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

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025

245 MP SVS-Vistek SHR811 Super High Resolution Cameras

245 MP cameras in both monochrome and color models

SVS-Vistek, with 35 years experience developing machine vision cameras, releases their first SHR811 Super High Resolution cameras. Additional sensors and cameras will be released in the coming months. The first two SHR models, one each in monochrome and color, are based on the Sony IMX811 CMOS sensor.

Highlights at a glance (Left); LCD pixels (Right) – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

The right-hand image above may look like just a color grid – in fact it’s a segment of a 245 MP image from an LCD inspection application. So imagine a large HDTV or other flat panel showing a test pattern as part of post-production quality acceptance testing. The image is a segment of the inspection image showing just a subset grid of the activated pixels – at such resolution that machine vision algorithms can conclusively give each panel a clear pass or fail determination.

Frame rates to 12 fps might not sound impressive for certain applications, but for a 245 MP sensor, it’s pretty compelling. That’s achieved with the CoaXPress (CSP) interface.

For the SHR811 CCX12 COLOR camera

For the SHR811 MCX12 MONOCHROME camera

Applications and Examples

The series name – SHR – already suggests the applications for which these cameras are intended – Super High Resolution. You may have innovative applications of your own, but classical uses include:

Electronics and PCB inspection
Display inspection
Semiconductor wafer inspection
Microscopy
High-end surveillance

Applications and examples – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

Additional applications include microscopy and surveillance:

Technical details

Based on the Sony IMX411, this remarkable sensor is the key technology around which SVS-Vistek has designed the SHR811 launch-model camera.

This sensor has 62% higher pixel density than the highly-successful Sony IMX411 sensor, at 2x the framerate, and similar sensor size. So it’s a classic example of Moore’s Law, with size reduction and performance improvements, as Sony builds on its track record of innovation.

1stVision overview of the SHR811MCX12 monochrome camera

Features

As one would expect, there is a comprehensive feature set, including:

SHR feature overview – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

To highlight one specific feature, consider the Sequencer capability. It allows a single trigger to begin a series of timed exposures, as described in the following short video:

Setting the Sequencer – Courtesy SVS-Vistek

For full specifications, go to the SVS-Vistek SHR camera family, drill in to a specific model, and see or download PDF Datasheet, Manual, Technical Drawing, and/or Sensor Spec. Or just call us at 978-474-0044 and let us guide you.

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!

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June 4, 2025June 4, 2025

Collimated lighting important with telecentric lens

LTCLHP Collimated Light – Courtesy Opto Engineering

Machine vision practitioners, regardless of application or lens type, know that contrast is essential. Without sharp definition, features cannot be detected effectively.

When using a telecentric lens for precision optical 2-D measurements, ideally one should also use collimated lighting. Per the old adage about a chain being only as good as its weakest link, why invest in great lensing and then cut corners on lighting?

WITH collimated light expect high edge definition:

The cost of the light typically pays for itself relative to quality outcomes. Below see red-framed enlargements of the same region of a part being imaged by the same telecentric lens.

The left-hand image was taken with a conventional backlight – note how the light wraps around the edge, creating “confusion” and imprecision due to refracted light coming from all angles.

The right-hand image was obtained with a collimated backlight – with excellent edge definition.

Conventional backlight (left) vs. collimated backlight (right) – Courtesy Opto Engineering.

It all comes down to resolution

While telecentric imaging is a high-performance subset of the larger machine vision field in general, the same principles of resolution apply. It takes several pixels to confidently resolve any given feature – such as an edge – so any “gray areas” induced by lower quality lighting or optics would drag down system performance. See our blog and knowledge-base coverage of resolution for more details.

Collimated lighting in more detail

Above we see the results of using “diffuse” vs. “collimated” light sources, which are compelling. But what is a collimated light and how does it work so effectively?

UNLIKE a diffuse backlight, whose rays emanate towards the object at angles ranging from 0 to almost 180°, a collimated backlight sends rays with only very small deviations from perfectly parallel. Since parallel rays are also all that the telecentric lens receives and transmits on to the camera sensor, stray rays are mitigated and essentially eliminated.

The result is a high-contrast image which is easier to process with high-reliability. Furthermore, shutter speeds are typically faster, achieving necessary saturation more quickly, thereby shortening cycle times and increasing overall throughput.

Many lights to choose from:

The video below shows a range of light types and models, including clearly labeled direct, diffuse, and collimated lights.

Several light types – including clearly labeled collimated lights

[Optional] Telecentric concepts overview

Below please compare the diagrams that show how light rays travel from the target position on the left, through the respective lenses, and on to the sensor position on the far right.

