’d like to know more about.

#IDS

#uEyeLIVE

#industrialdashcam

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

AxCIS update – new models and feature callouts

We’ve provided product overviews and updates on Teledyne DALSA’s AxCIS Contact Image Sensor in prior blogs, including a recent one on applications.

New models and features

The AxCIS product family now includes color models in widths of 400mm, 600mm, and 800mm. Monochrome models are offered at 400mm and 800mm respectively. In imperial units that spans from 16 – 32 inches.

AxCIS provides selectable 28/42/56/84um pixel size and high speed 50/60/100/120kHzx3 via the Camera Link HS interface.

Lighting flexibility

While sensors and features are always big factors in machine vision, pros know that lighting is just as important. AxCIS’ designers provide users with considerable flexibility on lighting options.

AxCIS modules may be purchased either with or without lighting. The with-lighting option provides tremendous value and ease of deployment – when appropriate for your application.

Here’s a short video showing all that’s bundled into a CIS (including bundled lighting):

But lighting isn’t one size fits all

The bundled lighting referenced above would be ideal for bright-field illumination. But what if your application is best-served by dark-field lighting, or another approach? To review lighting, see our KB article on lighting techniques.

Since AxCIS modules may also be supplied without bright-field lighting, we offer coax and other lighting solutions suitable for dark field methods.

Lab testing available

If you are uncertain whether this could be your solution, or which components would be optimal, contact us to test your samples in the lab. You can send us parts and we’ll scan them, sending you the results and the optimal device recommendations and configurations. It’s a way to get proof of concept with a lot of the effort outsourced to us.

#AxCIS

#CIS

#Contactimagesensor

April 24, 2026April 24, 2026

IDS NION 3D Time of Flight camera | 1.2 MP Industrial ToF for Robotics and Automation

Next level time-of-flight – ToF. Nion combines spatial resolution of 1.2 MP (@30 fps) with reliable depth precision. Housed in a robust IP67 enclosure, Nion captures 3D for even fine structures – cost-efficiently.

Nion 3D ToF camera – Courtesy IDS Imaging

OnSemi AF0130 Hyperlux ID sensor

The AF0130 belongs to the Hyperlux ID family. It’s an Indirect Time of Flight (iToF) sensor, back side illuminated (BSI) CMOS global shutter depth and imaging solution. It calculates depth, confidence and intensity maps at high speeds from its laser modulated exposures.

Why is IDS Imaging introducing a ToF product

We’ve covered IDS evolving range of stereo vision 3D cameras previously, as recently as a few months ago, in Ensenso 3D for logistics applications.

But while powerful, stereo vision requires at least two cameras, and the corresponding electronics and software to synchronize the images and build the 3D model. So it can be overkill if you don’t need that level of performance.

With the Nion ToF product, IDS brings a more affordable 3D imaging solution to the market, which is more than good enough for many 3D applications .

The video below provides a nice overview. We tease out some of the key points in text and graphics further below, but you might like the dynamics of the video:

What’s inside that IP67 enclosure?

IP67 means dustproof and immersible in water to a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. That’s pretty robust. More than good enough for even the most challenging industrial environment, outdoor or wash down context.

Besides the tight enclosure, of course there’s a lens to focus the light source onto the sensor, electronics to support the GigE Vision interface, the sensor is the heart of the matter.

Exploded view of Nion camera – Courtesy IDS Imaging

Highest resolution industrial ToF camera

As this blog is released in April 2026, this is the highest resolution industrial ToF camera on the market.

In-sensor readout/storage reduces motion artefacts

To calculate a single depth value, four coordinated exposures with different phase positions (typically 0°, 90°, 180° and 270°) are usually necessary. These four signals are then used to calculate the phase shift – and thus the distance. Thanks to its special pixel architecture and integrated on-chip processing, the AF0130 iToF sensor captures all four phase images in quick succession and stores them directly and completely in the chip’s memory – without any intermediate readout.

This significantly shortens the time between exposures and noticeably reduces motion blur. Another advantage of continuous reading: The depth information can be efficiently re-sorted and directly processed further – without time-consuming post-processing. This not only makes the camera more robust against movement, but also enables higher frame rates and reduces the load on the host system. This is a decisive advantage, particularly in dynamic applications such as robotics, logistics or pick-and-place.

