1stVision Inc. - Machine Vision Articles - Page 2 of 61

January 27, 2026February 26, 2026

Opto Engineering liquid lenses for rapid focus adjustment

All of us machine vision practitioners know a thing or two about camera lenses. Some of us are optical engineers. Others are self-taught through reading and experience. Others let their systems designers choose the lens.

Ever need a fast focus change?

If your application does fine with a fixed focal lens, or a mechanically adjustable focus, that’s great. But some applications benefit from – or only become possible with – the ability to rapidly tune the focus. Enter liquid lenses, like Opto Engineering’s EL5MP and EL12MP.

EL5MP liquid lens – Courtesy Opto Engineering

Liquid lenses – from theory to commercial availability

Leonhard Euler (Euler’s equations, anyone?) did groundbreaking work in fluid dynamics in the 1700s. In 1859 Thomas Sutton used a glass sphere filled with water to create a lens. So the concepts for liquid lenses aren’t new. But they’ve only been commercialized in the last 20 years. Here’s a short video (3 minutes) featuring an early leader in liquid lenses, with a nice overview of the key concepts:

From theory to practice – a 5MP and 12MP liquid lens series

If you need fast focus (a few milliseconds) and high reliability (more than a billion cycle lifetime), Opto Engineering offers both a 5MP liquid lens series as well as a 12MP series. Each series provides several focal length options:

6mm for the 5MP series only
8mm for the 5MP series only
12mm for BOTH the 5MP and 12MP series
16mm for BOTH the 5MP and 12MP series
25mm for BOTH the 5MP and 12MP series
35mm for 12MP series only

Working distance coverage range

Across the two series, there are working distances on the near side from 60 – 200mm, depending on the specific model. At the far side the WD goes to infinity for each of the lenses. See the product comparison tables and data sheets at Opto Engineering EL5MP and EL12MP respectively.

More specs

The 5MP series is designed for sensors up to 2/3″. One exception: the 6mm focal length model is for sensors up to 1/1.8″.

The 12MP series is for sensors up to 1.1″.

Basis for liquid lens – Courtesy Opto Engineering

Liquid lens advantages vs. mechanical focus – Courtesy Opto Engineering

Low distortion is another advantage

Liquid lens image (left) has almost no distortion – another huge benefit – Courtesy Opto Engineering

What are the focus demands of your application?

Do you know your application’s focus requirements? Could you build a more effective application with faster focus? Reduce lens service and replacement intervals by switching from a mechanical to a liquid lens? Call us at 978-474-0044 to discuss options or get a quote.

Video presentation on Opto Engineering liquid lenses

Tradeshow presentation runs 14 minutes, if you want to do a deeper dive that way:

Courtesy Opto Engineering

Note: Over the years, various operating principles for liquid lenses have been introduced.

#OptoEngineering

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.

January 26, 2026

Ensenso 3D for logistics applications

Previously we’ve written about Ensenso series members, like the B-Series for closeup, the C-Series for color, or the whole Ensenso family (B, C, N, S, X, and XR). Or you may have read 3D scanning overviews. 3D applications are myriad, from medicine, industrial, robotics, and more.

Whether you are new to applying imaging to logistics, or looking to upgrade current systems, 3D machine vision continues to drive innovation and opportunities.

Materials handling in a warehouse – Courtesy IDS Imaging

In this piece we focus on logistics. Consider:

Conveyor object inspection and classification	depth data enables detection, sorting, and volume measurement
Bin-picking and parts handling	accurate depth perception helps robots identify and locate items in bulk containers
(De-) Palletizing automation	3D vision supports robot arms in stacking and unstacking pallets
Loading / Unloading trucks	3D object localization improves automation

Some popular logistics tasks supported by 3D imaging

Application areas

Detect and recognize
Bin picking
De-palletizing

Detect and recognize

The ability to accurately detect moving objects to select, sort, verify, steer, or count can enhance (or create new) applications. Ensenso C’s high-luminance projector enables high pattern contrast for single-shot images. Video courtesy of IDS Imaging.

Bin picking

Regardless of a robot’s gripping sensitivity, speed, and range of motion, 3D imaging accuracy is central to success. Ensenso C’s integrated RGB sensor can make all the difference for color-dependent applications. Video courtesy of IDS Imaging.

De-palletize

De-palletizing might seem like a straightforward operation, but must detect object size, rotation and position even with different and densely stacked goods. Ensenso supports all those requirements – even from a distance. Video courtesy of IDS Imaging.

How does stereo imaging work?

Two-eyed humans and other animals, as well as two-camera stereo systems, use triangulation to achieve depth perception. If a given point on an object’s surface is offset more from one sensor than another, the collection of all such measurements can be used to create a point cloud model of the 3D scene.

Note the differential offsets for the projection beams of two cones – Courtesy IDS Imaging

You’ve got options – multiple stereo imaging setups

IDS Imaging Ensenso 3D cameras and camera systems are built for industrial 3D imaging with a GigE interface for ease of setup. There are monochrome and color options, as well as hybrid/blended systems. Short-distance capabilities to a few millimeters. Long-distance systems with WD to 5 meters. Modular pre-housed systems. And ruggedized systems for harsh environments.

Ensenso product family – Courtesy IDS Imaging

Short distance applications – Courtesy IDS Imaging

Ensenso XR with working distance to 5m – Courtesy IDS Imaging

Want some help with your logistics systems planning?

Call us at 978-474-0044. Our sales engineers come from diverse machine vision backgrounds, and we stake our reputation on helping clients select the best components and systems.

January 7, 2026January 8, 2026

Drone detection event-based cameras from Prophesee

Event-based cameras outperform frame-based approaches for many applications. We provided insight to the event-based paradigm in a recent blog. Or download our whitepaper on event-based sensing.