A telecentric lens is designed to insure that the chief rays remain parallel to the optical axis. The key benefit is that (when properly focused and aligned) the system is invariant to the distance of the object from the lens. This effectively ignores light rays coming from other angles of incidence, and thereby supports precise optical measurement systems – a branch of metrology.

If you’d like to go deeper on telecentrics, see the following two resources:

Telecentric concepts presented as a short blog.

Alternatively as a more comprehensive Powerpoint from our KnowledgeBase.

Video: Selecting a telecentric lens:

Call us at 978-474-0044 to tell us more about your application – and how we can guide you through telecentric lensing and lighting options.

June 4, 2025June 4, 2025

HCN130x0 Hypercentric Nano lenses for cavity inspection

Nano hypercentric lenses designed for the inspection of small cavities and hollow parts with diameters from 0.75 to 10 mm. That’s the diameter of a drinking straw – and narrower!

HCN13010 and HCN13040 Nano Hypercentric lenses for small cavities – Courtesy Opto Engineering

Hypercentric lenses once more with feeling

Recently we introduced Opto Engineering’s HC hypercentric 360° lenses. They image cavity interiors from the outside by utilizing a specialized optical path that allows light to pass through bottlenecks and narrow openings. The variable iris provides maximum flexibility and a wide viewing angle to clearly image the fine details of the object. Their unique design facilitates complete internal surface inspection with no need to use a probe, rotate the object or use a complex multi-camera system.

HC 360° Series applications across whole lens family

HCN Hypercentric nano lenses inspect tiny cavities from the outside

Consider cavities as small as 0.75 mm (0.029 in) ranging up to 10 mm (0.39 in), for items in the order of a drinking straw diameter (and smaller). These interiors can be inspected from the outside looking in, with the HCN Series lenses.

2 minute overview of lenses for hollow-part inspection – Courtesy Opto Engineering

April 14, 2025April 14, 2025

Allied Vision Goldeye SWIR 5GigE Pro – Coming soon

Goldeye Pro 5GigE SWIR camera – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Vision brand

Coming soon – Goldeye Pro models with the TEC-version of Sony’s IMX992/993 SenSWIR sensors – tuned to 400nm – 1,700nm. We previously covered these sensors in Allied Vision’s compact uncooled Alvium cameras. Now Allied Vision brings these sensors to the Goldeye Pro lineup, with two important features: Thermoelectric cooling (TEC) and 5GigE interface.

1. Thermoelectric cooling (TEC)

Image quality is enhanced by thermoelectric cooling (TEC). Often paired with InGaAs sensors common in SWIR imaging cameras, Allied Vision now brings TEC to these CMOS Sony sensors. Why? Because cooling reduces thermal noise, creating a higher signal-to-noise ratio.

2. Fast 5GigE interface – framerates to 150fps

With the 5GigE interface, these SenSWIR cameras deliver frame rates above 100fps:

Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Vision brand

Visible vs. SWIR image pairs – Courtesy Allied Vision – a TKH Vision brand

But first, how about those SWIR images?

More about the new camera models in a moment, but first a reminder about SWIR. Short-wave infrared imaging enables machine vision applications beyond the visible portion of the spectrum.

Example applications

Per those striking image pairs at the top of the article, consider briefly:

Banknote validation: The SWIR application detects features unseen in the visible spectrum
Fluid fill levels: Able to see through even opaque plastic bottles, SWIR can monitor and control fill levels.
Materials detection: Whether for security or quality-control, many materials emit/reflect distinctly in the SWIR range, despite appearing identical under visible light.
Agriculture: Crop monitoring and irrigation applications are enabled by SWIR, which can detect moisture unseen by visible light. Fruit-sorting applications are also supported.

Back to the future

SWIR imaging isn’t new, but commercially it’s growing by leaps and bounds at present. Allied Vision has been an innovator and leader in SWIR for some time, and continues to expand their portfolio of SWIR cameras. While Allied Vision also offers SWIR capabilities in their compact Alvium models (with USB3, MIPI CSI-2, and GigE interfaces), their flagship SWIR offerings are found in the Goldeye product families.

The comprehensive Goldeye offering includes sensors that cover SWIR, XSWIR, and VSWIR portions of the spectrum. Some models are uncooled, while others provide cooling. You may know exactly what your application requires. Or you might appreciate our guidance.

More about Goldeye Pro 5GigE cameras

Noteworthy features include:

On-board automatic image correction

Stabilized sensor cooling without a fan

Lockable cable connectors

Power over Ethernet (PoE)

Spectral sensitivity

For full details…

This article was intended as a short overview of the new Goldeye Pro SWIR 5GigE cameras. See all Allied Vision Goldeye SWIR cameras, and Alvium SWIR cameras, including datasheets and comprehensive attributes. There are many choices now in SWIR, VSWIR, and XSWIR imaging. Tell us more about your application and we’ll be happy to advise.