Hyperlux technology by onsemi reduces motion artefacts — Courttesy IDS Imaging

Key takeaways on motion artefact reduction are:

Boiling the above section down to key takeaways, we note:

Multi-phase demodulation (four, to be specific)
Reduced motion artefacts in dynamic scences

Suggested Markets

Just to whet the appetite, we call out logistics, robotics, medical, and manufacturing as sectors where affordable ToF 3D imaging can deliver value on investment. But of course you may have 3D applications in mind in another sector.

#3D

#Nion

#ToF

#timeofflight

#IDSImaging

March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

Varifocal lenses: What are they and how do they differ from a Zoom lens?

In machine vision, historically there is a preponderance of fixed focal length (FFL) lenses, also know optically as a prime lens. They are less complex to design and manufacture, and are high-performance in terms of image sharpness and ability to accept wide aperture options for low-light applications. FFL lenses are typically are set for a designed FOV and WD and don’t have flexibility on focal lengths. If your application is like that, lucky you.

But my application isn’t like that!

You may have a factory production monitory project, for example. You know the general dimensions of the layout and the approximate camera mounting position. But you have limited time to configure and deliver proof of concept or acceptance testing. so you want to show up with everything you need to achieve good outcomes, instead of guessing wrong on a fixed focal length lens and having to exchange it.

Whatever your planned application, you know the optical “neighborhood” but need the flexibility to fine-tune in the field.

Zoom lens

A zoom lens remains in focus across a range of focal lengths, and is often remotely controlled. Likewise it’s also often motorized. So they tend to be large(ish), heavier, more complex to design, and are more expensive than a fixed-focal length lens.

In the illustration above, notice how the light rays entering from the right range from a wide field of view (FOV) at the top to a narrow FOV at the bottom. That’s a consequence of the changing focal length. It’s an asset if you need that behavior. Or a liability if you don’t

This blog is about varifocal lenses, so that’s all we’ll say about zoom lenses here. But the “different focal lengths” and “different FOV” concepts also apply to varifocal lenses, so it’s worth noting points of overlap.

Varifocal lens

A varifocal lens is designed to hit the sweet spot between fixed focal length vs. zoom. By spanning a (modest) range of focal lengths, a varifocal lens can be adapted in the field to optimize for observed conditions.

You might not know at design time exactly what final focal length you’ll choose, so a range of coverage lets you tune as you deploy and run acceptance tests. It also means the same lens could be used for a year or more in one setting – then loosen a set screw, refocus, and tighten the set screw and the same lens performs great in the new context.

Example: per red ellipses markup, this lens offers focal lengths from 4.4 – 11mm – Courtesy Kowa

But unlike a big motorized zoom, the varifocal lens is often* manually adjusted. And it’s typically modest in size, weight, design complexity, and cost.

(*) EXCEPTION! The Optotune electrically tunable series describe below uses liquid lens technology for autofocus within milliseconds.

Enough concept already – what varifocal lenses are available?

Below we present and link to three different varifocal product lines carried by 1stVision. We sequence by alphabetical order, but each series has its own value proposition, depending on your application needs:

Kowa LMVZ Varifocal Lenses

Kowa’s LMVZ varifocal lenses are designed for machine vision, industrial inspection, and surveillance applications. Their adjustable focal length design allows integrators to fine-tune field of view without changing lenses.

Kowa varifocal machine vision lens — Kowa LMVZ varifocal lenses – optionally with IR correction for VIS + SWIR – Courtesy Kowa

Optotune Focus Tunable Lenses

Optotune is an industry leader in focus tunable lenses. Many are electrically tunable, utilizing liquid lens technology. They also offer a manually tunable lens.

Optotune tunable lenses — A focus tunable lens
– Courtesy Optotune

Unlike manually tunable varifocals, the EL series offers fast, precise autofocus in milliseconds with no moving mechanics.

Tamron Vari-Focal Lens Series

The Tamron vari-focal series is designed for high-resolution IP and security surveillance cameras. These lenses offer flexible focal length adjustment for both wide-area coverage and detailed zoom.

Tamron varifocal machine vision lens series — Mega Pixel varifocal lens series – Courtesy Tamron

Select IR-corrected models enable true day/night performance, while compact, durable construction ensures dependable operation in commercial, industrial, and municipal security installations.

Optics is partly physics and science…

But it’s also engineering, and performance requirements, and budget, and experiential knowledge. If you’ve got a lot of all that in your wheelhouse, just call for a quote at 978-474-0044. Or if you’d like some help in choosing, call that same number and tell us a little about your application. Either way, we’re here for you. For lenses, cameras, and more.

#varifocalmachinevisionlens

#zoommachinevisionlens

#optotune

#kowa

#tamron