In this piece, we focus on drone detection, a task at which event-based imaging excels. For full-impact, please view the following in full-screen mode using the “four corners” button.

Find the drone – Event-based approach beats frame-based method – Courtesy scientific paper attribution

As discussed in the event-based paradigm introductions links above, frame-based approaches would struggle to track a drone moving in a visually complex environment (above left), having to parse for drone shapes and orientations, occlusions, etc., even when most of the imagery is static.

Meanwhile, as seen in the event-based video (above right), the new paradigm only looks for “what’s changed”, which amounts to showing “what’s moving?”. For drone detection, as well as other perimeter intrusion applications, vibration monitoring, etc., that’s ideal.

1stVision represents Prophesee’s event-based sensors and cameras, built on neuromorphic engineering principles inspired by human vision. Call us at 978-474-0044 to learn more or request a quote.

For some applications, one only needs an event-based sensor – problem solved. For other applications, one might combine different imaging approaches. Consider the juxtaposition of three methods shown below:

Visible, polarization, and event-based approaches – Courtesy Prophesee and EOPTIC

The multimodal approach above is utilized in a proprietary system developed by EOPTIC, in which visible, polarization, and event-based sensors are integrated. For certain applications one may require the best of speed, detail, and situational awareness, for automated “confidence” and accuracy, for example.

Here’s another side-by-side video on drone detection and tracking:

Visible vs. (hybrid) event-based imaging – Courtesy Prophesee and NEUROBUS

The above-left video uses conventional frame-based imaging, where it’s pretty hard to see the drone until it rises above the trees. But the event-based approach used by Prophesee’s customer Neurobus, together with their own neuromorphic technologies, identifies the drone event amidst the trees – a level of early warning that could make all the difference.

By the numbers:

Enough with the videos – looks compelling but can you quantify Prophesee event-based sensors for me please?

Quantifying key attributes – Courtesy Prophesee

Ready to evaluate event-based vision in your application?

1stVision offers Prophesee Metavision® evaluation kits designed to help engineers and developers quickly assess event-based sensing for high-speed motion detection, drone tracking, robotics, and other dynamic vision applications. Each kit provides everything needed to get started with Prophesee’s Metavision technology, including hardware, software tools, and technical support from our experienced machine vision team. Request a quote to discuss kit availability, configuration options, and how we can help accelerate your proof-of-concept or system deployment.” – we can link that page with the kits.

Technical note: The GenX320 Starter kit for Raspberry Pi 5” utilizes the Sony IMX636 sensor, expressly designed for event-based sensing.

Kit or camera? You choose.

The kits described and linked above are ideal for those pursuing embedded designs. If you prefer a full camera – still very compact at less than 5cm per side – and you want a USB3 interface – see IDS uEye event-based cameras. You’ve got options.

January 6, 2026January 6, 2026

AVT updates bring new Alvium features

Here are some cool new features. At least they’re cool if you already use AVT Alvium cameras and want to get even more out of them. Conversely the features may get your attention to give Alvium a look for your next application.

We call out five specific new features (or feature sets):

Liquid lens autofocus controls – great for logistics applications: fast focus change
Power saving standby mode – heat minimization for embedded designs
Improved recovery from over-temperature power savings mode – automated recovery
More GenICam features for V4L2 Video for Linux – great to have Linux options
Additional registers and controls – if some DRA is good, more is better

… especially for the Alvium camera families, including USB3 and MIPI CSI-2, and 1 GigE and 5 GigE models.

Alvium USB3, MIPI CSI-2, 1 GigE and 5 GigE compact and powerful cameras – Courtesy AVT – a TKH brand

Call us at 978-474-0044 to speak to one of our experienced sales engineers. Or tell us what you’d like to know more about – whether concepts, features, or pricing – and we’ll get back to you:

Click to contact — Give us some brief idea of your application and we will contact you to discuss camera options.

Liquid Lens Autofocus Controls

If you’re new to liquid lenses, see our prior blog for examples and an overview. Liquid lenses can change focus within milliseconds, far faster than mechanical apertures.

Below you can see the hardware configuration, which new new autofocus controls can utilize.

So AVT provides the lens controlling capability on the camera side, and you can optionally connect a liquid lens if that would help your application. Naturally AVT Alvium cameras may also be used with conventional lenses, including S, CS, C, closed, open, and bare-board – range of options varies slightly by model. Please review when ordering or confer with us per adage “measure twice cut once”.

Power saving standby mode

There are at least to reasons why you might be interested in power savings. The layman’s view might be to preserve the environment or save on energy costs. But compact sensors and cameras don’t use a lot of power, often just +/- 1 watt. The primary motivator, for embedded systems designers, is to reduce heat, during periods when no imaging is required. That in turn enhances image quality and prolongs system life.

Power saving mode enabled vs. disabled – Courtesy AVT – a TKH Vision brand

Improved Recovery from over temperature mode

When the camera goes into over temperature mode, it automatically stops power draw as a self-protection mechanism. In firmware V13 this required a camera reboot to resume imaging. Now in V15 the camera resumes normal function without requiring reboot.

(More) GenICam features for V4L2 Video for Linux

If you favor video for Linux (V4L2) drivers and APIs for your development and production controls, below see GenICam features now available to you.

Additional Registers and Controls

In addition to all the registers previously available on Alvium’s MIPI CSI-2 cameras, below are a number of new registers, whose names suggest their meaning and use. One may control each feature through any of GenICam APIs, V4L2 Video for Linux, or by Direct Register Access (DRA) memory addressing. Whichever method you prefer.

New registers available for DRA – Courtesy AVT – a TKH Vision brand

Manuals for all AVT cameras and SDKs are downloadable, of course. Drill in on any feature or attribute of interest.

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